Spain Work Visa from UK
British citizens moving to Spain for work normally need residence and work authorisation and the appropriate visa. The route depends on whether you will join a Spanish employer, run a business or work remotely for an overseas company. Certain short business visits and service assignments have different rules.
Total Law can help you choose the right route and prepare your application. Call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or contact us online for advice.
Do Brits Require a Work Visa in Spain?
Usually, British citizens require a work visa when moving to Spain to work. The purpose of your visit, the duration and your planned activities all contribute to the visa you need when working in Spain.
There are different visa routes depending on if you plan to work for a short time in Spain for a British company, or move to Spain for work for a Spanish company.
Business Trips & Short-Term Work Assignments
- If you are doing some work activities, such as attending meetings and conferences in Spain, British citizens can travel visa-free and stay for up to 90 days in any 180 day period (across the Schengen area). However, if you plan to do work beyond these activities, you may need work authorisation. You cannot do work for a Spanish company.
- On 18 March 2026, Rachel Reeves and Spanish economy minister Carlos Cuerpo announced Spain’s decision to exempt British nationals from the visa requirement for providing services during stays of less than 90 days. British professionals travelling to Spain on qualifying service assignments, including assignments for a UK business can do permitted work activities visa-free (or with ETIAS when in effect). Before travelling, workers and employers should confirm with the Spanish consulate whether their assignment qualifies and whether separate work authorisation, posting notifications or Social Security documentation are required.
- Withdrawal Agreement Protections: British citizens whose rights in Spain are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement can continue working under those rights. This generally covers people lawfully resident before 1 January 2021 who remain within the agreement’s conditions.
- Currently, British citizens can travel to Spain visa-free because ETIAS is not yet operational. Once introduced, it will affect eligible visa-exempt short-stay travellers.
Do Not assume you can work in Spain without a visa. There are certain circumstances that permit it, and there are rules and conditions for doing so. Particularly with the EU’s Entry and Exit System (EES) where activity can be more closely scrutinised, it is important to ensure you have a legal right to work and do your planned activities while in Spain.
Employers and employees can seek advice from our Spanish immigration lawyers to understand the permission they need to work, continue to work or post workers in Spain. Contact our experts today on +34 919015010.
Working in Spain Long-Term, Which Spain Work Visa Do I Need?
A work visa is not required for every short assignment. First establish whether an exemption covers your activities. For relocation or work requiring authorisation, there are numerous options. The best option for you, depends on your reason for coming to Spain.
The Spanish government offers many different types of visas to foreign nationals who wish to spend time working or building a business in Spain. It is important to understand which visa is the right one for your circumstances before you spend time and resources applying for a work permit.
| Route | Best suited to | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Employee visa | Taking a job with a Spanish employer | Employer obtains initial residence and work authorisation |
| Highly qualified professional | Qualifying professional or management roles | Suitable qualifications or experience, qualifying role and applicable salary requirements |
| EU Blue Card | Highly qualified employment with EU mobility options | Qualifying education or equivalent experience, employment offer and current salary threshold |
| Self-employed visa | Freelancing or running a business in Spain | Viable business plan, funding, qualifications and necessary licences |
| Digital Nomad visa | Working remotely for an overseas employer or clients | Qualifying remote work, income, experience and Social Security or insurance arrangements |
For employees, the Digital Nomad route is for work for companies outside Spain. Self-employed applicants may undertake limited Spanish business within the route’s rules. It is different from the employee route for a Spanish job.
An intra-company transfer route may suit staff moving within an international business. See our dedicated Digital Nomad, highly qualified professional and self-employed guides for more detail.
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Corporate-Based Work Permits
Highly Qualified Professionals Residence Permit
The Highly Qualified Professionals work permit is for foreign nationals who are employed by a Spanish company who are highly qualified in their field or vocation. They must be paid at least €54,000 for managerial/directorial roles; €40,000 for academic and scientific roles; and €30,500 for roles at select SMEs for those aged under 30.
Eligibility for this visa includes meeting one or more of the following requirements:
- Educated to degree or postgraduate level
- Highly trained in a vocation or business school
- Three years or more experience in a relevant field.
