Spain work visa: Application process and requirements (2024)

Do you want to work in Spain? Our guide to work visas in Spain gives you an overview of the types of permits in Spain and how to apply for them.

Yordan

5 minute read

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Updated on 4 Mar 2025

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Moving

Dreaming of working in Spain? As a non-EU citizen, the bureaucratic process for your work visa in Spain can be challenging. Well, you’re not alone!

Keep reading to find out about the type of work visas, the requirements and what to expect from the application process.

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

There're 5 types of work visas in Spain:

1. Long-term Work Visa
2. Seasonal Work Visa
3. EU Blue Card
4. Self-employed and freelance work visa
5. Au Pair Visa

The work visa is a strict requirement for all non-EU expat wanting to work in Spain. Each of the visas grants you the legal right to work in Spain for a period of 1 year. You can renew the document every year as long as you meet the requirements.

Once you’ve held your work visa for 5 continuous years, you’re eligible to apply for a long-term residence in Spain.

Therefore, your work visa should be at the top of your moving checklist.

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

Short-term visits (up to 90 days)

Non-EU citizens can spend up to 90 days in Spain within a 180 day period without any visa. The 90-day rule states that you can enter Spain as many times as you wish within a 180-day period.

Exceeding the 90 days free entry period results in legal consequences, so you must keep a good count!

Keep in mind: the short-stay permit is for tourists and doesn’t allow you to start a legal job or register at an address in Spain. For that, you’ll need to apply and meet the requirements for a work visa.

Joining relatives who work in Spain

Family members may stay up to one year with their non-EU relatives, who are living in Spain. After receiving a residence permit for family reunification, their stay can be extended for a further period.

So how do you get a work visa in Spain?

There are 5 options you can make use of:

• Employee Visa
• Seasonal Work Visas
• EU Blue Card
• Self-employed and freelance visa
• Au Pair Visa

Keep reading to find out the requirements and application process for each of them.

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

Requirements for an employee visa

• You need to have signed a contract with a company operating in Spain
• Your job has to be classified as a “Shortage Occupation” or there were no suitable candidates within the EU to fill your position.

Application process

1. You secure a contract with a Spanish employer
2. Your employer requests a work permit on your behalf to the local office of the Ministry of Labor (Delegación Provincial del Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración)
3. You receive a copy of the visa application
4. You share the copy of the visa application as part of the visa request with your local Spanish embassy
5. Your local embassy notifies the Ministry of Labor regional office of the receival of your application
6. The regional office of the Ministry of Labor processes your application
7. Your local Spanish embassy issues your work visa

Total required time: Up to 8 months

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

Requirements for a seasonal work visa

• You've signed a contract with a company operating in Spain
• You've adequate accommodation
• Your travel expenses are covered You must return to your home country upon the expiration of the seasonal contract

Application Process

1. You secure a contract with a Spanish employer
2. Your employer requests a work permit on your behalf to the local office of the Ministry of Labor (Delegación Provincial del Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración)
3. You receive a copy of the visa application
4. You share the copy of the visa application as part of the visa request with your local Spanish embassy
5. Your local embassy notifies the Ministry of Labor regional office of the receival of your application
6. The regional office of the Ministry of Labor processes your application
7. Your local Spanish embassy issues your work visa

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.

Requirements for the EU Blue Card

• You've successfully attained a higher education qualification across a period of at least 3 years or have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience
• You've a valid passport
• You've a medical certificate
• You've a clean criminal record certificate
• You've a legally binding job offer or a signed contract
• Your job has to pay at least 1.5 times the average salary in Spain
• You've arrived in Spain within 3 months of the date of issue of the visa

Application process

1. You secure a contract with a Spanish employer
2. Your employer applies on your behalf and provides evidence that your position couldn't have been filled by an EU citizen
3. Your employer includes information about your qualifications and provides a copy of your passport/ ID along with a certificate for health insurance in Spain
4. You apply for a visa at your local Spanish embassy upon receiving the EU Blue Card
5. You provide a valid passport, a medical certificate, a clean criminal record certificate
6. You provide your job contract

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

Requirements for a self-employed and freelance visa

• You've to provide a business plan (if applicable to your situation)
• You provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your personal expenses and those of your business
• You provide proof of your skills and experience
• You provide contacts or commissions from client companies
• You possess all the valid permits to carry out your business in Spain
• You signify the potential of creating employment in Spain

Application Process

You file a work permit application at your local Spanish embassy along with all the required documentation

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

Requirements for an Au Pair Visa

• You've to be between the ages of 17 and 30
• You've a formally notarised Au Pair agreement between the host family and yourself. The agreement must state the details of the work and the salary
• You've proof that you can support yourself self-sufficiently
• You provide proof of medical coverage
• You provide proof of clean criminal records

Application Process

1. Make a visa appointment at your regional representative brach of Spain
2. Take part in an interview with a consular officer, during which you have to submit all of the required documents

Needless to say, there’s a fee for getting any type of visa in Spain. How much you'll pay will depend on your country of origin. For instance, applying for a self-employment visa will cost €248 for U.S. citizens, while the whole process will cost around €1447 for Canadian citizens.

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