Au Pair in Spain from the USA, UK, Canada & Australia | Visa, Documents & Practical Guide

Q: Which au pair documents may need sworn translation for Spain?

Au pair applicants commonly need sworn translations for criminal background checks, apostilles, medical certificates, birth certificates, host family agreements, course enrollment letters, insurance documents, and supporting records when these are not in Spanish.

Q: Does an au pair background check need an apostille?

Often, yes, especially if the background check is a public document issued outside Spain and required for a visa application. The apostille should usually be obtained before the sworn translation.

Is There an Au Pair Visa for Spain?

Spain’s au pair route depends on your nationality, where you apply, and how long you plan to stay. For many non-EU au pairs staying longer than 90 days, the route is usually connected to a student visa or au pair visa process. Some consulates have a specific au pair visa page, while others direct au pairs through the study visa process. Because consulates vary, always check the Spanish consulate or BLS office responsible for your place of legal residence.

Short stay (under 90 days)

Some English-speaking nationals may be able to enter Spain visa-free for a short stay depending on nationality and Schengen rules. Even when a visa is not required, au pairs should still have clear documentation: valid passport, health insurance, proof of purpose, a host family letter or invitation, and an au pair agreement.

Long stay (over 90 days)

For longer au pair stays, non-EU applicants generally need a visa. This often means applying through the student visa or au pair visa process. Many au pair visa routes require enrollment in a Spanish course and a signed host family agreement.

Before Choosing a Host Family

Do not focus only on the city or pocket money. Your host family arrangement should be clear, realistic, and in writing. Before accepting, ask:

Where exactly will I live?
Will I have my own bedroom?
How many children will I care for?
What are their ages?
What are the expected hours?
What days off will I have?
Will I be expected to clean, cook, or drive?
Will I be able to attend Spanish classes?
Who pays for transport to classes?
Who pays for health insurance?
What happens if the arrangement does not work?
Can I speak with a previous au pair?
Will the family help with paperwork after arrival?

Note: An au pair stay is a cultural exchange, not a full-time nanny or housekeeping job. The agreement should leave you time to study Spanish, rest, socialise, and experience life in Spain.

Common Au Pair Documents for Spain

Depending on your nationality and consulate, you may need:

Valid passport
National visa application form
Passport photograph
Proof of residence in your consular jurisdiction
Au pair agreement or host family contract
Host family invitation or supporting letter
Spanish course enrollment certificate
Proof of medical or health insurance
Criminal background check
Apostille or legalization for public documents
Medical certificate
Proof of financial means, if required
Copies of all documents
Sworn translations into Spanish

Which Au Pair Documents May Need Sworn Translation?

Au pair applicants commonly need sworn translations for:

Criminal background check
Apostille attached to the background check
Medical certificate
Birth certificate, if requested
Host family agreement, if not in Spanish
Course enrollment certificate, if not in Spanish
School or diploma documents, if requested
Proof of insurance, if not in Spanish
Parent authorization, if the applicant is a minor

If your document was issued outside Spain and is not in Spanish, check whether it needs both an apostille or legalization and a sworn translation. If you need a sworn translation for your student visa or a background check translation for Spain, send the full document including any attached apostille.

Your First Week With the Host Family

For au pairs, the first week should be about clarity. Even if the family seems kind, do not rely only on informal conversations. Ask to review:

Weekly schedule
Children’s routines
School pickup and drop-off details
Food expectations
House rules
Days off
Pocket money payment day
Language class schedule
Transport costs
Emergency contacts
Medical insurance details
What to do if a child is sick
What to do if you are sick
Whether you are expected to cook, clean, drive, or babysit at night

Ask for the schedule in writing. This does not need to be formal or confrontational. A shared WhatsApp message, calendar, or printed weekly plan can prevent misunderstandings.

Note: A good au pair arrangement should leave time for Spanish classes, rest, social life, and cultural exchange. If the role starts to feel like full-time childcare or housekeeping, address it early.

Living in Someone Else’s Home

Living with a host family is different from renting a room. It is more personal, and boundaries matter. Clarify:

Which bathroom you use
Laundry expectations
Meal times
Whether you can invite friends over
Curfew or quiet hours
Use of kitchen
Use of heating or air conditioning
Whether you can travel on weekends
How to request time off
How much notice the family needs for schedule changes

Red Flags to Watch For

No written agreement
No clear schedule
No private room
Pressure to work more hours than agreed
No time for Spanish classes
Refusal to discuss insurance
Family keeping your passport
Being asked to work before your legal paperwork is clear
Being treated as a cleaner rather than an au pair
Isolation from friends or local activities

Note: If you came through an agency, contact them early if something feels wrong.

Empadronamiento, TIE, and Arrival Administration

Like students, au pairs need to register their address (empadronamiento) at the local Ayuntamiento and apply for a TIE if their stay is longer than six months. Your host family may help with some of these steps, but you should understand the process yourself.

Empadronamiento

For empadronamiento you may need:

Passport
Visa or residence document
A letter or authorization from the host family
Sometimes a copy of the host family’s ID or property document

TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

For the TIE you may need:

Passport
Visa
Copy of passport ID page
Empadronamiento certificate
EX-17 form
Tasa 790-012 payment confirmation
Passport-style photo
Host family agreement or course enrollment
Health insurance document
Appointment confirmation
Copies of all documents

Useful Official Links

Cita Previa de Extranjería – Book your immigration appointment
Tasa Modelo 790 Código 012 – Pay the TIE fee

Opening a Bank Account and Getting a Spanish Phone Number

Banking

Au pairs may need a Spanish bank account to receive their pocket money, pay local expenses, or transfer money. Some banks allow non-resident accounts, while others may ask for a NIE, TIE, passport, proof of address, or an au pair agreement. Online banks such as N26, Revolut, or Wise can be a useful starting point while you arrange a local account.

Phone

A Spanish phone number makes daily life easier. It may be needed for appointment reminders, bank accounts, delivery services, school communication, and staying in touch with the host family. A prepaid SIM is the easiest first step and usually only requires a passport.

Health Care and Insurance for Au Pairs

Confirm before you arrive which health insurance covers you and how it works. Ask:

Which hospitals and clinics are covered
Whether you need to call first before visiting
What to do in an emergency
Whether prescriptions are covered
Whether dental or mental health care is included
Whether you need reimbursement forms

Au pairs should confirm whether the host family, agency, or visa process includes private insurance. In Spain, pharmacies are useful for minor illnesses, but some medications may require a prescription.

Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual

If you will be working, volunteering, interning, teaching, or providing childcare around minors, you may be asked for the Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual. This is the Spanish certificate used to prove whether there are sexual-offense records registered in Spain. The Spanish Ministry of Justice issues it for people who regularly work with minors.

Who may need it

Students doing placements with minors
Au pairs
NALCAP and auxiliares participants
Language assistants
School interns
Childcare-related volunteer roles
Camp or youth-program workers

You can request it online at the Ministry of Justice sede electrónica. Request the Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual online. General information page: Ministry of Justice — CDNS information.

You may need a Spanish digital ID method such as Cl@ve or a digital certificate to request it online. If you do not have one yet, ask your school, host family, program coordinator, or local office whether they can guide you through the process.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed While Apartment Hunting in Spain

Housing is one of the biggest stress points for new arrivals. Students, au pairs, and language assistants are easy targets because they often search from abroad, do not know normal local prices, and feel pressure to secure housing quickly. Spain’s cybersecurity institute, INCIBE, warns that fraudulent rental ads may involve homes that do not exist, prices that look unusually attractive, and requests for advance payments. INCIBE rental scam advice.

Red flags when looking for housing

The rent is much cheaper than similar rooms in the same area
The landlord refuses a live video call or in-person viewing
The photos look too polished or appear on multiple listings
The landlord says they are abroad and cannot show the flat
You are pressured to pay immediately
They ask for payment through unusual methods
They refuse to provide a written rental agreement
They avoid giving the exact address
They will not confirm whether empadronamiento is allowed
They ask for passport copies before basic details are clear
The listing disappears and reappears under different names
The landlord’s story keeps changing

Before paying anything

Do this first:

Compare the price with similar rooms on Idealista, Fotocasa, Badi, Spotahome, university housing boards, and local Facebook groups
Ask for a live video tour where the person shows the entrance, street, windows, kitchen, bathroom, and your room
Search the address on Google Maps
Ask whether you can register there for empadronamiento
Ask what bills are included
Ask how many people live there
Ask for a written contract before sending money
Avoid sending a large deposit before seeing the property or verifying the landlord
Use safer payment methods with a traceable record
Keep screenshots of the listing, messages, payment receipts, and landlord details

Questions to ask before accepting a room

Can I register for empadronamiento at this address?
Is there a written contract?
How long is the contract?
How much is the deposit?
When and how is the deposit returned?
Are utilities included?
Who else lives in the apartment?
Is smoking allowed?
Are guests allowed?
Is the room interior or exterior?
Is heating included?
Is there air conditioning?
Is the internet already installed?
Can I see the exact room I will rent?
Can I speak with a current or previous tenant?

When you move in

Take photos and videos of everything before unpacking: walls, floors, furniture, mattress, appliances, bathroom, kitchen, windows, locks, and any existing damage. Send the photos to the landlord by email or WhatsApp so there is a timestamped record.

Keep a copy of: rental contract, landlord’s contact information, payment receipts, deposit receipt, photos and videos from move-in day, inventory list if provided, and messages about bills and conditions.

This may feel excessive, but it can prevent problems when you leave and ask for your deposit back.

