Au Pair in the United Kingdom: rules and requirements after Brexit

If you're looking for requirements to be an au pair in the United Kingdom, here's the honest answer: as an Italian citizen, today, there is no au pair visa. After Brexit (1 January 2021) the British government no longer provides any dedicated entry route, and anyone arriving as a tourist cannot work in a family, not even in exchange for board and lodging. Let's see what the rules say, who can really do it, and what might change.

Can you be an au pair in the United Kingdom if you're Italian?

It depends on your status. The United Kingdom does not recognise au pair as a separate immigration category: to work in a family you need a right of residence that allows you to work. There are three situations:

• You have Settled or Pre-settled Status (EU Settlement Scheme): you can work freely, so also as an au pair. But the programme closed for those not residing in the United Kingdom by 31 December 2020, so it's not a new route.
• You have British or Irish citizenship: no restrictions.
• You are an Italian citizen without any of these statuses: today you have no legal channel to be an au pair.

Why arriving as a tourist is not enough

From 2 April 2025, Italian citizens must apply online for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before departure. It costs £20 according to the official British government website and is valid for up to 6 months for each stay. But it is a travel authorisation, not a work permit: with an ETA you cannot perform paid or unpaid work for a family or business in the United Kingdom.

The same rule applies to the Standard Visitor visa: for any other activity, paid or unpaid, you need a work visa. Working as an au pair