Spain Work Visa from USA

US citizens wanting to relocate to Spain for employment reasons will need to apply for the appropriate available work authorization. It depends on the type of work you are doing and your personal circumstances, but Spain offers a variety of visas to cater to many viable employment options.

You should note that you may not need a visa to work in Spain if you are a US resident but hold EU or EEA nationality.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Depending on the circumstances of your work, you may be exempt from a traditional work visa but you will usually still need to apply for another type of permission. Short trips for business or training purposes may be eligible for a short-stay Schengen visa instead.

Some professions that may be exempt include:

• Journalists
• Scientists
• University Professors or Lecturers affiliated with other cultural or educational institutions
• Technicians
• Members of the Clergy
• Artists (if the reason for travel is tied to specific performances)

Page Contents

• Do US Citizens Require a Work Visa in Spain?
• Types of Work Visas in Spain
• EU Blue Card in Spain
• Employment Visa
• Highly Qualified Work Visa
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Self-Employed Visa
• Entrepreneur Visa
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Au Pair Visa
• Spain Work Visa Requirements
• How to Apply for Spain Work Visa?
• Required Documents for Spain Work Visa
• After You Arrive in Spain
• Spain Work Visa Cost
• How Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa for Spain?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

When coming to work in Spain you will need to understand the different categories of work that may apply for a visa and how your circumstances relate to that.

Usually, you will either need an existing employment contract or an invitation letter with a valid job opportunity, but you may also qualify if you can show alternative plans such as a viable independent work routine or plans for a new business.

Work visas differentiate between employee-based pathways, where you are usually a fixed employee with a work contract from one company, or individual-based pathways where you work for yourself or in a remote arrangement for one or multiple clients.

The EU Blue Card (also called Tarjeta Azul UE) is another option for highly qualified workers who need a visa in Spain. A main benefit of the EU Blue Card is that it offers greater long-term mobility within other EU countries.

You must have a qualifying employment opportunity that is set to last at least six months. Additionally, you will need to show that you have a higher education qualification that took at least three years in a relevant field. If you are applying on the merit of experience, you will be asked to submit evidence that you possess at least five years of relevant experience.

Once you have been granted your EU Blue Card, it will be valid for three years and may be renewable if you continue to meet the requirements.

You may also apply to bring family members on a dependent visa, allowing them to work.

If you are an employee with a work opportunity in Spain, you may need to apply for one of the employment-based work visas.

To be accepted, you must usually show a legally binding job offer or transfer opportunity and prove that you hold the appropriate qualifications to carry out the work you are hired to do. Keep in mind that some of these visas may require your employee to apply for you.

Employers may apply for a highly qualified work visa for a prospective employee if they meet certain qualification requirements. Depending on the profession, graduate or postgraduate degrees that are related to the field of work you are hiring for are usually required.

Alternatively, workers may also be eligible if they have at least three years of experience in a related field of work. Vocational training certificates or business school qualifications may also be accepted.

When hiring seasonal workers to carry out work in Spain on a temporary contract, employers will need to file for a Seasonal Worker visa.

You will need to show that you are providing adequate accommodation for your workers for the entirety of their stay and that their travel expenses are covered either by you or the workers themselves.

Workers on a seasonal contract may only be hired for a maximum of nine months and the visa will be issued for the same duration as their work contract. You must make sure that your workers know that they are required to leave after this period.

If you are not a hired employee with a fixed contract, you may instead apply for an ‘individual-based’ work permission in Spain. If you are self-employed, you will need to show your business plan or other evidence that your work provides a viable baseline for you.

You may need to show the type of work you are doing, any commissions or contracts, and that you are qualified to do it. You will also need to prove that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and provide for your work expenses, where necessary.

You must be sure to obtain all relevant licenses or permits that may be required for your particular line of work.

The self employed visa is usually issued for one year but may be renewed if you still meet the requirements.

To qualify for an Entrepreneur visa, you will need to show that you have a viable and innovative new business idea that will benefit the Spanish economy. You must also show that you have the skills to undertake such a project and that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself and investing in this business.

In general, it will be required of you to present your business plans which must show evidence that your idea has been thought through and that there is a real opportunity for success. You must obtain a favorable report from the ENISA which is the General Directorate for International Trade and Investments, or equivalent.

