Are you an American looking to have a new adventure? The next move for you might be to work as an au pair in Spain. Americans can easily obtain a visa to au pair in Spain, and some don’t need a visa at all! Keep reading for more info on agencies, fine print, au pair responsibilities, and more.
Spain is one of the most dynamic, vibrant countries in Europe. There is nowhere else that lives quite as large, that pours passion into every conversation, meal, and night out like the Spanish. It is one thing to interact with this passion on a two-week holiday, but the only way to really understand it, the way to infuse your life with it, is to live and work there for a while.
One of the best possible ways to immerse yourself into Spanish culture AND make a bit of money while doing so is to work as an au pair in Spain. Au Pairing is one of the coolest cultural exchanges around. YOU get to live with and contribute to a Spanish family, and THEY get to learn from you, teach you their culture, and have their children do the same.
You can also teach English in Barcelona if you’d rather be a teacher than a caretaker. The options for travel jobs are limitless!
What Does Au Pairing in Spain Look Like?
Looking after a Spanish family’s children while they work is by far the most immersive cultural experience that you can have. You get to spend every day in the company of a Spanish family, learning about the ebb and flow of daily life. Of course, this also means that you don’t have to think about the cost of accommodation and food, the day-to-day costs are all included in your actual work.
You will pass your days truly immersing yourself in the customs and culture that surround you. You’ll get to sharpen up those little colloquialisms that books and apps can’t teach you. You get to build your own neighborhood, get to know a wide network of locals, and become a part of their day too.
Why Au Pair in Spain?
Spain is also one of the best countries to au pair in because the culture is so wonderful to get to know. With afternoon tapas, charcuterie, and free-flowing wine come the siesta lifestyle (hello, afternoon naps!) incredible countryside and scenery, and some pretty epic beaches as well. You MUST catch a futbol game, too – it’s basically a lifestyle.
The Spanish know how to slow down and appreciate life – which is something Americans OFTEN pass by. Taking an au pair job here might just help you remember how to be present again and drink in the beauty of life!
AU pairing in Spain can also be a great way to live abroad after college before you really jump into ‘real’ life… if that’s even what you want! It can be a great escape while you figure out just that.
Tasks and Responsibilities for an Au Pair in Spain
Before you head off on your au pair experience, know that the details of your day-to-day tasks are laid out for you in a contract, just so both sides know exactly where the boundaries are.
This legally binding document means that you know that the parents can’t just disappear for the weekend and leave you in charge because it is not in the contract. It does also mean that you can head off to one of the many outstanding nightclubs in Spain and ‘forget the time!’
Typical duties for an au pair in Spain would be –
- Meal Preparation – Preparing meals and snacks for the children.
- Morning Routine – Waking the children and helping them get dressed, fed and ready for the day
- Transportation – Taking the children to their various activities and clubs around the local area
- Playtime – Keeping the children entertained and happy with games and activities
- Washing – Washing and folding laundry for the children
- Homework – Helping the children with any homework they might have
- Teaching English – This is one of the duties that is often specific to au pairs in Spain. You usually don’t need to be certified as a teacher but must know english enough to speak with the children in English.
- Tidying up – Helping to keep the kids’ room clean
- Bedtime – Helping the children get ready for bed
While not an exclusive list, these are the most common tasks that any au pair in Spain can expect to undertake during their time here.
Places in Spain to Au Pair
You can honestly au pair anywhere in Spain as long as there is a demand. You can look into destinations BEFORE getting a job, or base your selection on a host family you like. Some of the most popular destinations are:
- Barcelona – I lived here for a summer and it’s one of the most incredible cities in the world. Check out the best tapas in Barcelona, best rooftop bars in Barcelona, and the best coffee shops while you are here. There are also tons of unique places to stay.
- Madrid – The capital city of Spain is nothing short of incredible.
- Bilbao – This city is on Spain’s north coast – near the French border. It’s known for surfing!
- Seville – Seville is a stunning city in Andalusia that could keep you captivated for months.
- Mallorca and Ibiza are two of the Balearic Islands where you could live your day to day on rocky shores with sparkling blue water.
- Alicante is a coastal city on the mainland that has a slower pace than Barcelona and some different cultural quirks.
- And more!
Tips to Find Jobs to Au Pair in Spain
There are a lot of different want to get an au pair job in Spain. There are a wealth of agencies, based in many countries around the world that will help you get set up an au pair role or a language course in Spain.
There are many companies that offer help getting au pair jobs in Spain and around the world. Each will have its own nuances, some specialized in particular cities, others just dealing with your itinerary, and others only doing travel arrangements. It may be difficult to sift through all of it. Here are some of the best!
Sign Up With Global Work & Travel – Hassle-Free
Global Work & Travel have put together the most comprehensive packages I have seen for getting a job au pairing in Spain. As a business, they appear to actually grasp the anxiety that many people have about beginning a new chapter of their life in a foreign country – and they turn it upside down.
