Au Pair Visa Spain
Spain is a popular European country with a rich culture, numerous areas of natural beauty, and excellent education opportunities. As such, many young people looking to Au Pair overseas choose Spain as their destination.
However, as Spain does not have a direct visa route for Au Pairs, navigating the visa application process can often be complicated. At Total Law, our legal experts are adept at helping prospective Au Pairs navigate this process. Contact us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more about our services and how we can help make your application journey as smooth as possible.
What is an Au Pair Visa in Spain?
Spain does not offer an official Au Pair visa. As such, if you are looking to work as an Au Pair in Spain, you will likely need to apply for a Student visa (Type D). This visa type allows you to live in Spain and work as an AU Pair for up to 1 year.
As an Au Pair, you will live with a Spanish host family where you will be expected to help with domestic chores such as childcare and cooking. In return, you will receive free accommodation, regular meals, and an authentic experience of living in Spain and Spanish culture. While working as an Au Pair is not a formal work position and so you will not be entitled to a salary, you should expect to receive some spending money from your host family (generally around €50-100 a week).
If you are an EU citizen, you will not require a Student visa in order to work as an Au Pair in Spain. However, there are still certain eligibility requirements which you will need to satisfy, as outlined in the next section.
Eligibility Requirements for Spain Au Pair Visa
In order to be eligible to work as an Au Pair in Spain as a non-EU citizen, there are a number of eligibility criteria which you will need to satisfy. These are as follows:
- Be 17-30 years of age
- Be enrolled in a Spanish educational course (e.g. a Spanish or Catalan language course) which is at least 20 hours a week. You will only be able to work as an Au Pair in an area where such a course is available
- Speak English, French, or German
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have a school certificate or higher educational degree
- Be able to cover the expenses associated with being a Spanish Au Pair (visa and travel costs, for example)
If you are an EU citizen and wish to enrol in a Spanish Au Pair programme, you will still need to satisfy a number of criteria. Specifically, you will need to be 17-30 years of age, speak one of the above languages, and have a clean criminal record. You will not need to enrol in an educational course, however, because as an EU citizen you will not need to apply for a Student visa in order to live and work in Spain as an Au Pair.
Application Process for Obtaining Au Pair Visa in Spain
If you are a non-EU citizen, there are a number of steps which you will need to complete in order to work as an Au Pair in Spain.
Firstly, you will need to choose a host family for whom to Au Pair. This can be done online, using websites such as aupair.com. If a match is found, you should make sure to obtain an Au Pair Agreement where the expectations and duties are clearly outlined and both you and the host family sign the agreement.
Next, you should enrol in a Spanish educational course which is at least 20 hours a week, within commutable distance of your host family.
Once these steps have been completed, you can now apply for a Student visa. You can do so via your local Spanish embassy or consulate. You will be required to provide all of the necessary documentation.
When your application has been submitted, it will then be processed. If your application is successful, you will receive a visa which will allow you to enter Spain and work for an Au Pair for up to 1 year.
Required Documents for Spain Au Pair Visa
There are a number of documents which you will need to provide in order to apply for a Spanish Au Pair visa. In general, you will need to provide the following:
- A valid passport
- Passport photo, to the Spanish specifications
- Au Pair Agreement with your host family outlining the shared expectations and your duties. Both parties should sign this agreement. This serves as your Au Pair contract and offers you legal protection if anything goes wrong during your stay
- Confirmation of acceptance on a Spanish course
- Proof you have the financial means to cover the costs associated with being a Spanish Au Pair, e.g. the ability to pay for travel to and from Spain
- Medical certificate
- Spanish private health insurance
- A clean criminal record check certificate
- In the case of stays which are shorter than 6 months, a notarised invitation letter from your host family
If there are any missing documents, you will likely be asked to provide the missing information. If you fail to do so, your application will not be successful.
Note that all documents should be translated into Spanish by an authorised translation service.
Cost of Visa Fee
The cost of a Spanish Student visa varies depending on a number of factors, but will generally cost around €80. There will likely also be a number of other costs associated with your application, such as the cost of obtaining Spanish health insurance and of translating your documents into Spanish.
In some cases, you may also choose to pay for legal assistance with your application. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more about our own packages and to help ensure that your application runs as smoothly as possible.
Application Processing Time
In general, you should receive a decision on your application within 1 month of applying. However, this may take longer if additional information is required or if a high number of other applications are being processed at the same time.
In order to avoid delays, make sure to submit your application correctly, including all necessary documentation, and to promptly provide any additional information which is requested.
Applying For the Non-EU Spouse Visa
You can start your visa application once your partner obtains the initial family reunification permit. You have two months from receipt of the permit to file your visa application. If you do not submit your application within two months, your partner will have to start the process all over.
You must make an appointment to submit your application in person at the Spanish consulate or visa application centre in your home country. You may be required to attend an interview where a consular officer will ask specific questions and take your biometric data.
How Total Law Can Help
Spain is a beautiful country which boasts a warm climate, a rich culture, numerous travel opportunities, and excellent education facilities. For many young people looking to Au Pair abroad, Spain is a popular choice.
However, applying for a visa to Au Pair in Spain can often be complicated. If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to satisfy a range of criteria in order to be eligible. To receive guidance on navigating the application process, contact Total Law today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375. We offer a wide range of services and can help you every step of the way.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is not a fixed number of hours which Au Pairs work in Spain. This will depend on your agreement with the host family, which should be put in writing via an Au Pair Agreement. However, note that working as an Au Pair is not a salaried position and so you should not generally be expected to work full time. Additionally, if you are a non-EU citizen then you will also need to complete a Spanish educational course alongside your Au Pair duties and this course should be at least 20 hours per week. As such, your Au Pair duties will need to be balanced alongside your study obligations.
The exact role of an Au Pair varies between host families and will depend on the particular agreement which you reach. However, being an Au Pair broadly involves helping with domestic tasks in the host family’s household, such as childcare, cleaning, and cooking. The specific expectations and duties will vary from family to family, however. These expectations and duties should be clearly outlined before you arrive and should be included in your Au Pair Agreement, which both you and the host family should sign.
For non EU citizens wishing to Au Pair in a specific area of Spain where there are no educational courses within commutable distance, it will not be possible to Au Pair in that area. Before agreeing to an Au Pair Agreement, it is essential that you check there are viable educational courses within the local area.
If you are an EU citizen, you will not need to enrol in an educational course in order to Au Pair in Spain. This is because you will not need to apply for a Student visa; your EU citizenship means that you can live and work in Spain without requiring a visa in order to do so. This means that, even if there are no courses available in your preferred area of Spain, you will still be able to Au Pair in that area.
There are many reasons for visa refusal after you have submitted your application. If your application for an Au Pair visa is unsuccessful, you will receive the reasons for this decision in writing. You also have the right to appeal the decision.
At Total Law, we offer an Appeal package for situations like this. We can help you understand what went wrong the first time around and represent you during the Appeal process, maximising your chances of a successful appeal. We can also help you to resubmit your application if you choose this option instead of appealing the original decision. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.