Working visas for Spain

Entrepreneur Visa

Innovative entrepreneurial activity which is of special interest to the Spanish economy. A favourable report issued by the Directorate General for International Trade and Investments must be obtained first. The report must include the creation of jobs in Spain, applicants’ professional profile, professional training and experience, product or service offering, market analysis, financing, how this will add value to the Spanish economy, innovation and investment opportunities.

The visa can be applied for at the Spanish Consulate in the country of origin or legal residence or they can be presented online in Spain by an authorised representative. 

Highly Qualified Work Permit

To carry out a work activity as an employee in Spain as a highly qualified professional, member of senior management personnel meeting certain criteria set forth in prevailing legislation, or as a graduate or postgraduate of a prestigious university and/or business school. 

The company must apply for authorisation of the residence permit.

EU Blue Card

For highly skilled individuals with the right qualifications and experience to work in Spain. It’s valid for 12 months maximum or for the length of the employment contract. The minimum gross salary must be at least 1.5 times the average gross salary of the profession you will perform. 

Professions that require highly qualified individuals in Spain:

• Physician
• IT Coordinator
• Network administrator
• Computer network architect
• Digital marketing specialist
• Marketing coordinator
• Web marketing specialist
• Art director
• Graphic designer
• Financial advisor
• Account broker
• Investment advisor
• Hospital administrator
• Data analyst
• Data entry specialist
• Web analyst
• Chemist
• Mathematician
• IT
• Architect
• Engineer
• Technologist
• Biologist
• Intensive care nurse
• Midwife
• Professor
• Teacher (secondary, primary, special education)
• Archivist
• Manager
• Salesman
• Other

The employer must obtain approval of the application.

Digital Nomad Visa

To reside in Spain, working remotely for a Company or an employer (or self-employed) located outside of the Spanish national territory, and using exclusively computer telematics and telecommunication media and systems.

When the applicant is self-employed, he/she can also work for a company located in Spain, if the percentage of this work doesn't exceed 20% of the total amount of his/her professional activity.
The applicant must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a University, College or Business School of prestige, or have at least 3 years of work experience in his/her current field of activity.

It can be applied for at the Spanish Con Visa at the Spanish Consulate in the country of origin or legal residence or they can be presented online in Spain by an authorised representative. 

Seasonal Worker Visa

For a worker with temporary contracts in Spain, this type of visa can allow you to legally live and work in Spain for the duration of your seasonal contract. The employer must acquire a work authorisation visa on your behalf. Then you apply for the seasonal work visa at your local Spanish Consulate in your country of origin.

The company must apply for authorisation of the residence permit. 

Self-Employment Visas: Autonomos /Sole Trader

Approval of a viable business plan is required detailing work activity, expected profits, overheads, costs, how you will sustain the business financially, professional qualification to carry out the business activity including any hiring of equipment, registration requirements, business premises and any licences, your anticipated client target market and how you intend to market your business in Spain, salary costs etc.

Apply for approval of the business plan at the Spanish Consulate in the country of origin or legal residence.

Research Visa

Visa to engage in training, research, development and innovation activities at public or private entities in the following cases: 

• Research staff referred to in article 13 and additional provision one of Act 14/2011 of 1 June on Science, Technology and Innovation.
• Scientific and technical staff carrying out scientific research, development and technological innovation work at business entities or R&D&i centres established in Spain.
• Researchers hosted, in the framework of an agreement, by public or private research bodies.
• Teaching staff hired by universities, higher education and research bodies or centres, or business schools established in Spain.

Authorisation of the residency permit must be obtained by the public or private entity. 

• Work Permit in Spain
  To work as employees in Spain. The employer must acquire authorisation of the employment contract on your behalf from the Foreigners Office. Then you apply for the work visa at your local Spanish Consulate in your country of origin. 
   
• The Foreign National Identity Card
  The TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros) is applied at the National Police Station after receiving visa approval for more than six months.