Spain Work Visa from Canada

If you are a Canadian citizen who has received a qualifying job offer, a transfer offer, or who is otherwise hoping to establish a working existence in Spain, you may be eligible for one of Spain’s work permissions.

Work visas are generally required for any non-EU or EEA national and will facilitate life and employment in Spain for a varied duration.

Page Contents

• Who Can Apply for a Spain Work Visa?
• What Are the Requirements for Spanish Work Visas?
• Types of Work Visa in Spain
• Employment Visa
• Visa For Highly Qualified Workers
• The Spanish EU Blue Card
• Intra-Company Transfers
• Seasonal Work Visa
• Self Employment Visa
• Entrepreneur Visa
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Working Holiday Visa
• Visa for Au Pairs
• Five Steps to Get a Work Visa in Spain
• Documents Required for Spain Work Visa
• Spain Work Visa Fees
• What to Do When You Have Arrived in Spain
• How Long Does a Work Visa Last in Spain?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Spanish work visas require you to show a viable work plan for when you come to the country. This might include a variety of legally binding job opportunities or independent business plans that show that you can support yourself.

As visas are granted with the condition that you will not negatively impact public interest, you must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. You must also provide a criminal record certificate and medical certificate. You are also required to take out a private health insurance policy that will cover you for at least €30,000.

Depending on the type of work plan to do, you will need to show that you have all relevant licences and sufficient qualifications to carry out the required tasks.

Spain offers several different work visas for those who wish to come to the country for employment reasons.

Available options include employment-based pathways, some of which your employer may need to apply for in your stead.

Alternatively, there are numerous independent categories including freelance work or entrepreneurial projects if you have an innovative business idea.

Employees who have received an invitation to work for a Spanish company will usually require an employment-based visa.

Requirements tend to include evidence of a legally-binding job offer or transfer within their existing company and your qualifications, experience and ability to carry out the contracted work will be evaluated.

Some of these visas cannot be applied for by the worker but must be requested by their employer.

This visa must be applied for by employers. If you are planning to hire a Canadian worker who has significant qualifications, you may be able to apply for a highly qualified work permission for them.

While specific requirements depend on the profession, they will usually need to have a university degree or equivalent vocational training or business school qualification. Alternatively, three years of work experience in a related field may also qualify.

While similar to the qualified worker visa, the EU Blue Card (Tarjeta Azul UE) offers additional benefits as its widespread adoption means that future mobility within EU Countries is possible.

To qualify, workers must have an employment offer for at least 6 months. As with the qualified worker pathways, you must show that you are trained to carry out this work but the qualifications differ slightly.

Generally, you will need to have completed a higher qualification degree that took at least three years. Alternatively, relevant experience of five years or more may be considered.

EU Blue Cards are issued with a three-year validity but you can apply to renew them if your conditions still qualify. This permission allows for family members to accompany workers as dependents.

If you need to transfer one of your employees to work in Spain, the intra-company transfer visa may be the best solution. Note that your employee must have been working with you for at least three months before you can apply for this visa.

With an intra-company transfer permission, your employee will usually be able to work and live in Spain for three years. This visa also permits workers to apply to bring family members.

There are two types of this transfer visa that cover different work conditions, be sure you apply for the right one.

The EU ICT

If you are transferring an employee to work at a Spanish branch of your company, the EU ICT will usually be the appropriate permission. It is most commonly issued to experts or managers but also includes trainees.

The National ICT

Transfers that do not fall under the conditions of the EU ICT will require the National ICT instead. If you are sending an employee to work on a Spanish client site instead of a company branch, this will be the correct option.

If you are planning to employ seasonal workers, you will need to apply for this time-restricted visa for them. It will be your responsibility to provide accommodation for the full duration that the workers will be with you. You must also show that travel costs are paid for either by the worker or yourself.

Make sure to inform your workers that this visa cannot lead to long-term employment. It may only be issued for the duration of the employment contract and may not exceed 9 months. Workers have to return to their home country afterwards.