They not only provide a personal trip coordinator and travel concierge for each and every trip, but they also give you a pre-departure au pair course, airport transfers, accommodation, an emergency line, and cultural welcomes, allowing you to participate in activities with other people doing the same thing as you and settle into Spain much more easily. They have a whole welcome week with hostel nights and even include a few nights partying elsewhere in Europe!
They also have an incompatible family match for the au-pair position, so if you don’t get along with the family you were placed in, you can go somewhere else.
Of course something like this comes with a fee, but you’ll have to put a price on your peace of mind. How much is it worth to you to have EVERYTHING organized for you (including the actual job) and have help (and friends) every single step of the way, without having to stress about requirements, paperwork, and agencies that don’t do it all?
I really believe in what they do so I have partnered with them for a $50 discount for my readers – use code ADVENTURESNSUNSETS to get it! If you are unsure you can still sign up for their email list to learn more.
Requirements for Being an Au Pair in Spain for Global Work & Travel
There are few families who would let a stranger look after their kids without a lot of background checks, so the au pair position tends to be a little more stringent. To become an au pair in Spain you would need –
- Have 14 days provable child-caring experience
- Have a high school certificate or diploma
- Meet Spanish visa requirements
- Be a non-smoker
- Not have suffered from any mental health issues or eating disorders over the previous two years
Other Au Pair Agencies in Spain
You can do more research online but it’s usually best to apply through an agency as arranging au pair work in Spain can be a lot more complicated than it first seems. Agencies or Global Work + Travel will help with the au pair visa and au pair contract as well as ensuring your au pair placement is legally binding and not exploitative.
AuPairinSpain.com
Aupairinspain.com is a wonderful resource for learning more about what to expect before you Au Pair in Spain. They have a very basic program that can help you match with a host family, but you will be on your own for schooling, visa, transport, and other requirements and socializing.
Check out this website to learn about general au pair fees, free time, responsibilities, language learning, the cultural exchange of being an au pair, some host families, past experiences, and more.
AuPair.com
AuPair.com is a global platform where host families and au pairs can post ads to connect with one another. It’s a great way to browse host families, but remember you will have to not only do your own vetting and research but also organize everything yourself from start to finish.
Tips for Doing it Yourself
If ‘doing it yourself’ it is best to get in touch with multiple host families and chat with them to gauge interest and compatibility.
It’s a good idea to make sure they can speak a bit of English, and are comfortable with you speaking some Spanish in the home if you are looking to practice your language as well (some families want just English spoken in the home). It’s important to establish things like hours, expectations, and a contract beforehand.
More Information About Au Pairing in Spain – Fine Print
Here are some smaller intricacies of getting work in Spain if you want to try other agencies or do it yourself.
Au Pair Visa in Spain
There is an “au pair visa” in Spain – as detailed on different government forms depending on where you are from in the US or other English-speaking countries. View New York here San Francisco here.
You will notice that this visa requires that the applicant not receive a salary and also requires that they study Spanish at least 20 hours a week (so you basically live with a family, study Spanish, mind the children, and teach them English/culture as well). This can only include board, food, and some simple living expenses which may include a weekly amount.
US Citizens don’t need to get this visa if their job is less than 3 months/90 days long – which is reassuring. Au Pairs from some other countries and stays of longer than 90 days however will need to obtain a visa AND sign up for language school.
To get the visa you will need to visit the consulate in your closest destination in the USA. Make an appointment ahead of time to make sure you have enough time before your start date.
Language Classes for Au Pairs in Spain
If you stay longer than 90 days as an American, you will need to sign up for language classes as part of your visa. Look into schools in your chosen destination that are well-known and established. Classes should be about 20 hours a week or so.
Au Pair in Spain Salaries
Because au pairing in Spain is supposed to involve a cultural exchange rather than a salary, the pay amounts can only be as much as general living expenses as a stipend. Therefore an au pair salary in Spain will usually be around €70 to €90 a week (on top of board, food, and lodging), but it can vary depending on regional costs and if you stay in a more expensive city like Barcelona or Madrid.
Au pair host families often require Spanish lessons as part of your au pairing duties; this could make your au pair earnings go up to an average of about €120 per week.
What You Need to Au Pair in Spain
Age Requirements: You must be between the ages of 17 and 30.
Travel Insurance: You will need travel insurance that involvews medical insurance to cover you for the length of your stay in Spain. I use Heymondo Long-Stay Travel Insurance – check out my review here and get 5% off!
Proof of Means: You’ll need to prove you have enough savings
Invitation Letter from Host Family: This can be obtained at a local police station
Hours Required for Spain Au Pairs: Most work 25-30 hours a week but different hour arrangements can be made depending on the host family, room and board, school hours (for both au pair and kids), and more. Some au pairs only work part time, but 25-30 hours is standard.
Visa Paperwork: Check the links above to see specific paperwork you must take to the consulate.
I hope this has been informative for you on your journey to becoming an au pair in Spain! Remember to check out Global Work + Travel if you want to be stress-free with the process and have everything organized for you, support, built-in friends, and more.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.