Jonas K. (Germany → Spain): the schedule shock
Jonas discovers his Spanish working hours did not match what he was promised. His advice: put every hour in writing before you leave — and never sign “roughly”.
Valencia, Spain · 6 months
About this story
Illustrative, composite story: it features an anonymized character and exemplifies situations commonly faced by au pairs — it does not present itself as the verified, identifying testimony of one private individual.
Learn more about our content methodologyPrepared & fact-checked by AuPair Connect
An illustrative, anonymized au-pair scenario. Every money and legal figure cited is checked against official data by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team.
Learn about our editorial methodologyWhat does this story tell?
He was told his “afternoons would be free”. In practice, child-minding often stretched into dinner.
The problem was not the family’s goodwill but the lack of a written schedule agreed from day one.
Once the hours were set out in black and white and reviewed weekly, the situation became workable.
Pocket money in Spain
≈ €320/month (≈ €80/week): reference value of accepted practice, not fixed by Spanish law; negotiated in the contract. Includes lodging, meals and health insurance.
✔ The Compliance Team verified on 2026-09-11 · official data
In pictures
What worked and what was hard
Ask for ONE signed weekly schedule sheet in the first week — and revisit it every Monday. It is the clause that best protects against schedule drift.
Illustrative story (anonymized composite character), prepared and verified by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team. No identifiable private individual is depicted and this story does not replace official data.
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