how to get a work visa spain

1. Secure a job in Spain. To obtain a work visa in Spain, you must first have a job offer or contract from a Spanish company. ...
2. Get a work permit from your employer. Your employer will apply for your work authorization (form EX03) through Spain’s Provincial Aliens Affairs Office.
3. Collect the required documents. Together with the work permit sent by your employer, gather all the necessary documents based on the type of work visa you need.
4. Schedule an Appointment. Book an appointment with the Spanish embassy, consulate, visa center, or other responsible diplomatic missions in your country of residence.
Settle the Fees. You need to pay a particular fee to cover the expenses in processing your application. ...
Travel to Spain. The diplomatic mission will review your application for 15 days and will notify you once your visa is ready for collection.
Request a Foreigner Identity Card. Once in Spain, you can complete your whole Spanish work visa application by applying for a Foreigner Identity Card at the local police station.

Full Answer

Do I need visa to live and work in Spain?

Workers who are not from EU countries need to obtain a Work Visa to be able to live and work in Spain. Without a Work Visa a company cannot legally employ non-EU citizens. There are various types of Work Visas for Spain for different types of jobs and for different lengths of employment. Some of the most common types of work visas are:

Can I work in Spain without a work permit?

While EU citizens do not need a work permit, most non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens will need a work permit to work in Spain, but there are some exceptions, such as family members of people who already have a work visa or scientists or researchers who have come to work on a specific project.

How to get a work permit and visa for Spain?

You’ll have to provide certain documents, which may include the following:

• a business plan (if appropriate);
• evidence that you have the appropriate finances to invest in it or support yourself;
• proof that you have the skills or experience to do the work;
• any contracts or commissions from companies;
• any licenses or registrations required to carry out the work in Spain;
• information about potential to create employment in Spain.

Can I legally work in Spain?

Since Spain is a part of the European Union (EU), EU citizens do not need a work permit to live and work in the country. Otherwise, expats must secure a job so you, as the employer, can request authorization for the individual to legally work in Spain.

How do I obtain a work visa in Spain?

Work as an Employee (Highly-skilled) The employer must then request a Work Visa from the Ministry of Labour. Work permit applications can take up to 8 months to process so forward planning is needed. Once the Ministry of Labour has approved the application, the embassy or consulate issue the work and residence visa.

How difficult is it to get a work visa in Spain?

Spain has a very high unemployment rate, so obtaining a work permit for this country is difficult if you're not a European Union citizen. Further complicating matters is the fact that there's no working holiday visa that would allow you to pick up a random job while touring the country.

How much does a Spanish work visa cost?

How much does a work visa cost in Spain?Type of VisaPrice (€)Employed Work Visa€ 60 - € 160Au Pair Visa€ 80 to € 150EU Blue Card€ 285Seasonal Work Visa€ 73- € 5501 more row•May 6, 2022

Can I get a work visa for Spain without a job?

Before you can get a work employment visa (por cuenta ajena), you must first have a job offer. Your employer must then request a work permit for you to legally work in Spain. Permits are available for specific sectors, so it is usually possible to change jobs as long as it is in the same field.

Can I move to Spain without a job?

You can move to Spain without a job. Nevertheless, you will then need to apply for any residency that does not list it as a requirement.

What jobs are in high demand in Spain?

According to the data gathered from the interviews with Human Resources directors, the categories currently in the highest demand in Spain are: Sales (26.34%), Engineering (24.19%), Technology (23.12%), Marketing (9.14%) and Administration, Finance and Legal (4.30%).

Can you work in Spain without residency?

The exact duration depends on the type of roots process: For the social arraigo, you must have lived in Spain for 3 years without legal residency, and find a job offer. For working arraigo or arraigo laboral, the years required in Spain are 2, out of which during a minimum of 6 months you have worked for a company.

Can I work in Spain without speaking Spanish?

In most places in Spain, you can probably go about without speaking the language. However, speaking Spanish will help you experience places like a local and help you make the most of your time here.