General criteria that may be considered are whether your business will create jobs and boost the local economy and whether it will make for a good investment opportunity. You should also show that your business is operating in line with modern technology where relevant.

This visa permission will usually be issued for three years, but you will usually be able to renew it for another two years, which can take you to the minimum requirement for applying for a permanent residence permit.

The Digital Nomad visa is another option for individual-based work permissions. Unlike other visas, this one aims to support workers who wish to live in Spain while their work location remains elsewhere.

You may qualify if you have a job that allows for a remote working arrangement, as long as you can show that you are in fact seriously employed or have a sustained business relationship with your clients. In general, your employer has to have operated seriously for at least one year. If you work for several clients instead, you must show that you have had a commercial relationship for at least three months at the point of your application.

You will need to show that you meet the minimum income requirements for this permission which usually amounts to at least €25,920 per year or €2,160 monthly. Do note that these numbers may vary, especially if you are also applying to bring your family as dependents.

Additionally, you must show that you have reliable accommodation and appropriate private health insurance coverage.

While there is no dedicated Au Pair visa in Spain at the moment, you may be covered by a different visa category instead. Usually, this will be a Student visa which should allow you entry as part of your Au Pair program but may require you to enroll in some education course such as language lessons.

To qualify, you will need to be between 18 and 30 years of age and show the Au Pair Program you are affiliated with, as well as your travel and living arrangements. This should include the dates you wish to come to Spain for, details of your host family, what type of work you will be doing, and how much allowance you will receive.

You will need to show evidence that you have the means to support yourself while you are Staying in Spain and will need private medical insurance. Language requirements will also be present for this pathway. You must either speak Spanish, English, French, or German.

Note that Au Pairs may only stay in Spain for up to one year.

If you are unsure which visa applies to you or want to know more about the requirements, we can help you understand everything you need to know. You can call Total Law today at +1 844 290 6312 and one of our immigration lawyers will be happy to help you.

Qualifying employment opportunities will usually need to meet a minimum threshold when it comes to the annual salary offered to you. While this may vary depending on the type of visa and opportunity, the general average in Spain is set at €28,800 per year.

Additionally, your job offer may be subject to passing a Labour Market Test, meaning that your employment is not deemed to have taken away the reasonable opportunity of a local worker. This will be your employer’s responsibility, but it is important to check this has been complied with as it will affect the visa decision.

When applying, you will be asked to show that your acceptance will not go against public interest. As such, you must provide a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate showing that you do not have a significant health condition that may negatively impact Spain’s healthcare system and population.

When you have decided which work visa is right for you. It may be that the visa you need requires your employer to apply for you, in which case you should make sure to provide all the documents they may need.

If you are applying for a visa that isn’t handled by your employer, you will need to make an appointment with your local Spanish embassy, Spanish consulate, or visa application center. Work visas with a more than three-month validity generally require you to apply in person.

You will need to gather your documents and fill out the appropriate visa application form before taking them to your visa interview. You will need to give your biometric details and pay your visa application fees.

The documents needed for work visas can vary greatly across visa and employment types but the overall goal is to prove your eligibility and that you have a viable job offer or business plan. Be prepared to submit the following:

• Your signed visa application form
• Your valid passport (Must be in date for at least another 6 months from the time you plan to travel)
• A photo that meets visa standards
• Your letter of invitation from your employer, job offer, or other business plans
• Details of your health insurance policy
• Your criminal record certificate
• Proof of financial means
• Details of your qualifications
• Any other documents that may support your application

When you arrive in Spain, you will need to make sure that you have all the relevant permissions to start working, a visa may not be all you need. Be sure to apply for an official work permit as this may be required.

Additionally, you will be expected to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (also called TIE for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) if you are staying in Spain for more than half a year. You must do so within one month of your arrival.

The cost of your Spanish work visa may vary depending on the type of visa, employment, or your wider circumstances. On average, you should expect to pay around €123 to €238 depending on the visa you need.

It is important that you apply with plenty of time before you need your visa. Visa appointments can have a long wait time and even though Spanish work visas can be processed in 15 days on average, delays are always possible.