Getting Your Transport Card in Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Valencia

Public transport in Spain is usually much cheaper with a monthly or youth pass than with individual tickets. The best card depends on your city, age, and how often you travel. Check the current price before buying, because discounts and fares can change.

Madrid: Tarjeta Transporte Público and Abono Joven

Madrid uses the Tarjeta Transporte Público Personal for monthly passes. The Abono Joven is for people from age 15 until the date they turn 26. It is personal, non-transferable, valid for 30 days, and allows unlimited journeys across Madrid’s fare zones.

Apply online before or soon after arriving.
Use your passport or identity document if you do not yet have your TIE.
Upload a passport-style photo.
Pay the card issue fee if required.
Wait for the card to arrive, or book an in-person appointment if you need it quickly.
Once you have the card, load the Abono Joven or other pass at Metro machines, tobacco shops, authorized points, or compatible apps.

Barcelona: T-mobilitat and T-jove

Barcelona uses T-mobilitat, which can be physical or mobile. The T-jove is for people under 30 and gives unlimited travel for 90 days across the Barcelona integrated transport system.

Register with T-mobilitat online or in person.
Choose a physical personalized card, mobile wallet, or available support.
Upload or present identity documentation if needed.
Check that your young profile is active.
Load the T-jove through the app, ticket machines, or official sales points.
Use the T-mobilitat card or mobile system to validate each journey.

Málaga: Tarjeta Joven and EMT/Consorcio Options

Málaga has different transport options depending on whether you are using city buses, the metro, or metropolitan transport. For young people, the Tarjeta Joven de Transporte from the Andalusian transport system gives discounts on ordinary Consorcio card trips and is aimed at residents in Andalucía under 30. For Málaga city buses, EMT Málaga also has a Tarjeta Joven with specific eligibility requirements.

Check whether you need the EMT Málaga city card, the Consorcio card, or both.
If you are studying in Málaga capital, prepare proof of enrollment.
If you are empadronado in Málaga, prepare your padrón certificate.
Apply online where available.
Bring your passport, NIE/TIE if available, photo, and proof of eligibility.
Ask your school or program which transport option is best for your route.

Valencia: SUMA, Móbilis30, and Youth Transport

Valencia uses SUMA and Móbilis-style supports across Metrovalencia, EMT, MetroBus, and Cercanías depending on the pass and zones. Móbilis30 / SUMA Mensual Jove allows unlimited travel for 30 days and can be valid across Metrovalencia, EMT, MetroBus, and RENFE Cercanías depending on the selected zone combination.

Check your daily route first: university, host family, work placement, or school.
Confirm whether you need metro, bus, Cercanías, or a combination.
Choose the correct zone combination.
Check whether you qualify for a youth pass.
Buy or request the correct SUMA/Móbilis support.
Load the monthly or youth title that matches your route.

First Month in Spain Budget Calculator

Estimate how much money you may need for your first month in Spain. This is especially useful for students, au pairs, language assistants, and anyone arriving before their routine income or stipend begins.

First month’s rent (€) Shared room or apartment payment for your first month.

Housing deposit / fianza (€) Often one month’s rent, sometimes more.

Temporary accommodation (€) Hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or temporary room while apartment hunting.

Food and groceries (€) Groceries, basic meals, and initial household food.

Transport card and local travel (€) Monthly transport pass, airport transfer, local trips.

SIM card / phone plan (€) Prepaid SIM or first month of a phone plan.

Paperwork costs (€) Passport photos, printing, photocopies, TIE/tasa fees, appointments.

Household basics (€) Bedding, towels, toiletries, cleaning products, adapters.

Health / medication buffer (€) Medication, private appointment, pharmacy, insurance gap.

Emergency buffer (€) Recommended extra cushion for delays, housing issues, or unexpected costs.

Estimated first-month budget:

€2130

This is only an estimate. Big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia, and Palma can be much more expensive, especially if you need temporary accommodation while searching for a room.

What Is an Autorización de Regreso?

An autorización de regreso is a Spanish return authorization. It allows certain foreign residents to leave Spain and return while their residence or stay authorization is being renewed, extended, replaced, or processed. The National Police describes it as a document for a foreign person whose residence authorization or long-stay authorization is in renewal or extension, allowing them to leave Spain and return within a 90-day period.

You may need it if:

Your TIE is being renewed and you need to travel
Your residence or stay authorization is in renewal or extension
Your TIE has been lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed and you have requested a duplicate
You have proof that the renewal or duplicate process has already been started
You need to leave Spain before your new card is available

Important: Do not book international travel casually if your visa is close to expiring and you do not yet have your TIE. Before leaving Spain, confirm whether you can re-enter. Ask your school, program, immigration advisor, or the police station if you are unsure. You usually cannot use the autorización de regreso as a shortcut just because you have not yet applied for your TIE.