EU Blue Card (Tarjeta Azul UE)
The EU Blue Card is similar to the Highly Qualified Residence permit, but with the additional benefits of mobility options within the EU. Applicants will require:
- Minimum 3 years of higher education
- Minimum 5 years experience in a relevant professional field
- Minimum 6 months of work contract or job offer in Spain.
Both visas are valid for up to three years and can be renewed. They also allow spouses and children to obtain dependent visas, with spouses gaining eligibility to work. You must have a salary paying at least €41,356.36, or €33,085.09 if in a shortage occupation role.
Intra-Corporate Transfer Visa (ICT)
The ICT visa allows employees who work for multinational corporations to work in Spain. It is split into two subcategories:
- EU ICT – for managers, specialists, or trainees transferring within the same company
- National ICT -where there is little presence of the company in Spain and the employee is contracted to a client or other relevant work for the company.
Applicants must have at least 3 months of employment history with the company. The visa is valid for up to 3 years and offers dependents work visa eligibility.
Seasonal Worker Visa
Seasonal Worker visas allow foreign nationals to work during peak seasons of an industry (usually tourism) and are valid for up to 9 months or the duration of the contract put forward by the employer
This visa must be applied for by the employer and is required to offer accommodation as part of the visa requirements.
Applicants will need to prove they can pay for their travel costs to and from Spain and that they intend to return home once their seasonal contract expires.
Research Residence Permit (Highly Qualified Professionals)
UK nationals and citizens of non-EU countries who work in research capacities are permitted to work in Spain through the Research Residence permit. It is a renewable visa and valid for one year or the total length of the contract, whichever is shorter. Ordinarily applicants must be paid at least €40,000 per year.
This permit applies to professionals working in a research capacity in industries such as:
- Science
- Technology
- Teaching and education
- Hosting agreements
- R&D.
Students and those undergoing a PhD should opt for a Student visa and are not required to apply for a research visa, even if the purpose of their trip is to conduct and develop research.
In tandem with private or public entities, permit holders are allowed to:
- Conduct and develop research
- Take training and attend courses
- Participate in innovation projects.
Digital Nomad Visa
With remote working becoming more commonplace, the Spanish government now offers a digital nomad visa to those who wish to spend time in Spain whilst working online for an overseas company, or for themselves.
To be eligible for this visa, you will need to demonstrate that you can fund your stay in Spain, usually by providing a payslip or employment contract with an overseas business. You must earn at least €34,188 a year, or €2,849 per month.
If you bring family members, you must provide a further €12,820 a year or €1,068 per month for your first dependant (partner or child). Further family members joining you will require another €4,273 per year or €356 per month.
Digital Nomad visas are usually valid for 1 year initially, and are renewable.
Individual-Based Work Permits
Entrepreneur Visa
The Entrepreneur visa allows UK citizens to reside in Spain for up to three years with the ability to renew for a further two years, with the intention of establishing an innovative business (usually within the technology solutions field) that is considered socially and economically beneficial to Spain.
A detailed business plan and ‘favourable report’ must be submitted as part of the application process, proving the viability of the business idea and its potential value to Spanish interests.
The favourable report is typically issued by the Economic and Commercial Office (ENISA), and assesses the business’:
- Job creation potential
- Potential contribution to socio-economic development
- Capacity to leverage advanced technology.
If you wish to start a more typical business venture in Spain, the Self-Employment visa is likely the better suited visa for you.
Internship Residence Authorisation
This work permit is a residence authorisation for non-EEA students to be allowed to work legally in Spain by undertaking an internship contract. This is often used by students who already live in Spain that wish to eventually transition across to a full residence permit.
To apply, you must:
- Be pursuing or have obtained a higher degree within 24 months of applying
- Undertake an internship aligned to your academic field of study.
The permit is usually given for up to 6 months with the option to renew once, or up to 2 years if you take on a trainee contract.
Au Pair Visa
The Spanish Au Pair Visa allows young adults between the ages of 18-30 to work as a live-in Au Pair with a Spanish family in Spain.
As a visa-free Schengen country, please note that citizens from the UK do not require a visa to au-pair in Spain if they are staying for less than 90 days.
To be eligible, the applicant must have:
- A valid au pair agreement prepared in writing from the host family
- Proof that they can be supported financially during their time in Spain
- Private medical insurance
- Be proficient speakers of English, French, German or Spanish.
Working Holiday Visa
The Spanish Working Holiday visa, also known as the Youth Mobility visa, is available to eligible citizens from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and South Korea, whose governments share youth mobility agreements with Spain. It is currently not available to Brits, but discussions are in place regarding a reciprocal scheme.
This non-renewable visa allows the holder to take on casual work whilst they travel in Spain for up to one year.
Applicants must:
- Be between 18-30 years old (up to 35 for Canadians)
- Obtain a work permit (NIE)
- Prove accommodation and a return ticket is arranged, or
- Prove the applicant has sufficient funds to support themselves.
Self-Employment Residence Permit
The Self-Employment Residence permit is a type of work visa that allows foreigners who work as freelancers to reside and start any type of business in Spain. It is a renewable visa and is valid for up to 1 year.
If you are a freelancer working for a Spanish company, you will be required to provide evidence of your contracts or commissions you have with clients or employer companies.
If you intend to start a business, you will be required to submit:
- A detailed business plan
- Proof of the skills, experience and qualifications related to your business plan
- Detail the registrations, permit or licence you may need in order to successfully conduct your business in Spain.
If you intend to start an innovative company that is yet to exist in the Spanish market, you will likely qualify instead for the Entrepreneur visa.
How To Apply For Work Permits in Spain
The employer and employee need to work collaboratively in order to obtain an employee work permit in Spain.
Steps for the Employer
The steps required by the employer are as follows:
- Provide a legitimate job offer to the prospective employee in writing, which will be used as evidence during the employee’s work permit application process
- Apply for a Work and Residence Authorisation – this step is essential unless the business or prospective employee has a valid exemption. The authorisation must be submitted to the Spanish authorities with plenty of time as processing times can take several weeks.
Steps for the Employee
Once the steps outlined above are completed by the employer and the work and residence authorisation has been approved and received, the prospective employee must take the following steps to apply for a work permit:
- Apply for a work visa – this will be part of a D-Visa application. This must be done at your nearest Spanish consulate. Please be aware that depending on your home country, this may require significant travel. The following documents will need to be submitted alongside your application, and the Spanish authorities may request further documents or evidence if necessary:
- A valid job offer from your employer based in Spain
- A valid and approved Work and Residence authorisation
- A valid, in-date passport
- A recent passport photograph
- Travel insurance
- Medical certificate
- Health insurance, or proof that your employer will cover this during your stay
- Proof of accommodation
- Clear criminal record
- Wait for your application to be approved. In general, this can take approximately 3 weeks, though it may take longer.
- Book and arrange your travel to Spain – once your work visa is approved, you can then plan your move and travel to Spain.
- Within one month of arriving in Spain, you must apply for and collect your Residence Card (TIE) at your local police station or Foreigner Nationals office. This will be considered your official proof of identification in Spain and must be carried on your person at all times.
Some application processes can be delayed due to complications on either the employer or employees side. If you are experiencing challenges with your work permit application, you can get in touch with our team at Total Law, who are experienced in supporting both prospective employees and the employers. You can get in touch with us online or call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
How Total Law Can Help
Navigating Spain’s work visa process from the UK can be challenging and a daunting experience. Sometimes your circumstances may fit multiple visa criteria, or it can be unclear whether you fit any of the criteria at all. Navigating Spanish work permit obligations as an employer can be equally complex, and you want to be sure that you work effectively to comply with the legal terms set out by the competent Spanish administration.
If you’re unsure which visa in Spain suits your needs, or are seeking professional advice on the hiring and application processes surrounding Spanish work permits and work visas, Total Law is here to assist. Our expert team of lawyers can guide you every step of the way.
For personalised advice and support, contact us today online or call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
FAQs
Yes. Since Brexit, UK citizens are required to obtain a working visa in order to earn income in Spain, excluding the Au Pair visa.
If you wish to travel to Spain for less than 90 days for tourism, business meetings, or other non-lucrative reasons, then as a UK national you will not require a visa.
Due to the sheer number of work visa options available, the visa fees you must pay to work in Spain vary greatly.
Depending on the set up between employer and employee, employers may offer to pay for the work visa for their employee.
Long-term work permits can cost between €90-€200 for a work permit to €418 for an EU Blue Card, depending on length of stay and the purpose of your visa.
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