Individuals who are not fixed employees of a company may still request to work in Spain independently. As a self-employed professional, you will need to submit business plans or similar details that show you are actually professionally active.

Evidence of existing contracts with clients, past and ongoing commissions, or any other arrangements can help you succeed when applying for Self Employed visa. It is also required that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses.

While this visa is issued for one year at a time, it can be renewed if you continue to qualify.

Unlike the self-employment visa, which covers any business idea, the entrepreneurial visa requires an innovative business venture that has been signed off on by the ENISA. Generally, qualifying characteristics should show that your business has the potential to create positive impacts such as jobs and a general positive contribution to the Spanish economy.

You will need to show business plans and financial documentation to prove that you have a viable idea and the means to invest in it. Additionally, you will be asked to prove that you have the qualifications or experience to lead this project.

The Entrepreneur visa is valid for three years, but you may be able to renew it for two more years after which you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

The digital nomad visa caters to workers who work for international clients either on a fixed or contractual basis. You will need to show a preexisting professional relationship with an overseas company that has been operating for at least one year. If you have more than one client, you must show a sustained business relationship with at least one of them that has lasted three months minimum.

When applying, the feasibility of your work will be evaluated. Here, you will need to show that you are qualified and that your work is suitable for a remote arrangement.

Additionally, you must meet minimum remuneration requirements. This may vary but tends to sit at around €2,160 per month or €25,920 annually. Accommodation plans and a suitable health insurance cover will also be required.

Spain offers a working holiday youth mobility visa for young people from certain countries including Canada. To qualify, you must be between 18 to 35 years old and have sufficient funds to support yourself. Financial requirements may vary but should amount to at least €7,200 for a year.

Take note that this visa can only be granted once. While this visa allows for some work, you should note that it should predominantly be a holiday. While the visa may be issued for one year, it permits 3 months of work for an employer.

You will need to speak at least basic Spanish.

Canadian applicants wishing to benefit from this visa will also be required to show police certificates from all countries that they have visited in the past 5 years.

Spain doesn’t offer a special visa for Au Pairs. However, you can still apply for a different visa which is most commonly a student visa. While this will require you to enrol in an educational programme as well (language courses are the most popular), this will often be compatible with the general needs of an Au Pair program.

Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old and have an official affiliation with an Au Pair program. When applying, you will be asked to share the details of the host family that you will be staying with and how much allowance you will receive. You must also detail any work that you will be doing.

Au pairs will need to meet certain language requirements and speak English, Spanish, German or French.

You should keep in mind that this visa is limited to one-year maximum.

Your application will need to be supported by evidence that confirms your personal details and shows how you qualify for your chosen permission. While the exact documents you need may vary, you should expect to submit the following:

• The invitation letter from your employer, job offer, or details of other work plans
• Your valid passport (make sure that it will be valid for at least 6 more months from your planned date of travel)
• Your signed visa application form
• A recent photo (make sure that it is visa-compliant)
• Your health insurance policy
• Your medical certificate
• Your criminal record certificate
• Financial details
• Accommodation plans
• Your relevant qualifications

You should also submit any additional documents that support your application or explain your individual circumstances.

The visa fees for different types of work visas are not always the same but in general, Canadian citizens should expect to pay between €100 to €674.

If you have arrived in Spain with plans to stay for more than six months, you must obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). Remember to apply for this within the first month of your arrival.

Additionally, you should double-check that you have all required permissions and licences before you start to work.

Depending on the visa you have applied to it will usually last between 1 year to 3 years after which you may be eligible to apply for an extension.

Certain internship agreements may only last 6 months while seasonal arrangements may not exceed 9 months. You should always double-check what the visa you have been granted says as it is your responsibility to adhere to this.

Overstaying a visa can have significant legal consequences with the Spanish authorities and may impact your ability to continue living and working in Spain in the future.