How long does it take to get a work visa?

about two to seven monthsHow Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa? In general, it takes about two to seven months for the USCIS to process a work permit application. The time your work visa processes will highly depend on the type of visa you applied for. However, with extensive backlogs, there are longer wait times for obtaining work visas.

Can I work in Spain with tourist visa?

No, you cannot work in Spain with a tourist or visitor visa. You will instead have to apply for a Spanish work visa, or even a working holiday visa.

How long can I stay in Spain without a visa?

90 daysSpain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

Who needs work permit in Spain?

Those who have been living in Spain for three years without a residence permit may apply for a work and residence permit if they have received a job offer. This applies for full-time and part-time jobs, but they need to earn at least the amount of the minimum wage (€900, as of June 2021).

Can you work in Spain without residency?

The exact duration depends on the type of roots process: For the social arraigo, you must have lived in Spain for 3 years without legal residency, and find a job offer. For working arraigo or arraigo laboral, the years required in Spain are 2, out of which during a minimum of 6 months you have worked for a company.

How long does it take to get a work visa?

about two to seven monthsHow Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa? In general, it takes about two to seven months for the USCIS to process a work permit application. The time your work visa processes will highly depend on the type of visa you applied for. However, with extensive backlogs, there are longer wait times for obtaining work visas.

Can UK citizens work in Spain?

Spanish visas If UK nationals plan to work in Spain, or stay for more than three months, you must apply for a visa and work permit. There are different types of Spanish work visa depending on the kind of work you do and the length of your employment. Some of the most common types are: Long-term work visas.

Can I work in Spain with tourist visa?

No, you cannot work in Spain with a tourist or visitor visa. You will instead have to apply for a Spanish work visa, or even a working holiday visa.

Are there any exemptions for employee work permits in Spain?

Some individuals don’t have to have a work permit to do work in Spain. However, they may still need a visa to be able to enter into Spain. Examples...

Can students find employment in Spain?

If you have a student residence card, you can work up to 20 hours a week during your studies in Spain. Your employer must arrange a work permit on...

What is an EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is Europe's answer to the US Green Card. The EU Blue Card is a work- and live permit for non-EU/EEA nationals. The European Blue C...

Can I work as a freelancer or self-employed?

In order to be able to work in Spain as a freelancer, it is necessary to apply for a Work Visa at a Spanish consulate or embassy. The work visas ar...

What is needed to obtain a Spain Work Visa?

In Spain in order to work, a work employment visa must be obtained. A Spain Work Visa allows for the foreigner or foreigners to be able to enter, stay in Spain, and carry out any and all employed tasks, with previous Government Authorization. There are a multitude of steps that must be correctly followed in order to obtain the work visa. First bit of information regarding the work visa application process, the visa must be applied for in person. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expected date of travel. Starting from the time approval notification was received; residence visas must be picked up within 30 days,anytime after that, visas will be cancelled.

How long is a Spanish visa valid?

The visa from the department will only be valid for 90 days. Don’t be alarmed, this is normal. During the first month of your stay in Spain, you must go to the local police station to receive your full visa. They will ask for some original documents, which will be certified at the Consulate, and then you will be issued a ”Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero” (NIE). This card validates your residency until the listed expiration date. Note that the dates will be formatted DAY/MONTH/YEAR. Everyone working in Spain must register with the Spanish Social Security authorities, the General Social Security Fund (Dirección General de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social – TGSS). If you are an employee your employer will do this for you; if you are self-employed it is your responsibility. Take a look at their website for more information on how to register, contributions and benefits. There are also provincial offices all throughout Spain

Are there any exemptions for employee work permits in Spain?

Some individuals don’t have to have a work permit to do work in Spain. However, they may still need a visa to be able to enter into Spain. Examples of those who may be exempt from needing a work permit to be able to work in Spain include university professors, technicians, and scientists, those coming to Spain to develop scientific or cultural programs, foreign journalists, artists coming for specific performances, clergy, and trade union officials. There are no visa or work permit restrictions if you would like to come to Spain to carry out volunteer work.

Can students find employment in Spain?

If you have a student residence card, you can work up to 20 hours a week during your studies in Spain. Your employer must arrange a work permit on your behalf.

