Obtain a Spanish Work Permit

Many individuals who wish to become employed in the country will need to obtain a Spanish work permit. Our Spain immigration experts can help you with all of the details about the process of obtaining this permit.

What are the conditions to work in Spain as an EU citizen?

You are not required to apply for a work visa if you relocate to Spain for employment. Also, you can start looking for a job AFTER arrival.

What types of employment permits can I obtain in Spain?

Here are the types of work visas issued by the Spanish authorities:

the general work visa;
the highly qualified professional visa, which is available for specialists, technical personnel, and managers;
the EU Blue Card, which is available for highly skilled personnel which enables working in other EU states also, not only in Spain;
the intra-company transfer visa, which is available for foreign employees transferred to a Spanish branch or subsidiary of a non-EU company;
the seasonal visa is obtained mainly by those who want to work temporarily here, usually for a few months.

Apart from these, it is also possible to obtain Spanish work permits for specific activities, such as research and development.

What are the conditions to obtain a work visa for Spain as a non-EU/EEA citizen?

The main condition is to have a job offer BEFORE applying for the visa. Specifically, the Spanish work visa must be backed by an employment contract.

Who applies for a work visa for Spain?

The employer. However, as an employee, you must also complete one on your end: you must apply for a national D visa to enter Spain.

Here is also an infographic about the Spanish work visa:

What are the steps to apply for a work permit in Spain?

The steps below are the main ones that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain a work permit in Spain:

submission to the Immigration Office: this is handled by the employer, who must notify the intention to hire a foreign employee.
fill in the application form: each individual must fill in the application form for a national visa, which must be signed in person by the applicant.
provide identification details: a recent photograph, passport-size with a white background, will be needed.
personal documents: a passport copy, including photocopies if specified, must be valid for at least one year after the application.

What are the documents required to obtain a work permit in Spain?

Here are the documents to prepare when filing for a Spanish work visa:

the employment contract;
the criminal record, which must be translated into Spanish;
the medical certificate, which must be issued by a licensed practitioner;
proof of accommodation in Spain (a rental agreement suffices when moving here);
the diplomas attesting to the qualifications of the employee.

These are the papers the foreign employee must prepare. On the other hand, the employer must also obtain the residence and work authorisation from the Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or, for highly qualified staff and EU Blue Card holders, from the Large Companies Unit (UGE).

Is the digital nomad visa considered a working visa in Spain?

Yes. As a digital nomad in Spain, you are now allowed to have partial employment here (no more than 20% of your total income can be sourced in Spain).

How long does it take for a Spanish working visa to be issued?

The procedure can take from 1 to 3 months, depending on the type of visa.

Must I apply for a residence permit when I obtain a work visa for Spain?

No separate permit is needed, but you must be registered with Social Security within 3 months of entry and apply in person for the foreigner identity card (TIE) within one month.

What is the validity of a work visa for Spain?

The validity of the visa depends on its type. For a general work visa, the minimum validity is one year, while the highly skilled professional permit is valid for 3 years.

If you would like to know more about emigrating to Spain, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can count on us when applying for a residence permit in Spain.