Visa guide · Europe
Auxiliares de Conversación: Teaching English in Spain
Spain's government language assistant program. Stipend plus a student visa for non-EU citizens.
Auxiliares de Conversación is the Spanish Ministry of Education's program that places native-English language assistants in public schools across Spain. It's the most common entry point for North American teachers without EU citizenship. You're technically a 'language assistant,' not a teacher, and you work 12-16 hours per week.
Duration
Academic year (October to May or June). Renewable for one or two additional years.
Cost
Free to apply. Student visa fee USD 160 plus apostille and translation costs.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (or be a senior undergraduate)
- US, Canadian, UK, Australian, New Zealand, or Irish citizenship (program varies by year)
- Basic Spanish helpful but not required
- Clean criminal background check
- FBI background check (US) apostilled with The Hague apostille
- Student visa from a Spanish consulate (non-EU citizens only)
The process
1. Apply via Profex (Jan-Apr)
Profex is the Spanish Ministry's portal. Applications open mid-January and close mid-April for the following October start.
2. Get placement (May-Jun)
You're assigned a region; specific school assignments come later. Madrid, Andalusia, and Galicia have the most spots.
3. Apply for the student visa
Once accepted, apply at a Spanish consulate in your home country. Bring the carta de nombramiento (acceptance letter), proof of funds, and apostilled background check.
4. Arrive in Spain by October
Most contracts start October 1. Register with the Foreign Office (TIE card) within 30 days of arrival.
Common questions
Can I live on the Auxiliares stipend?
Madrid and Catalonia pay 1,000 EUR/month for 16 hours; other regions pay 700 EUR for 12 hours. You can live modestly in smaller cities; in Madrid most teachers supplement with private classes.
Can I work other jobs on the Auxiliares visa?
The student visa allows up to 30 hours/week. Many Auxiliares teach 12-16 hours at their assigned school plus 10-15 hours of private English lessons.
What's the difference between Auxiliares and BEDA?
BEDA is a separate program run by Catholic schools in Madrid. It pays more (1,100-1,400 EUR) but with more hours and stricter expectations. Auxiliares is the government program; BEDA is private.
Tools you'll need
Resources for teachers preparing to apply. Links are partner affiliates that fund the site at no cost to you.
Country guide
Teach English in Spain
Auxiliares de Conversación, language academies, and private classes.
See the full Spain guide →Other visa guides
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