Au-Pair in Spain
Au-Pair in Spain
Becoming an Au-Pair in Spain offers you a lot of advantages. Spanish is one of the most spoken languages around the world, with over 470 million native speakers. It is also the official language in 20 countries. The best way to learn it is to work as an Au-Pair in Spain!
During your experience, you can discover a new culture and travel to cities like Barcelona, Sevilla and Madrid. And of course, you will be able to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle. You need more reasons to start the Au-Pair program? Here you are:
- pocket money paid by the Host Family
- free board and accommodation
- the option to attend a language course
- language exposure by native speakers
- gain experience in childcare and add a valuable point to your CV
Au-Pair in Spain: Facts & info
Age: 18-30 years old- Length of stay: 3-12 Months
- Working hours: 30 hours per week
- Holiday: You will get 4 free weeks during a 12 months stay. You will also have at least one day off each week. Once a month, this day should be a Sunday.
- Traveling expenses: covered by the Au-Pair
- Insurance: You need to register with the National Health Service and Social Services (“Social Security”). If you are from a European Union member country, you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card. Otherwise, you will need to get a private insurance.
- Pocket money: 210-280 € per month.
- Visa requirements: If you have a EU citizenship you do not require a visa. In other cases, you will either need an Au-Pair visa or a Student visa with a work permit.
Age: 18-30- Single and with no children of your own
- Experience in childcare
- Language: Advanced Spanish
- Driving license: not mandatory (but it's always an advantage)
- Health certificate and no psychological problems in the last 3 years
- Non Smoker
- Duration of the stay: at least 6 months, ideal 9-12 months (Summer 2-3 Months)
Generally, you can find a family in Spain on your own, for example with an online-matching platform like AuPair.com. In this case you would need to register, create an appealing profile and get in touch with families. The system will generate you a list with matching families who meet your search criteria. However you can of course hire a full-service agency which will provide you with more support during the process. Below you can find the according steps:
1. Application
Send your application to the agency and wait for confirmation. Once you have gathered all the documents, the agency will send your profile to their partner in Spain and start looking for a family.
2. Looking for a Host Family
The partner agency in Spain will look for a family for you and send them your application!
3. Placement
If the Host Family is interested, the agency will send you their application so you can plan a video call. If you reach an agreement, then congratulations!
4. Visa
You can live the experience by applying for the Au-Pair visa or the Student visa in your country if you need one.
5. Departure
Book a flight and get ready for sunny Spain! The agency will give you the contact information from their partner in Spain so you can contact them in case of emergency or doubts.
If you do not hold a European Union passport, you need a visa to enjoy the adventure in Spain. However, there are different types of visa available depending on your nationality.
You should make sure to get in touch with the Spanish embassy in your country of residence as early as possible.
AUSTRALIA
If you are Australian and you want to stay more than 90 days in Spain, then you can apply for an Au-Pair visa. You will need to submit the application in the Spanish Embassy in Canberra with evidence of funds, round trip tickets, travel insurance and a medical certificate.
You can also apply for a Young Mobility visa. This visa allows you to study and work in Spain for up to 1 year. Consider that with this visa you will not be able to stay with the same host family for more than 6 months.
Check all the requirements at the Spanish Embassy website.
CANADA
If you are Canadian, you can apply for a Young Mobility Program. For this visa you need to be 18-35 years old, have a valid passport, have sufficient funds to return to Canada, prove you have financial resources for the first months in Spain and have a medical insurance.
NEW ZEALAND
If you are from New Zealand, you can apply for a Working Holiday visa to be an Au-Pair in Spain. You need to be at least 18 and not older than 30 years old, have enough money for a return ticket and to sustain yourself and have a health insurance.
Consider you can only have the Working Holiday Visa once. You can also stay a maximum of 6 months with the same family.
USA
American citizens can live the experience in Spain for up to 90 days without needing a visa. If you want to stay longer, you will need an Au-Pair visa. The general requirements for this visa include being between 17 and 30 years old, proof of health insurance and means of support and valid passport.
You can apply for the visa at the Spanish Embassy and Consulates. Read more information at the official migration website.
Other nationalities:
if you have any other nationality, you will need a student visa with a work permit. Please keep in mind that you will need a valid passport and an enrollment confirmation from a recognised institution.
You can check all the student visa requirements in the Spanish Embassy at your home country.
Insurance:
European Union citizens can get the European Health Insurance Card for their stay. However, citizens from other countries require a private health insurance.
Testimonials
“I was totally excited to be in the Host Country and wondered about so many things, but I love the country, the region, the culture, the language and the people. During these months Spain became a home away from home.” – Larissa, Au-Pair in Spain
Au-Pair Workshops
Some Au-Pair agencies organize information meetings for all those who want to discover more about the program in Spain.
To help you get ready for your trip, agencies also offer workshops in which you will learn more about the daily life of an Au-Pair and your responsibilities. You will get ideas for children games and get advice on how to deal with homesickness and adapt to your new home. Get your chance to also talk about your worries, if you have any, and feel free to ask as many questions as possible.
If your agency does not offer such an event you can get the most important information from the website of AuPair.com though. Have a look at their Wiki section since this will explain a lot!
