Essential Documents for Au Pairs in France 🇫🇷📄
Welcome to France! 🇫🇷✨ As an au pair, your adventure begins not only with a new culture, a host family, and maybe a little stress, but also with a good amount of paperwork. To avoid any surprises, it’s important to have all the necessary documents ready when you arrive. Here’s an essential checklist of the papers you must have and the steps to take as soon as possible!
Allison Marton
3/3/20252 min read
1. Your Passport and Visa ✈️
This is the most important thing! To enter and stay in France, you must have a valid passport, and if you’re from a non-EU country, a long-stay "jeune au pair" visa.
💡 Good to know:
➡️ Once you arrive in France, your visa must be validated on the OFII website within 3 months.
➡️ Make several copies of your passport and visa in case of loss or theft.
2. The Au Pair Agreement 📄
Before your arrival, your host family and you must sign an au pair contract (Cerfa form n°15973). This official document defines your rights and responsibilities, including:
✔️ Your working hours
✔️ Your pocket money
✔️ Your days off
✔️ Your enrollment in French classes
💡 Tip: Always keep a paper and digital copy of this document!
3. Health Insurance and Social Security 🏥🩺
Health coverage is essential! Once in France, you must complete several steps to ensure you are properly insured.
🔹 Carte Vitale (French Social Security):
➡️ Your host family is usually responsible for applying for it through the CPAM (French health insurance). However, you must make sure the process is done!
➡️ The application requires several documents (copy of passport, au pair contract, proof of address, bank details, birth certificate, etc.).
➡️ Processing can take several months, so ask for a temporary health coverage certificate while you wait.
🔹 Health insurance (mutuelle):
➡️ It covers costs that Social Security doesn’t. Some host families pay for it, otherwise, you can subscribe to a plan for au pairs.
🔹 Private insurance:
➡️ Useful while waiting for the Carte Vitale, it covers medical expenses, hospitalization, and liability.
💡 Tip: Always keep a copy of your insurance certificate and your Carte Vitale on your phone!
4. A French Bank Account 💳
If your host family pays your pocket money by bank transfer, you’ll need a French bank account. To open one, you’ll need:
✔️ Your passport
✔️ Proof of address (your host family can provide one)
✔️ Your au pair contract
Some banks offer special deals for young foreigners, so compare before choosing!
5. A French SIM Card 📱📞
To avoid expensive international charges, you’ll need a French phone number. You have two options:
🔹 Prepaid SIM card: No contract, ideal for short stays.
🔹 Monthly plan: Cheaper for a full year but requires a French bank account.
💡 Tip: Make sure your phone is unlocked before coming to France!
6. Proof of Address 🏠📑
This will be required for various administrative processes (banking, Social Security, phone plan…). Your host family can provide:
✔️ A housing certificate
✔️ A utility bill (electricity, internet) in their name
Conclusion 🎯
Moving to France as an au pair is an amazing experience, but you must have all the necessary paperwork to avoid any administrative headaches!
✅ Passport and visa
✅ Au pair contract
✅ Health insurance and Carte Vitale (make sure your host family applies for it!)
✅ Bank account and phone plan
✅ Proof of address
By handling these formalities in advance, you’ll be able to enjoy your adventure with peace of mind! 🌍💙
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