Spain Au Pair Visa 2026: Apply With Immigration Lawyer Support

An au pair arrangement allows a foreign national to live with a Spanish host family, help with childcare and light household duties, and experience Spanish language and culture. Spain does not have a standalone visa category in 2026 specifically called an Au Pair Visa.

The Spanish immigration regulation currently in force, Royal Decree 1155/2024, no longer expressly refers to study visas for au pairs. However, certain Spanish consular authorities continue to publish a specific procedure for au pair applicants using the Spain study visa framework.

For example, the Spanish Consulate in Washington, D.C. in the United States mentions that a non-EEA/Swiss national wishing to come to pain as an au pair may apply for a study visa for qualifying courses (such as a Spanish language study course) of at least 20 hours per week, provided they meet the applicable study visa requirements.

The au pair arrangement must be a genuine collaborative relationship between the applicant and their host family in Spain, rather than an employer-employee relationship in a salaried employment scenario. The au pair will usually receive accommodation with the host family, meals and pocket money rather than a salary.

If you are an EU citizen, you will not require a visa to work as an Au Pair in Spain. However, there are certain eligibility requirements which you will still have to satisfy.

Page Contents

• Is There an Au Pair Visa for Spain in 2026?
• Do Au Pairs Need to Study in Spain?
• Eligibility Requirements for Spain Au Pair Visa
• Application Process for an Au Pair Visa in Spain
• Required Documents for Spain Au Pair Visa
• What Must Be Included in an Au Pair Agreement in Spain?
• Application Processing Time
• Visa Fees and Costs
• How Total Law Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

For applicants using the Spanish study visa routes for an au pair placement, qualifying study courses form part of the Spain immigration requirement.

You must meet the eligibility and documentation requirements for your applicable study visa route in addition to providing the Au Pair Collaboration Agreement.

You must arrange for the course before you submit your Spain visa application, such as obtaining the required acceptance from a qualifying Spanish educational institution or enrolment documentation.

Speak to our team on +34 919015010 to understand the exact requirements for the course and supporting evidence before you apply.

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
• Secure an au pair placement with a host family in Spain
• Obtain admission to an authorised educational institution for qualifying full-time studies, such as a Spanish language course
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover your living expenses in Spain and return journey without relying on public assistance. In 2026, the standard requirement is 100% of the monthly IPREM, currently €600 per month
• Have valid health insurance
• Meet the general student visa requirements, including applicable criminal record and medical certificate requirements

If you are an EU citizen and wish to work and study in Spain as an au pair, you will need to satisfy most of the above criteria, such as age (17-30 years) and a clean criminal record. However, since EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa to live, work or study in Spain, you will not have to enrol in an educational course.

If you are a non-EU citizen, there are a number of steps which you will need to complete to work as an Au Pair in Spain:

Step 1: Choose a suitable host family in Spain. 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. Both you and the host family must sign the agreement.

Step 2: Enrol in an eligible educational programme in Spain, within commutable distance of your host family.

Step 3: Prepare the au pair agreement and other supporting documents required to apply for a student visa in Spain.

Step 4: Apply for the relevant Spanish study visa through the consulate responsible for your place of residence. The exact submission procedure and supporting documents vary by consular jurisdiction. Attend your visa appointment and provide biometrics, if required.

Step 5: If your application is approved, you will receive the relevant long-stay visa. Travel to Spain and complete any applicable residence formalities.

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 per the Spain immigration authority’s specifications
• Signed Au Pair agreement with your host family outlining the shared expectations and your duties. 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 of sufficient financial means to cover your stay and return journey
• Medical certificate
• Spanish private health insurance
• A clean criminal record check certificate
• Proof of accommodation, where separately requested

If there are any missing documents or the consulate need any additional evidence based on your circumstances, you will likely be asked to provide the same. If you fail to do so within the stipulated deadline, your application will be refused.

Foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled where required and, where applicable, submitted with an official Spanish translation. EU public documents may be exempt from legalisation requirements.

A written Au Pair Collaboration Agreement should be prepared with the host family and submitted alongside the other documents required for the relevant visa application. The agreement should clearly establish the conditions of the placement and demonstrate that the arrangement is an au-pair collaboration rather than standard employment.

The agreement should include:

• The names of the au pair and host family.
• The duration of the placement, which can be for a maximum of one year.
• The household services or chores the au pair will provide, which should not exceed five hours per day.
• At least one full day off each week.
• The address where the au pair will live with the host family and a reasonable degree of independence.
• The host family’s commitment to provide sufficient time for the au pair to attend courses and develop their cultural and professional knowledge.
• The amount of monthly pocket money the au pair will receive.
• A provision allowing either party to terminate the agreement by giving two weeks’ notice.

The agreement must be in Spanish. The Spanish Consulate in Washington also advises that the host family’s signature may be legitimised before a Spanish notary, although it states that this is advisable rather than mandatory.

In general, you should receive a decision on your application within 2-6 weeks from your application submission. However, this may take longer if additional information is required or if your concerned Spanish consulate is handling a high number of other Spain visa applications at the same time.

To avoid unnecessary delays, make sure to submit your application correctly, including all necessary documentation, and to promptly provide any additional information if requested.

The Spanish Au Pair visa fee may vary depending on the location where you submit your application, such as:

• US: USD $119.5
• UK: £345
• Australia: AUS $352.75
• Most other locations: €90

Different fees may apply to nationals of certain countries under Spain’s reciprocity rules, so you should check the applicable consular fee in your country of residence before applying.

In some cases, you may also choose to pay for legal assistance with your application. Contact Total Law today on +34 919015010 to learn more about our packages.