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Reviewed April 2024

Spain is a country that provides numerous employment opportunities for individuals seeking work abroad. Expats are especially sought after in Spain due to the availability of jobs in sectors such as tourism, education, healthcare, and technology. However, non-EU citizens will require a work visa to work in Spain.

Read more on Wego to discover the process of obtaining a Spain work visa, awaiting those pursuing their professional ambitions in Spain.

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Spain work visa 2024

You must obtain a work visa if you are a non-EU citizen who wants to work in Spain. Essentially, a work visa grants you legal status and permission to reside and work in Spain. The specific visa category depends on factors such as the type and duration of your intended occupation.

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Highly qualified work visa

If you are a non-EU national with a job offer in Spain requiring high qualifications or skills, you may apply for a highly qualified work visa. This visa is intended for executive managers overseeing teams or professionals filling roles requiring advanced training or experience. With this visa, you will be granted permission to work and live in Spain for a maximum of two years, with the opportunity to extend your stay through renewal.

However, the worker must meet the following eligibility criteria:

must have a university degree, a master’s degree, or a Ph.D.; or
- a minimum of 3 years of work experience within the industry;
if the worker is a director or manager, the salary must be at least EUR 54,142;
if we are talking about a lower category, EUR 40,077 per year.

Not every company is eligible for this type of visa. Meeting the requirements of your background and job offer does not guarantee immediate approval for this visa. Unless you are a graduate or post-graduate from a renowned business university in Spain, being hired by such a prestigious institution would increase your chances. Ensuring that the company where you will be employed meets the necessary criteria to obtain your work visa is crucial.

be a large company;
being a company within a group of companies;
being an SME within a strategic sector for Spain;
to be a company that develops a project of general interest for the Spanish economy.

Seasonal worker visa

If you are a non-EU citizen and have been offered a job or contract for a temporary position in Spain, you can seek approval for a seasonal work visa. This type of visa will grant you the right to reside and be employed in Spain exclusively during your contractual commitment. In addition, you must fulfill particular prerequisites:

you should have accommodation in conditions of adequate dignity and hygiene provided by the employer;
your travel costs are covered;
you will return to your country of origin when the contract is finished.

Self-employed and freelancer work visa

This visa is designed for non-EU citizens interested in working in Spain as self-employed or freelance professionals. With this, individuals can live and work in Spain for one year, which can be renewed if desired. This type of visa grants you permission to pursue your chosen profession independently within the Spanish market.

Au pair visa

A visa for au pairs in Spain is a form of long-term visa that grants young individuals aged 18 to 30 the opportunity to reside with a Spanish host family. In this arrangement, they provide assistance with childcare and household tasks while immersing themselves in Spanish culture and language acquisition.

Spain work visa requirements

The applicant must submit the following documents to apply for a work visa.

For highly qualified workers

national visa application form
- if the applicant is a minor, either of the parents must sign the application
recent passport-size coloured photograph
- taken against a light background
- facing forward
- without dark or reflective glasses or any garments concealing the oval of the face
passport with 1-year validity
original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 2 years
- this certificate cannot be older than 6 months unless the certificate itself specifies a longer expiration
- for UK Criminal Records, submit ACRO Certificate
- must be legalised through the Spanish Representations in the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised
- sworn translation into Spanish
proof of residence in the consular district
proof of the representative’s identity and capacity
- if the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to present originals and submit copies of the identity document or passport of one of their parents, as well as of the document constituting proof of kinship

For a self-employed work permit

application form for an initial residence and self-employed work permit
photocopy of every page of a valid, unexpired passport or travel document
activity permits and licenses
original and a copy of the documents accrediting the legally required training, and, where applicable, qualifications for the professional practice
plan for the establishment or activity to be carried out, indicating the planned investment, the expected return, and, where applicable, the jobs that will be created
original and a copy of the documents accrediting that the applicant has sufficient financial means

