Spain Work Visa Requirements
A work visa provides authorisation for an individual (foreign national) to legally partake in full time employment in a country where he/she may not necessarily have the right to work/reside in. A work visa or work permit is obtained from the relevant authority in the country he/she intends to work in (typically the Governmental immigration department or the Ministry of Labour and Social affairs). Generally a work visa will be in the form a standard document or a stamp in your passport and can be a lengthy procedure to endure prior to receiving the stamp. Some nationalities are not required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements do not stipulate that an individual must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Each jurisdiction has specific conditions which need to be satisfied in order to be approved a work visa.
Who Requires a Spain Work Permit?
If you are a citizen from an EU (EFTA, EEA) Member country then you are granted full authorization to both reside and take up employment in Spain without cause for a work permit. This is a result of Spain’s membership with the EU and Schengen countries. Work permits and residence visas are popular among foreign nationals as the holder of a Schengen visa entitles them to work and ravel freely form one Schengen country to the next.
Non EU nationals on the other hand are legally required to obtain a work permit to provide them with full authorization to live and work in Spain. The work permit required by a Non EU national is applied for by the sponsor (employer) on behalf of the employees.
It is important to acknowledge that approval of a work/residence permit is easier where you can demonstrate a link with Spain or Latin American Citizens. Furthermore, approval of a work permit is generally subject to the applicants level of work experience, the individual must be able to demonstrate relative experience for the position he/she intends to fill. The length of sufficient experience depends on the type of job the applicant is undertaking however 6-12 months is standard.
Exemptions of Spain Work Permits
If you are an individual intending to travel to spain for voluntary employment then you are not required to obtain a work visa. The voluntary sectors an applicant can work permit free under are;
- Immigration issues
- Environmental issues
- Women’s rights
- Poverty
Furthermore, depending on your nationality you may be eligible to reside in Spain for a maximum period of 3 consecutive months without the requirement of a residence visa.
Types of Spain Work Visas
Working Holiday Visa – As previously mentioned, all EU citizens are not required to have a work permit to work in Spain, however as a result of Spain’s working holiday agreement with Australia; Australian nationals are now eligible to take up employment in Spain visa free on a temporary basis.
Relevant Work Permit if you are an ‘Employee’
Type A Work Permit – required for seasonal work or temporary contract work
Type B Initial Work Permit – required where the applicant is to take up employment in a specific profession for a maximum period of 1 year
Type C Work Permit – required once the Type B permit expires and where the holder intends to carry on his activity throughout Spain
Relevant Work Permit if you are a ‘Self-Employed’ person
Type D Work Permit – required where the individual intends to undertake in self employment for a period no longer than one year
Type D renewed Permit – required once the initial type D permit has expired and gives the holder authorization to work for a further 2 years
Type E Work Permit – required on expiry of a Type D renewed permit and gives the holder entitlement to carry on working for a further 3 years.
Work Permits applicable for Employed and Self Employed Individuals
Type F Work Permit – necessary where the individual performs work related activities in Spain and then returns to his/her foreign border on a daily basis. This permit is valid for a period of 5 years and renewable on expiry
Permanent Work Permit
Extraordinary Work Permit – issued to Non-EU nationals who have assisted in the growth and development of Spanish Culture and economy. This permit is also valid for a period of up to 5 years and renewable on expiry.
Relevant Spain Residence Permit
There are two applicable residence permits which can be sought by potential foreign employees moving to Spain. The first is called a Temporary Residence Permit and is valid for a period of between 90 days to 5 years. The second is called a Permanent residency Permit, this permit is only applicable to individuals who have held the first permit for a minimum period of 5 years and is renewable on expiry.
Applying for a Spain Work Permit
If you are an EU national, the application procedure for working in Spain is as follows;
- You will enter Spain on an initial tourist visa
- On arrival you must register with the National Institute of Employment as a job seeker in Spain
- You then have to find employment within a period of 90 days
- On gaining employment you must register with the Departamento de Extranjeros at your nearest police station for a residence permit. You must provide them with your employment contract, valid passport, 4 x passport photos and your medical certificate.
- After approval of your application you will be given a unique Spanish Tax ID number and a residence permit
- On commencing employment your employer will then register you for Spanish Social Security.
If you are a Non-EU national you will require both a work permit and residence visa. Furthermore the work and residence permits must be obtained prior to entering Spain for employment. It is up to the Provincial Labour Offices to administer and approve an applicant work/residence permit.
Required documents for application of a Spain work permit
If you have an ‘employee’ status you will need;
- Copy of your passport
- 3 x recent passport photos
- Police report from your country of domicile stating you have no criminal convictions
- certified medical report stating your good health
- Employee Social Security number
- Employment contract
- Documentation detailed the activity of the sponsor company
- Proof of Sponsor Company’s solvency
If you have a ‘self-employed’ status you will need:
- Copy of your passport
- 3 x passport photos
- Police report from your country of domicile stating you have no criminal records
- Certified medical report stating your good health
- Proof of your professional qualifications and expertise
- Details of your business you intend to take up in Spain
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