Non-EU au pairs travelling to Spain under a cultural exchange arrangement with a host family may need private health insurance as part of their visa or residency application. But the right type of cover depends on the specific visa route used and the documentation that supports it. This guide explains why au pair applicants should not be automatically routed to student health insurance, what cover is appropriate for different au pair scenarios, and how 247 Expat Insurance helps identify suitable options.
Send the au pair’s age, intended stay period, the specific visa or residency basis being used, and any enrolment documentation. We’ll discuss suitable options. Processing times vary depending on insurer approval, medical history and payment.
Get a QuoteTalk to an AdviserStudent visa health insurance is only suitable where the applicant is genuinely enrolled on a recognised course and can provide the required certificate of enrolment from a school, college, university or approved education provider.
If the person is coming mainly to live with a host family as an au pair and cannot provide valid enrolment documentation, they should not be treated as a student insurance case. In that situation, the insurance route needs to be checked against the actual visa or residency basis being used, and a standard visa/residency private health insurance policy may be more appropriate.
Au pairs typically travel under cultural exchange arrangements with Spanish host families — providing child-care and light household help in exchange for accommodation, meals and a small stipend. Non-EU au pairs typically need a Spanish long-stay visa or residence permit supported by a signed au pair agreement.
Au pair stays in Spain can sit under different visa or residency categories depending on the individual’s circumstances:
The visa application stage will indicate which route applies. Insurance documentation needs to align with the actual route.
Student visa insurance is not suitable where the applicant:
In these cases, the insurance should be aligned to the actual visa basis being used.
Where private cover is requested, the Spanish-regulated structure commonly looks like:
Specific requirements depend on the visa or residency category. The Consulate or Foreigners Office checklist for the actual route should be the reference point.
The au pair agreement typically specifies who arranges and pays for health insurance. In some cases the host family arranges and funds the cover; in others the au pair arranges it. The visa file documentation needs to be in the au pair’s name regardless of who pays.
Cost depends on age, region in Spain, and the cover structure chosen. Au pairs are typically in the 18–26 age band where base premiums are at the lower end of the range. Specific quote available.
Send us the au pair agreement, intended Consulate route and any enrolment documentation. We’ll discuss suitable options.
Get a QuoteTalk to an AdviserWhen the au pair is not enrolled on a recognised course and cannot provide a valid certificate of enrolment from a school, college, university or approved education provider. In that case the insurance should follow the actual visa or residency route, not the Student Visa route.
Possibly — if the course is recognised and the au pair can provide a valid certificate of enrolment from the school. This is an exception that depends on genuine enrolment, not the default au pair route.
The insurance should be aligned to the actual visa or residency basis being used — typically standard visa/residency private health insurance, not student-style cover.
Typically not — the au pair needs cover in their own name for visa or residency documentation.
Depends on the au pair agreement. The visa documentation needs to be in the au pair’s name regardless of who funds it.
Aligned to the visa or residency period. Annual cover is the standard structure for visa applications.
Yes — annual policies can be renewed.
Processing times vary depending on insurer approval, medical history and payment.
Send the au pair agreement details and visa/residency route to identify suitable cover.
Get a QuoteTalk to an Adviser