For seasonal workers

national visa application form
recent passport-size coloured photograph
- taken against a light background
- facing forward
- without dark or reflective glasses or any garments concealing the oval of the face
passport with 4 months validity
copy of the Autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta ajena
copy of the work contract stamped by the Foreign Nationals’ Office
original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years
- this certificate cannot be older than 3 months unless the certificate itself specifies a longer expiration
- for UK Criminal Records, submit ACRO Certificate
- must be legalised through the Spanish Representations in the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised
- sworn translation into Spanish
original and a copy of a medical certificate
proof of residence in the consular district
proof of the representative’s identity and capacity

For au pair visa

national visa application form
photo attached to the application form
passport with 1-year validity
proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction (State ID, Driver’s License, or Student ID)
proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-Americans). Must present one of the following documents:
- original and copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card)
- valid US Immigrant visa plus a copy of the I-20 document
- holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence
acceptance letter in Spanish issued by an approved Language school in Spain indicating:
- - applicant’s full name
  - passport number
  - initial and ending dates of the course
  - minimum 20h per week
  - contact name, phone number, and email of the person at the school
proof of financial means. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of IPREM. While the General State Budgets for 2024 is yet to be published, the IPREM will remain frozen with the values registered in 2023, which is approx. USD 700 per month, provide either of the following:
- three last bank statements of the applicant’s bank account showing a minimum balance for the complete stay in Spain
- notarized letter of parents/custodians, assuming complete financial responsibility, along with their bank statements for the last three months
health insurance. Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company operating in Spain specifying:
- name of the applicant
- start date of the coverage
- repatriation coverage
- minimum coverage is USD 500.000. No deductibles
- an Insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage
- travel insurance is not accepted
contract/agreement based on the rules and conditions of the Au Pair program, signed by the family and Au pair in Spanish, legitimated “legitimación” by a Notary in Spain. It must contain at least these sections:
- duration of the placement agreement
- participation in services or chores
- provision of one full day off per week
- the address, which the placed Au pair will share with the host family
- a commitment of the host family to allow the person time to attend language courses
- the money pocket amount that the Au pair will receive monthly
pre-paid Priority mail envelope only from the United States Postal Services, along with a tracking number
shipping disclaimer form

For stays over 180 days, add the following:

original and copy of the criminal record check certificate with 6 months validity issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC
- must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years
- certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator: American Translators Association
- local State Apostille is not valid
Bilingual Medical certificate. It is recommended to use this template

Spain work visa application online

To apply for a visa, the applicant or their parent (if the applicant is a minor) should personally submit the application. Another option is to have a trusted representative submit it on behalf of the applicant. For work visa applications, applicants must go to an authorized BLS International Centre in their country rather than directly at the Consulate.

acquire a job in Spain
- business plan for a self-employment visa
book an appointment at BLS International Centre by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
- in the subject, you must specify the type of residence visa you wish to apply for
- the message must state;
  - given name and surname
  - passport number
  - email address
  - phone number
  - place of residence in the UK
  - type of residence visa you wish to apply for
- attach the initial residence and employee work permit
- you can also book an appointment at their website by selecting the region and country you wish to apply from
wait for the confirmation e-mail with your username and password
once you receive the confirmation e-mail with your password, you can choose the date and time of your appointment and modify or cancel if needed
attend your scheduled visa interview with the required documents
- if you were asked to submit any additional documents, you can submit them on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, without an appointment, between 10:00AM and 12:00PM. It is necessary to submit the original and photocopy with your “visa enrollment receipt”
give your biometrics
pay the visa fee
you can then check the status of your application with a code that the Consular Office provided
collect your visa in person within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified
- the Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for returning the passport and any other original documentation

Spain work visa processing time

The processing time for work visas typically takes around one month from the day following the date of application submission. However, this timeframe can be extended if an interview is required or additional documents must be provided.

Spain work visa price

The price of a Spanish work visa is determined based on the type of visa you are applying for and your nationality. The self-employed visa can cost EUR 219.10, while the employee work visa can cost EUR 154.20. However, if you hold citizenship from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States of America, or the United Kingdom, different rates may apply due to reciprocity considerations. In such cases, it becomes necessary for the Consular Office to consult and ascertain the specific fee amount that should be charged.