Nika is from the Philippines and has been an expat in Spain for nearly 6 years. She began off instructing English, and now works at Balcells Group Attorneys. She continues to study the ropes of residing and dealing out of the country, and is grateful for all of the alternatives it has given her. We thank her for taking the time to put in writing this essential article on Spanish work visas for Expatclic.
With its vibrant tradition and wealthy historical past, Spain is a dream vacation spot for a lot of aspiring to start out a brand new life overseas. Whereas touring to this lovely nation is the straightforward half, the actual problem for non-European residents lies in settling down and discovering employment alternatives.
The excellent news is that Spain has a variety of visas that assist you to work, relying in your skilled wants, abilities, and objectives.
On this article, I’ll inform you all about these seven visas, together with normal necessities and procedures. Whether or not you might be an entrepreneur, a extremely expert skilled, or somebody trying to achieve expertise within the Spanish job market, this overview will likely be of nice assist.
Conventional Work Allow
Let’s begin with probably the most conventional choice, the common work allow. In Spain, there are two kinds of common work permits: the worker work allow and the self-employed work allow. Sometimes, it’s essential to apply for these visas from your property nation. Nonetheless, when you full larger training in Spain, you possibly can modify it from a pupil visa to a piece allow when you safe a job.
For the worker work allow, the hiring firm should present a job supply and sponsor your work allow. If you’re making use of as a self-employed particular person, you will have to current a complete marketing strategy, and register as a freelancer.
It’s essential to notice that this visa course of often takes longer than others, because it falls beneath the Common Immigration Regime.

Entrepreneur Visa
Much like the self-employed work allow, the Entrepreneur Visa requires the submission of a marketing strategy. Nonetheless, for the Entrepreneur Visa, the marketing strategy should current an modern and scalable services or products, guaranteeing that nothing prefer it at the moment exists in Spain. This marketing strategy is submitted to ENISA, Spain’s nationwide innovation firm. In the meantime, the visa utility itself is submitted to the Giant Enterprise and Strategic Teams Unit, often known as the UGE-CE.
If ENISA approves your marketing strategy, they’ll notify the UGE-CE, and you’ll obtain your favorable decision.
Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, ruled by the Entrepreneur’s Legislation, is processed inside 20 days. Because the identify suggests, this visa is for people who want to work remotely in Spain for firms or purchasers primarily based overseas.
To qualify, at the least 80% of your complete revenue should come from outdoors of Spain, and try to be incomes roughly 32,000 euros yearly. Moreover, it’s essential to have had a longtime working relationship together with your employer or purchasers for at the least three months earlier than making use of for this visa.
This visa will be utilized for from your property nation or whereas in Spain on a vacationer visa.
Extremely-Certified Skilled Visa
The Extremely-Certified Skilled Visa can also be ruled by the Entrepreneur’s Legislation, guaranteeing a fast-track decision. The primary requirement is to have a job supply with a minimal annual wage of 40,000 euros for scientific or mental positions, or 54,000 euros for managerial roles.
Your training, work expertise, and abilities have to be in-line with and assist this job supply.
Household Member of an EU Citizen Card
If you’re a relative of a Spanish or European Union citizen residing in Spain, you’re in luck. You possibly can simply receive a 5-year residency card that means that you can reside and work within the nation. This card applies to spouses or civil companions, kids beneath 21 years outdated, and oldsters over 65 of EU residents.
So long as you possibly can concretely show the familial hyperlink, and show that your EU relative has enough financial assets, there must be no hassle.

Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is an easy and enticing choice for these trying to reside and work in Spain. By investing 500,000 euros in Spanish actual property, you possibly can receive residency rights for your self and your quick household.
This visa affords a number of advantages, together with the flexibility to stay a non-tax resident, as there isn’t any minimal keep requirement. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that Spain has plans to section out the Golden Visa program. Whereas particular particulars and dates have but to be introduced, and the precise timeline stays unsure, it’s nonetheless at the moment potential to use.
Pupil Visa
Though it’s technically a examine allow quite than a piece allow, Spain’s pupil visa means that you can work as much as 30 hours per week. To qualify, you have to be enrolled in larger training, akin to a bachelor’s, grasp’s, or PhD program, and your employment should not intrude together with your class schedule. This supplies a beneficial alternative for college students to realize work expertise and complement their revenue whereas finding out in Spain.
Moreover, upon finishing your research and in case you have a job supply, you’ve gotten the choice to transition to an everyday work allow, making it simpler to proceed residing and dealing in Spain.
Dwelling and dealing in Spain
Navigating the varied visa choices accessible for working in Spain can appear complicated, however understanding your selections can simplify the method and open doorways to thrilling alternatives. As we’ve seen, there are tailor-made choices for various skilled wants and circumstances.
Every of those visas has particular necessities and advantages, catering to various aspirations and backgrounds. There’s little doubt you’ll discover a pathway that aligns together with your skilled objectives and facilitates your integration into the Spanish workforce.
Whether or not you purpose to speculate, innovate, examine, or just search new job alternatives, Spain affords a wide range of visas that will help you obtain your goals of working and residing on this vibrant nation.
Nika Crisostomo
Spain
July 2024
All pics @ClaudiaLandini
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