Can I work as a freelancer or self-employed?

In order to be able to work in Spain as a freelancer, it is necessary to apply for a Self employment Visa at a Spanish consulate or embassy. The work visas are valid for one year but can be renewed if all the conditions are still met. The required documentation for the work visa includes:

What is a business plan in Spain?

A business plan (if pertinent) Any contracts or commissions from companies. Any required licenses or registrations (industry or job-specific) Once you have the work and residence permit, you can apply for a visa to enter Spain, if necessary. Find out if you need an entry visa in our guide to Spanish visas.

Can a family member work in Spain?

Family members can join relatives of non- eu citizens who have been residing in Spain for one year and hold a residence permit for a further year , by applying for a family reunification residence permit. Once approved, family members can work without a work permit Non-EU relatives of EU/ EEA/Swiss citizens can come to Spain without waiting for a year and can also work without a permit.

Working in Spain

Spain has much to offer people who want to live and work in the country long-term. The nation scores high marks among OECD countries for work-life balance. Not only that, but it boasts year-round sunshine, excellent culture, and a vibrant food scene, making it highly appealing to expats from around the world.

Who needs a work visa in Spain

If you want to live and work in Spain, there are two main branches of authorities that you will be dealing with: the immigration authority under the Secretary of State for Migration ( La Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones ), and the labor and employment authorities under the Ministry of Labor and Economy ( Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social )..

Types of work visas in Spain

If you want to live and work in Spain as a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need a residence and work permit ( visado de trabajo y residencia ).

Work visas for employed persons

Before you can get a work employment visa ( por cuenta ajena ), you must first have a job offer . Your employer must then request a work permit for you to legally work in Spain. Permits are available for specific sectors, so it is usually possible to change jobs as long as it is in the same field.

Self-employed work visa

If the idea of being your own boss in Spain sounds appealing, then you might want to consider becoming self-employed, or what the Spanish refer to as an autónomo. However, it is important to understand that the process you will need to follow largely depends on your country of origin.

Work visas in Spain for students

If you have a student residence card, you can work up to 20 hours a week while you are studying in Spain. However, your employer must arrange a work permit on your behalf.

Work visas in Spain for family members

Family members can join non-EU relatives who have been living in Spain for one year, and hold a residence permit for a further year, by applying for a family reunification visa. Once approved, family members can work in the country without needing a work permit.

Who Needs a Work Visa in Spain?

In short, anyone who is not from EU countries needs to obtain a Spanish work visa to live and work in Spain. Without a work visa, a company cannot legally employ non-EU citizens, nor can a freelancer remain and work in Spain. Work permits, which may be limited to specific activities, are in general valid for a year and are renewable if you still fulfill the conditions. After five years, you can apply for a long-term residence permit in Spain.

How long is a work permit valid in Spain?

Work permits, which may be limited to specific activities, are in general valid for a year and are renewable if you still fulfill the conditions. After five years , you can apply for a long-term residence permit in Spain. Read: Health Insurance in Spain for Expats and Working Abroad.

How long is a Spanish work permit valid?

You will need to pick it up before entering Spain. The Spanish work permit is valid for one year and is renewable as long as you fulfill the conditions.

How to work in Spain as a non-EU citizen?

To work in Spain as a highly-skilled employee, non-EU citizens need to find a job listed as a ‘Shortage Occupation’. This is a list of occupations for which there is a lack of suitable candidates within the EU and gives you the chance to apply for that job. Some of the fields on the “in-demand” list are doctors, marketers, engineers, business consultants, etc. Once you get a job, but before moving to Spain, your new employer requests a work visa from the Ministry of Labour.

How long does it take to get a blue card in Spain?

Once the EU Blue card visa is approved, you must apply in person for a visa from a Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country within 1 month from your employer’s initial EU Blue card approval. When you get the permit from your embassy or consulate in your home country, you have three months to move to Spain.

What are the two types of visas that can be applied for in Spain?

First of all, the two visas that fall under the entrepreneur law (which you can apply to once inside Spain): the entrepreneur visa and the highly skilled visa.

