What situations allow you to obtain work permits in Spain? (2024)

FAQs

What situations allow you to obtain work permits in Spain? ›

Spanish work permits are typically issued on the basis of a job offer from a Spanish employer in a highly competitive industry. They can also be issued to employers who have made reasonable efforts to fill the position with a Spanish citizen, European national, EEA national, or Swiss national.

Spain Work Visa Requirements and Checklist for Applicants

Original work permit/training permit obtained by the Spain basedemployer. Two recent passport sized colored photographs on a white background with 80% face cover on a matt or semi-matt finished paper (35mm x 45mm). Personal ITR for last 3 years. Pay slips.

Having a residence and work authorization

Thus, by obtaining a work authorization (work permit) you will be able to work in the Spanish territory, either as an employee (for a company) or as a self-employed person (as a freelancer).

If you plan to relocate to Spain for work and are moving from outside the EU/EEA, you will need to apply for a Spanish work visa. When it comes to getting a work residence permit in Spain, EU-citizens have it easier. For non-EU citizens, the process may take longer and require more preparation.

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). There are various types of work permits for different types of jobs and lengths of employment.

Workers who are at least 18 years of age can sign a work contract. Those between 16 and 18 years old will need permission from a parent. It is generally not legal for people younger than 16 years old to work in Spain – there are some exceptions for artists, but the Labor Authority must authorize this.

If you plan to work in Spain for over three months, apply for a visa and work permit after securing a job. There are different Spanish work visas available depending on the work you do and the length of your employment. Some common visas are long-term work visas, seasonal work visas, au pair visas and EU Blue Cards.

Can you work in Spain if you are an American citizen? American citizens wanting to study, reside, or work in Spain must obtain the appropriate visa from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their state/country of last residence.

Sales, engineering, customer service, marketing, tourism, finance, legal, healthcare, information technology, and data processing are among the most popular jobs in Spain in 2024. Let's have a deeper look at each of these especially when it comes to working in your native language (e.g. German, Dutch, French and more).

To prove employment authorization, USCIS will accept:

a U.S. citizen ID card. a resident citizen ID card, or. unexpired employment authorization documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

How long does it take to process a work permit in Spain? ›

Once you have attended the interview and submitted your documents the notification period can take up to 3 months, depending on how busy the consular office is. Once approved, you will have 1 month after the notification to collect the visa in person.

Knowing how to find a job in Spain as a foreigner is not a straightforward process. In general, integration into Spain's job market is easier if you speak Spanish, but speaking English is generally a good asset as well. If you plan on moving to Spain, make sure you land a job beforehand.

Eligibility Criteria for Non-EU Citizens

Additionally, they must have a work contract or a legally binding job offer with a salary that is at least 1.5 times the average wage in Spain (or 1.2 times for in-demand jobs). The minimum annual salary requirement for non-EU citizens applying for a Spain work visa is €33,908.

Job Seekers: Aspiring workers need an NIE to legally work in Spain. However, if you are a non-EU citizen, you will need a residence and work permit in addition to the NIE if you want to legally work in Spain.

Before moving to work in Spain, non European Union foreigners must obtain a work and residence visa. Please remember that application of work and residence visa must be placed before the Spanish Consulate office in your home country.

Non-Spanish citizens don't just need a visa; there are other required documents to work in Spain. A Foreigner's Identity Number, or NIE, is like a Spanish tax number. Obtaining an NIE number is mandatory for all non-Spanish citizens operating in Spain—including those from EU/EEA countries.

Once you have attended the interview and submitted your documents the notification period can take up to 3 months, depending on how busy the consular office is. Once approved, you will have 1 month after the notification to collect the visa in person.

Eligibility Criteria for Non-EU Citizens

Additionally, they must have a work contract or a legally binding job offer with a salary that is at least 1.5 times the average wage in Spain (or 1.2 times for in-demand jobs). The minimum annual salary requirement for non-EU citizens applying for a Spain work visa is €33,908.

This requires proof of an income of €30,240 per year. In June 2023, Spain introduced the EU Blue Card, which requires an employment contract lasting for at least six months that will pay you 1.5 times the average gross annual salary, which based on 2022 salary figures, comes to €38,000 a year.