Looking for an au pair in Lisbon? Start with the legal setup, not the agency
By Alma Circle
Updated
An au pair can look like a simple answer to childcare and household logistics, but Portugal is not a country where families should assume there is a standard 'au pair visa' or one official programme.
Before choosing an agency or matching platform, work out whether the person already has a lawful basis to live and work in Portugal and what the real working relationship will be. The legal setup matters more than the label.
The short answer
Portugal does not currently have a specific residence permit for the au pair category. An official European Migration Network response for Portugal states that the country chose not to transpose the au pair category from Directive 2016/801 and therefore has no dedicated residence permit for it.
That means a commercial au pair listing or matching service does not solve immigration or employment compliance. For a non-EU candidate in particular, confirm the person's lawful residence and work basis before agreeing a placement.
Do not confuse the cultural-exchange idea with the legal arrangement
The traditional au pair concept combines childcare, living with a host family and cultural exchange. In Portugal, however, the absence of a dedicated au pair residence route means the actual legal relationship has to be assessed under the person's existing immigration status and the work being performed.
Do not rely on advice that simply copies au pair rules from France, Germany or another country. Use AIMA or qualified immigration advice for residence questions and Portuguese employment guidance for the work arrangement.
Agency, platform or direct referral?
A matching service can still be useful for discovery, interviews and references. Commercial platforms such as AuPair.com currently list Portugal placements, while some nanny agencies may also discuss live-in childcare or family-assistant profiles.
Treat every commercial provider as a matching channel rather than a legal authority. Ask exactly what they verify, whether they support contracts, what happens if the match ends early and which parts of immigration or employment compliance remain the family's responsibility.
Put the whole arrangement in writing
Before travel or move-in, write down the schedule, childcare duties, household tasks, private-room arrangement, meals, time off, holidays, transport, language-study expectations, compensation and termination process.
If the role looks more like regular paid childcare or domestic employment than a limited cultural-exchange arrangement, treat that seriously. Portuguese Social Security has specific employer obligations for domestic-service employment, and the correct classification should reflect what is actually happening rather than the title on the agreement.
- Exact weekly hours and genuinely protected time off.
- Childcare versus household duties.
- Private accommodation and house rules.
- Compensation and payment timing.
- Travel and transport responsibilities.
- Insurance and healthcare arrangements.
- Notice period and what happens if either side ends the placement.
Interview for living compatibility, not only childcare
A live-in placement changes the whole household. Ask about sleep schedules, privacy, guests, meals, weekends, phone use while caring for children, social life and how much shared family time each side actually wants.
Two people can agree completely on childcare and still be a poor live-in match. The aim is not to create a fake family relationship on day one. It is to make boundaries explicit enough that warmth has room to develop without resentment.
Verify the same basics you would verify for any caregiver
Check identity, recent childcare references, age-specific experience and any first-aid claims. Portugal's official criminal-record service allows adults to obtain their own certificate, and third-party requests require authorisation under the official process.
If the candidate is already in Portugal, meet in person and spend time together with the children before making a live-in commitment. If they are abroad, do several video conversations and speak directly to previous families.
Red flags to take seriously
Be cautious if a provider or candidate promises that the phrase 'au pair' automatically creates a visa route, if working hours are deliberately vague, or if the arrangement depends on unpaid overtime becoming normal.
- No clear lawful residence or work basis.
- No written schedule or compensation terms.
- Childcare duties quietly expanding into unrestricted household labour.
- No private space in a live-in arrangement.
- Pressure to commit before reference checks.
- A commercial agency presenting itself as the final authority on immigration status.
Is there an official au pair visa for Portugal?
Portugal does not currently have a specific residence permit for the au pair category. Immigration status must be established through another lawful route that fits the person's situation.
Can I use an au pair agency in Lisbon?
You can use an agency or platform for matching, but do not assume the provider resolves immigration or employment compliance. Ask exactly what the service covers and verify the legal setup separately.
Should an au pair agreement be written?
Yes. Put hours, duties, accommodation, compensation, time off, insurance, transport and termination terms in writing before the placement starts.
What if I really need a full-time nanny rather than cultural exchange?
Then hire for the role you actually need. A regular professional nanny arrangement may be clearer and more appropriate than trying to fit full-time childcare into an au pair label.