What is a highly qualified visa?

The highly qualified visa is for those individuals who have a qualified job offer in Spain, or graduates/postgrads from universities and prestigious business schools.

Is Immigration Lawyers Spain good?

They keep up on all new laws and regulations. Provide excellent and efficient service with great results. I use Immigration Lawyers Spain for my personal immigration needs and we also use them for our corporate immigration needs.

What you need to know about the work visa in Spain

First things first, you’re going to need a visa if you’re a non-EU citizen aspiring to work in Spain.

How long can I live in Spain without a work visa?

You don't always need a work visa, sometimes a simple tourist visa is enough.

1. Employee Visa

The employee visa is the most basic option you can make use of. The employee visa is valid for a year and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the requirements are met.

2. Seasonal Work Visa

As the name suggests, the seasonal visa allows you to work in Spain for a fixed period, typically a couple of months.

3. EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is only attainable for individuals who have a high level of professional capacity. With the EU Blue Card, you can travel freely across EU states for up to 90 days in 180 days.

4. Self-employed and freelance visa

This type of visa is for individuals who want to independently work in Spain.

5. Au Pair Visa

As the name suggests, the Au Pair visa is for individuals who are set to provide au pair services to a family in Spain. This visa is valid for one year and can be extended to up to two years.

How long do you have to work to get a work permit in Spain?

In fact, there are a total of three ways in which you can get your work permission under your student visa. If you have studied for more than 3 years in Spain, you can switch from a student visa to a work permit. For that, you must have a job offer that lasts more than 1 year and consists of a minimum of 30 weekly hours.

What is a work permit in Spain?

In Spanish, the work permit to work as an employee is called “por cuenta ajena”. You may have seen it written like that in other platforms. This means that the first step in the process is to find a job offer from an employer in Spain. There must be a company willingly to hire you and to start the application procedure.

What is the temporary residence authorization in Spain?

The Royal Decree 557/2011 regulates the temporary residence authorization to work in Spain as a self-employed individual (also called “por cuenta propia”). It is for those individuals who would like to develop their economic activity on their own, without being employed by any company.

Is it easier to work in Spain?

Students also have it easier to work in Spain.

Does a work permit give rights to the main applicant?

Is this the case with the work permit? No. This type of visa just gives rights to the main applicant, not to his or her relatives.

How can I get a visa to Spain?

You will just need to study which of the different types of residency options best adapts to your situation, and check all its requirements.

How long does it take to get a visa for Spain?

After submitting the required visa application form and all the other relevant documents, your file will be processed. After 3-4 months , you will receive a positive response, hence being able to travel to Spain and get your residence permit for one year. In this step, having your NIE number will be required.

Should I legalize my documents?

Bear in mind that whenever you submit your application, you must have the attached documents legalized. That is the only option in which they will possess legal validity.

What is a tourist visa in Spain?

The Schengen visa, also called tourist, is the document you will have to apply for if you wish to visit Spain for tourism purposes. The main characteristic of this visa is that it is not specific to one country: with it, you can enter and freely travel through all the countries that are within the Schengen area.

How long does a Schengen visa last?

Tourist or Schengen visas last a maximum of 90 days. After those 3 months, if you wish to stay in the country you must apply for a regular residence permit.

What is non-lucrative visa?

If you are not going to conduct any kind of economic activity in the country, the non-lucrative visa is for you, the only requirement being to demonstrate sufficient economic funds.

How long do you have to stay in Spain to get a tourist visa?

On the other hand, non-EU citizens are required to get a tourist visa (if the plan to stay less than 3 months in Spain), or a residence visa for more than 90 days.

Work Visas in Spain

Who Needs A Work Visa in Spain?

• In short, anyone who is not from EU countries needs to obtain a Spanish work visa to live and work in Spain. Without a work visa, a company cannot legally employ non-EU citizens, nor can a freelancer remain and work in Spain. Work permits, which may be limited to specific activities, are in general valid for a year and are renewable if you still fu...

See more on internationalcitizens.com

Types of Work Visas in Spain

Exemptions For Employee Work Permits in Spain