Login
Au Pair in Spain: Visa & Legal Steps
This guide outlines all visa requirements and legal procedures for becoming an Au Pair in Spain. It is important to note that Spain does not have a specific "Au Pair Visa," as the program is managed under the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement. Non-EU participants must generally apply for a Student Visa.
Click here if you want to learn about the requirements and program regulations for Au Pairs and Host Families in Spain.
General Required Documentation
Before applying for your visa, make sure you have the following documents ready:
Health Insurance
Proof of health insurance coverage for Spain
Language Course
Certificate of enrollment in a Spanish language course
Au Pair Contract
The Au Pair contract signed by both parties
Valid Passport
Current valid passport or ID card
Invitation Letter
Letter of invitation from the Host Family
Visa Categories
Working Holiday and Youth Mobility Visas
EU/EEA Au Pairs
Candidates from EU or EEA countries only need an ID card to enter Spain. No visa is required.Requirements
- Valid ID card or passport
- Proof of registration at the nearest Foreigners Office (for a Foreigner Identity Card - TIE)
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Proof of valid health insurance
-
Registration
Citizens of the EU/EEA/Schengen area who plan to stay for more than 3 months must register at the nearest Foreigners Office to receive their Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
If you stay in Spain for more than 90 days, you must complete two main registrations:
- The "Empadronamiento": You must register at the local municipal registry office (Padrón Municipal) in the town where your Host Family lives. This proves you are a resident of that municipality.
- EU Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea): You must apply for this at the Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or a designated police station. This gives you your NIE (Foreigner Identification Number), which is essential for things like opening a bank account or signing up for certain classes.
Non‑EU Au Pairs (Student Visa)
Requirements
- Valid passport
- Proof of enrollment in a Spanish language course of at least 20 hours per week
- Letter of invitation from the Host Family, obtained from the local police station
- Health insurance for Spain
- Signed Au Pair contract
-
Language course registration
The Au Pair must enroll in the Spanish language course before arriving in Spain and attend the class for at least 20 hours a week, as this is mandatory for the Student Visa. -
Student visa application
Apply for the Student Visa at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You will need:
- The Au Pair contract.- The school acceptance letter.
- Proof of financial means (bank statements).
- Medical certificate (stating you don’t have diseases with serious public health implications).
- Your passport (valid for the duration of your stay).
-
Host Family Invitation Letter
The Host Family is required to obtain an invitation letter from their local police station and send the original document to the Au Pair for the visa application. -
Health Insurance
For non-EU citizens, proof of insurance is a mandatory requirement that must be submitted at the time of your visa application.
Spanish consulates are notoriously strict about the type of coverage you have. Simply having "travel insurance" or a standard international policy is usually not enough; it must meet specific criteria to be accepted for an Au Pair (student-type) visa.To be accepted by the Spanish Consulate, your policy must typically meet these four "Golden Rules":
No Co-payments (Sin Copagos): You must not have to pay any out-of-pocket fees when you visit a doctor. The consulate wants to see that you have 100% coverage from day one.
No Deductibles: There should be no "excess" or amount you must pay before the insurance kicks in.
Full Coverage: It must cover all risks normally covered by the Spanish National Health System (hospitalization, surgery, emergencies, and primary care), not just emergency travel accidents.
Repatriation: It must include the cost of transporting you back to your home country in the event of serious illness or death. -
After Arrival (The TIE)
If your stay exceeds 180 days, you must go to the local police station or the Extranjería within 30 days of your arrival to apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). This is your actual physical resident card.
Working Holiday Visa and Youth Mobility Visas (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Japan)
- Citizenship of an eligible country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Japan)
- Valid passport
- Full health insurance for the entire stay
- Proof of sufficient savings
- Visas are generally valid for up to 12 months.
- Work authorization is limited to 6 months total.
- Placement restrictions: New Zealand citizens are limited to 3 months with a single Host Family; Australian and Canadian citizens are limited to 6 months with a single Host Family.
-
Check Quotas
These visas have annual caps (e.g., 1,000 for Canada). Ensure the quota for the year hasn't been filled. -
Book Appointment
You must apply in person at the Spanish Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. -
Submit Documents
Bring originals and copies. You will pay the visa fee (e.g., approx. $145 CAD or $180 AUD) at this time.You will need to gather the following documents for your appointment:
- Visa Application Form: National visa form, completed and signed.
- Passport: Valid for at least 1 year with at least two blank pages.
- Photos: Recent passport-sized color photos with a light background.
- Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds (usually around €2,500–€3,000 for the first three months, though specific amounts like $2,637 CAD or $915 AUD per month are often cited).
- Medical Certificate: A signed letter from a doctor stating you do not suffer from diseases with serious public health implications (International Health Regulations 2005).
- Police Clearance: A criminal record check from your home country (and any country you've lived in for the last 5 years), typically issued within the last 3–6 months.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance covering hospitalization and repatriation for the entire stay (minimum coverage €30,000).
- NIE (Foreigner ID Number): You must apply for an NIE, which can often be done simultaneously with the visa application.
- Flight Information: A return ticket or proof of funds to purchase one. -
Post-Arrival (TIE)
If your stay is longer than 6 months, you must apply for a TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) at a police station in Spain within 30 days of arrival.
