Au Pair in Spain

CULTURE & FRIENDS is an experienced and qualified au pair organisation based in Madrid for Spanish host families and international au pair candidates.

Our Host families

  • Who are our families?
  • Requirements to be a Host family
  • Meet our Spanish host families

    • Who are our families?

    FamiliaMatching with the right host family is one of the important steps to becoming an au pair. “Au Pair In Spain” matches carefully screened Host Families and Au Pairs through a customer-driven and streamlined matching process. We conduct home visits, interviews and check references to assure compatibility and suitability in order to make this cultural exchange experience as more effective and comfortable as possible for both participants.

    Our host families are really conscious that this is a cultural exchange program and they want you to become part of their family. They will integrate au pairs into their daily routine at home, offering them the chance to experience Spanish life and culture at first hand. Through this program, we hope that the au pair will return to his/her home country and share with family and friends a positive and realistic impression of life in Spain and Spanish people through this unique cultural exchange program.

    Spanish host families are very interested in learning your native language and about your culture, they want you to teach your language to their children. This is the main reason why they decide to host an au pair. They are not looking for cheap domestic help.

    Most of families demanding au pairs live in Madrid, but we also arrange placements in other big cities all over Spain. During summer time most of the families in Madrid go on holidays for part or for the whole summer, to another area of Spain, usually the coast (Levante, Andalucia, North…) or the mountains. It is a great opportunity to travel around.

    Requirements to be a Host family

    FamiliaAU PAIR IN SPAIN host families must meet the following requirements:

  • 1. Be fluent in Spanish (castellano) and speak Spanish (castellano) as the primary language in their home.
  • 2. Provide the au pair with an appropriate private bedroom and full board (three meals a day) during 7 days a week.
  • 3. Home interview with an Au Pair In Spain Representative.
  • 4. Open minded and strong commitment to cultural exchange to help the au pair with the adjustment to the Spanish way of life and culture.
  • 5. Willingness to accept the au pair as member of the family and not a domestic servant.
  • 6. Willingness to introduce the au pair to the Spanish culture and to assist her in the learning of the Spanish language. They will also ensure that the au pair has the opportunity to visit a language school on a regular basis.
  • 7. Submit a completed application form and collect all documents required.
  • 8. Sign an agreement with the au pair upon her arrival which defines the rights and obligations of both. This agreement must include the following topics amongst other:
    • Pocket money to be paid weekly to the au pair as agreed with her, based on the program option selected (Basic, Mother help, Demi, …)..
    • Limit Au pair working hours based on the program option selected.
    • Automobile coverage for the au pair if she is driving family´s vehicle(s) and list her as an operator on the insurance policy to be fully protected.
    • Monthly payment of half of the private medical insurance cost if applicable (for Non-EU au pairs)
    • Free weekends based on the program option selected.
    • One week paid vacation for each 6 months exchange term or two weeks for 12 months, in addition to regular weekly time off.
    • Give information to the au pair about the house rules (e.g. use of telephone and facilities within the home, daytime and overnight visitors, curfew, smoking, etc.), explanation of the weekly or daily routine, advice on handling the children.
    • Family is aware that au pair will need time to adjust to her new surroundings and child care responsibilities and shall, accordingly, provide the au pair with a familiarisation period of at least 2 weeks.
    • If problems arise and no solution can be reached, a notice period of 2 weeks must be respected.