Validity

The autorización de regreso is generally valid for no more than 90 days. The 90-day period is counted from the expiry of the authorization if requested before expiry, or from the granting date if requested after expiry.

Official links

What to bring to the appointment

Bring originals and copies whenever possible:

Passport
Copy of all relevant passport pages
TIE, if you have it
Proof that you applied for TIE renewal, extension, or duplicate
EX-13 form, if required by your office
Appointment confirmation
Proof of travel, if requested
Paid tasa confirmation
Police report, if the TIE was stolen
Any supporting document showing why travel is necessary

Requirements can vary slightly by province or police station, so check your appointment instructions carefully.

Spanish Bureaucracy Vocabulary

Knowing a few key words will make appointments and forms less confusing.

Cita previa: Appointment
Empadronamiento / padrón: Address registration with your local town hall
Ayuntamiento: Town hall
TIE: Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — foreigner identity card
NIE: Foreigner identification number
Tasa: Administrative fee
Justificante: Proof, receipt, or confirmation document
Copia: Copy
Original: Original document
Formulario: Form
Solicitud: Application
Sede electrónica: Online government office
Certificado digital: Digital certificate for online government procedures
Autorización de regreso: Authorization to return to Spain while a card renewal or extension is pending
Comisaría: Police station
Extranjería: Immigration office
Seguro médico: Health insurance
Contrato de alquiler: Rental contract
Fianza: Security deposit

Travel Outside Spain Before Your TIE

Be careful about traveling outside Spain before receiving your TIE, especially if your visa is close to expiring or you are in a renewal process.

Before booking travel, check:

Whether your visa is still valid
Whether you have your TIE
Whether you need an autorización de regreso
Whether your destination is inside or outside the Schengen Area
Whether you can re-enter Spain without problems

Do not assume that a cheap flight means travel is safe from an immigration perspective. Before booking any international trip, verify your entry rights. When in doubt, ask your school, program, host family, immigration lawyer, or the relevant immigration office.

When You May Need More Translations After Arrival

Students and au pairs often need sworn translations again after arrival — not only for the initial visa.

You may need sworn translations for:

University enrollment corrections
Degree recognition
Transcript submission
Internship paperwork
Medical records
Insurance claims
Background checks for new procedures
Birth certificates
Name change documents
Host family or legal documents
Bank or administrative records
Future visa modification or renewal documents

If you are unsure whether a document needs sworn translation, send Alba a scanned copy before starting the process. Alba provides official sworn translations for Spain, handled personally and delivered as signed and stamped digital PDFs.

Need a sworn translation after arriving in Spain?

Upload your document and Alba will confirm the next step. Fixed pricing, digitally signed PDF, pay after delivery.

Upload Your Documents · See Pricing & Process

Frequently Asked Questions

Do au pairs need a visa for Spain?

It depends on nationality and length of stay. Many non-EU au pairs staying more than 90 days need a visa, often through the student visa or au pair visa route. Always check the Spanish consulate or BLS office responsible for your legal residence.

Do I need to take Spanish classes to be an au pair in Spain?

Many au pair visa or student visa routes require enrollment in a Spanish course. Confirm the exact requirement with your consulate, agency, or host family before applying.

Which au pair documents may need sworn translation?

Common documents that may need sworn translation include criminal background checks, apostilles, medical certificates, birth certificates, host family agreements if not in Spanish, course enrollment letters, insurance documents, and parent authorization. If a document is not in Spanish and must be submitted to a Spanish authority, check whether it needs sworn translation.

Does my background check need an apostille?

Often, yes, especially if it is a public document issued outside Spain and required for a visa application. The apostille should usually be obtained before the sworn translation. Send the full document — certificate and apostille together — for sworn translation.

Can I use a regular certified translation?

For official use in Spain, a sworn translation by a translator appointed in Spain is usually the safer option. A US, UK, or private “certified translation” is not always the same as a Spanish sworn translation. See the certified vs sworn translation page for more.

What should I do if the family says I do not need paperwork?

Be cautious. Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality and length of stay. A host family may be kind and still not understand immigration requirements. Always verify with the Spanish consulate or a qualified advisor.

What are red flags with a host family?

Red flags include no written agreement, unclear hours, no private room, pressure to work more than agreed, no time for Spanish classes, refusal to discuss insurance, or any request to hand over your passport.

What is the Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual?

It is the Spanish certificate that shows whether there are sexual-offense records registered in Spain. Au pairs who work with minors may be asked for it. You can request it online through the Ministry of Justice sede electrónica using a Spanish digital ID method such as Cl@ve.

Do I need a TIE as an au pair in Spain?

If your stay is longer than six months, you will usually need to apply for a TIE after arriving in Spain. Your host family or agency may help with some steps, but you should understand the process yourself. Check the official police and immigration guidance for your specific case.