29 January 2025
How to obtain work permits & visas in Spain: a complete guide
Relocating to Spain is an exciting prospect, offering a rich cultural environment, world-class cuisine, and abundant professional opportunities. Yet before you set foot on Spanish soil, it’s crucial to grasp the country’s work permit and visa requirements—knowing how to get a work visa in Spain is key to ensuring a smooth start. Whether you’re seeking a temporary post or a permanent role, the application process can be complex if you’re unfamiliar with local procedures.
This guide demystifies work permits & visas in Spain, covering the main categories, typical challenges expats face, and the practical steps to secure your best option. We’ll also explore how an Employer of Record in Spain can ease the journey, making sure you comply with Spanish regulations while focusing on the exciting parts of your move.
1. Types of work permits and visas in Spain
Spain offers various work and residency visa categories, depending on your skill set, job offer, and desired length of stay. Selecting the right one is crucial for legal compliance and shaping your long-term goals in the country. Below are the main routes:
EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals
- Overview: Citizens from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can live and work in Spain without a formal work permit, though registration with local authorities (e.g., the town hall or police station) is usually required.
- Key point: While you skip most administrative hurdles, be sure to apply for a Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) for financial and legal transactions.
Highly skilled worker visa (Ley 14/2013)
- Overview: A route designed for professionals with a high salary threshold and a specialized role (often managerial, technical, or R&D).
- Sponsorship: Requires a sponsoring employer in Spain who must justify the need for a “highly skilled” position.
- Advantages: Speeds up the process for those meeting specific salary or educational benchmarks.
Regular work permit (Cuenta Ajena)
- Overview: The most common permit for non-EU nationals with a standard job contract in Spain.
- Restrictions: You need a formal job offer; the employer must demonstrate no suitable EU candidate is available for that role.
- Duration: Typically valid for one year, renewable if conditions remain the same.
EU blue card
- Overview: Allows highly qualified professionals to work throughout the EU, but Spain has its own criteria on salary and qualifications.
- Eligibility: Requires proof of higher education or several years of professional experience, plus a contract meeting the salary threshold.
- Added benefit: Offers some flexibility to move within the EU after a certain period.
Entrepreneur visa
- Overview: Ideal if you plan to launch or operate a business in Spain.
- Requirement: Must demonstrate an innovative project with economic value, typically endorsed by Spain’s UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas).
- Duration: Often starts at one year, with options to extend or shift to other categories if successful.
For up-to-date information on work permit requirements and social security contributions, consult the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Securit, and Migration. You can also watch for immigration and work law announcements through La Moncloa, which provides official releases on any upcoming reforms or policy updates.
2. Key challenges expats face
Although official guidelines exist, securing a Spanish work permit can still be challenging. You often need to provide evidence of qualifications, valid health insurance, financial statements, and a formal job offer or business plan—any missing piece can put your application on hold.
Spain’s rules also shift over time, especially regarding skilled workers and non-EU applicants, so relying on out-of-date instructions or informal hearsay can create errors. Choosing the wrong visa category or overstaying can prompt rejections, fines, or even deportation.
Finally, the entire process can take a toll when you’re balancing your move, job preparations, and family obligations, since one slip-up may lead to weeks or months of delays.
3. How Employer of Record (EOR) services simplify the process
An Employer of Record in Spain can play a pivotal role for expats alike, by:
- Ensuring compliance: EORs stay current on Spanish labor laws, sponsorship rules, and tax regulations, minimizing the risk of missteps.
- Streamlining applications: They collaborate with you and your employer to compile the correct forms, confirm your contract meets requirements, and oversee any Spain-specific obligations.
- Reducing administrative load: While you handle personal tasks—like finding housing or learning Spanish—the EOR deals with payroll, social security, and HR details in line with local standards.
For instance, Gabrielle, a marketing consultant from Canada, dreamed of relocating to Barcelona to collaborate with a local startup. After struggling to interpret Spanish work permit rules and meet tight deadlines, she enlisted the help of an Employer of Record. The EOR guided her through the visa application, ensured her contract met Spanish labor standards, and handled payroll compliance. Within a couple of months, Gabrielle landed in Barcelona, ready to start her new chapter with peace of mind.
4. Your step-by-step guide to obtaining a work permit in Spain
Below you’ll find a practical roadmap to help you handle the visa process, from research to relocation:
- Research the appropriate visa category
Identify which route suits your role. For a specialized job offer, a Highly Skilled Worker visa or EU Blue Card may apply. If you’re a non-EU national with a standard contract, the Cuenta Ajena is your go-to. - Assemble necessary paperwork
Prepare a valid passport, an official job offer or contract, financial statements, and—if applicable—proof of professional qualifications or a business plan. Non-EU applicants often need health insurance and an FBI background check (or equivalent) with an apostille, depending on your origin country. - Apply through the correct channel
Non-EU nationals typically apply via a Spanish consulate or embassy in their home country. If you’re switching from a student visa to a work permit, you might do so from within Spain, but only under specific conditions. - Pay fees and submit biometrics
Depending on your visa type, you’ll pay a fee and possibly submit biometrics (fingerprints) as part of the application. Keep receipts and references for follow-up. - Await approval and follow instructions
Processing times vary. Some Skilled Worker routes may be faster if they’re classified as high-priority, while standard work permits can take several weeks or months. You’ll receive a visa sticker or authorization to collect your permit in Spain upon approval. - Arrive and register locally
Once in Spain, obtain your Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) and register at the local town hall (Empadronamiento). If you’re using an EOR, they’ll guide you through contract signing, payroll setup, and any social security obligations.
5. Making your transition smoother with professional support
Changes to Spain’s immigration policies can occur, influenced by economic conditions or EU directives. Monitoring official resources—like the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migrations—helps you remain prepared.
By partnering with a Spanish Employer of Record, you avoid the hassle of forming a local entity or deciphering compliance issues alone. EORs will ensure the contract you sign aligns with Spanish labor laws and that your wages meet the relevant threshold for your visa category.
If your aim is long-term residence or eventual citizenship, research how your chosen visa affects that timeline. Some categories, once extended, may open doors to permanent residency after five years, provided you fulfill certain conditions like continuous stay and sufficient financial resources.
Conclusion: your next steps
Managing work permits & visas in Spain doesn’t have to be daunting. By determining the correct visa pathway, preparing essential documents, and potentially working with an Employer of Record, you can reduce the pitfalls that often delay or derail relocation plans.
Identify the visa type that fits your job offer or entrepreneurship goals, gather the correct paperwork, and pay close attention to local requirements. Keep up with policy shifts, especially if you plan to renew or change statuses later. EOR services or legal advisors can clarify complex issues—like meeting financial thresholds or ensuring your contract’s terms align with Spanish labor laws.
Whether you’re planning a short-term assignment or imagining a permanent move, understanding how to obtain work permits & visas in Spain is your foundation for success. With the correct guidance and resources, you can focus on immersing yourself in Spain’s vibrant culture, learning the language, and embracing a fulfilling professional journey.
Ready to begin? Contact us to discover how an Employer of Record in Spain can streamline your application process, ensure compliance, and help you smoothly transition to working life in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula.