Spain Work Visa from UK
Many Spanish companies are eager to hire UK and other non-European Union nationals to support their businesses. Due to Brexit, UK citizens are required to obtain a work permit in order to work in or move to Spain.
Total Law can support and guide you through the visa application process to work in Spain or hiring foreign nationals in Spain. Contact us today online or all us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
What is a Work Visa in Spain?
Work visas for Spain are visas offered to non-EU citizens (also called third-country nationals) who wish to earn a living or fulfil an employment contract in Spain. They allow foreign nationals to be employed by a Spanish authority, start or run a business in Spain, or work for an overseas company remotely online (digital nomad visa).
There are two key type of Spain work visas:
- Employment visa with a fixed-term contract
- Self-employment work visas.
Spain work visas act as a work permit, called ‘autorización de trabajo y residencia’ in Spanish.
Due to Brexit, UK citizens are now required to obtain a work permit in order to work in or move to Spain.
Spanish organisations must ensure that any employee they hire from a third country has applied for and been approved for a work permit before they can enter Spain for work purposes. In order for them to apply for a work permit, you will likely need to provide a legally binding job offer that they will then use as documented evidence for their work visa application.
Who Needs a Work Visa for Spain?
In general, citizens of most countries around the world will be required to apply for a visa in Spain.
People who are excluded from needing to submit a Spain work visa application in order to receive work and residence authorisation to enter Spain are citizens of countries that are included in the following list:
- European Union citizens
- Schengen zone citizens
- European Economic Area citizens
- Swiss citizens.
All non-EU citizens must therefore go through a visa application process to enter, travel through, or work in Spain and other Schengen countries.
Work permit exemptions may be offered to non-EU citizens who fall under the following professional categories, however they will likely still need to apply for a National Visa (‘type D long-term visa’):
- Members of the clergy
- Journalists
- Technicians
- Scientists
- University professors
- Performers and artists.
Types of Work Visa Permits for 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.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the different types of work permits available to citizens of the UK and other non-EU nations.
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.
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 country.
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.
Digital Nomad visas are usually valid for 1 year.
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.
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.
Corporate-Based Work Permits
Highly qualified 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. 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.
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
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.
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.
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 €80-€154.20 for a work permit to €418 for an EU Blue Card, depending on length of stay and the purpose of your visa.
