Work visas in Spain: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Spain? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of visa or permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Spain. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of Spanish work visas, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Spain?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Spain, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s visa and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Spain

Who needs a work visa in Spain?

Anyone who is not a Spanish citizen and wants to work in Spain generally needs a residence permit for employment, with the exceptions of:

• Citizens of European Union (EU) countries
• Citizens of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

Note that workers in these categories must obtain an EU Registration Certificate within three months of entering Spain.

For employers, it’s your responsibility to confirm that every foreign national you hire has the legal right to work. This usually means checking their residence permit card, passport, or other official travel documents before employment begins.

Note that Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Spain, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

Types of Spanish work visas

Spain offers multiple work permits, including:

Standard work visa

The standard work visa offers non‑EU/EEA/Swiss nationals a route to enter Spain legally for full‑time employment.

As the employer, you must first obtain a work authorization from the Provincial Aliens Affairs Office in Spain; this is required before your employee can apply for a visa. As part of this process, you will typically need to undergo a labor market test, where the Spanish authorities verify that no qualified EU/EEA candidates are available to fill the position. Note that, if the job is on the shortage occupations list, the test may be waived.

Once the work authorization is granted, your employee must apply for the actual work visa at the Spanish consulate or embassy in their home country. They must submit supporting documents such as a signed employment contract, a valid passport, medical certificates, a clean criminal record certificate, and proof of health insurance.

Upon arrival in Spain, they must then register with the Spanish Social Security system and apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) — the resident permit allowing them to legally live and work in Spain — within one month.

The visa is usually issued for one year, with the possibility of renewal if the employment continues and conditions remain met. It’s important to keep in mind that, during the first year, the permit is typically tied to the specific job and location, with any change in position, renewal, or extension requiring a fresh application.It’s also important to note that employers sponsoring this visa are responsible for ensuring compliance with Spanish labor and tax laws, including proper registration, payroll contributions, and timely renewals. Without the correct visa and residence permit, both you and your employee risk fines, legal issues, and work interruptions. If you don’t yet have a local entity in Spain, you can use an employer of record (EOR) like Remote, which acts as the official sponsor and handles compliance, making the process significantly smoother. What is an EOR and how does it work?

Intra-company transfer visa

The intra-company transfer visa (also known as the intra-corporate transfer visa) allows multinational businesses to move employees from one branch of their company abroad to a Spanish office. It’s typically used for managers, specialists, or trainees who need to work in Spain temporarily while remaining employed by the parent company.

To qualify, the employee must already have an existing employment relationship with your company, and the transfer must be for a specific role or training program. You must provide evidence of the corporate relationship between the entities, the employee’s qualifications, and the terms of the transfer.

Permits are generally issued for one to two years, depending on the assignment, and can be renewed if the transfer continues. This route is especially valuable for companies with operations in Spain who want to share expertise, develop staff, or manage projects across borders.

Spain offers a residence permit for Highly Qualified Professionals (HQPs), designed to make it easier for companies to attract and retain top international talent. This permit is part of Spain’s Entrepreneurs Law (Ley de Emprendedores) and provides a faster, more flexible alternative to the standard work visa.

Highly qualified work visa

The highly qualified professional (HQP) permit is aimed at skilled employees in managerial, technical, or highly specialized roles. To qualify, the applicant must have a concrete job offer from a Spanish company that demonstrates the role requires advanced expertise. As with the standard work visa, you must show that the position cannot be easily filled from within Spain or the EU.

One of the main advantages of the HQP visa is its streamlined process. Applications are handled by Spain’s Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos, UGE-CE), which typically delivers decisions within 20 working days. The initial permit is usually granted for up to three years (or the length of the work contract, if shorter), and can be renewed. Spouses and dependent family members can also apply for permits at the same time, making it a practical option for relocation.

For employers, the HQP scheme offers a reliable way to bring in international specialists without the delays of a traditional labor market test. It is particularly valuable for sectors like technology, engineering, finance, and R&D, where competition for talent is high.

EU Blue Card

The European Union Blue Card is a residence permit that enables highly skilled professionals from outside the EU to live and work in most of the 27 member states. 

The EU Blue Card is a valid Spanish work permit, and holders can live and work in Spain without requiring additional visas or permits.

However, the requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card are strict. Learn more about EU Blue Cards.

Other Spanish work visas

Spain also offers work permits and visas for other groups, including:

• Seasonal work visa. The seasonal work visa is for temporary roles, often in agriculture or tourism, where workers are needed for a fixed period.
• Self-employed visa (autónomo visa): The self-employment permit is for entrepreneurs or freelancers who want to set up their own business or provide services independently in Spain.

For some individuals in certain circumstances (or in certain countries), it may also be possible to obtain specialized Spanish work visas, such as a working holiday visa or an au pair visa. In some cases, indidivuals may be permitted work on student visas as well.

Does Spain offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Spain offers a digital nomad visa, officially called the Visa for International Telework, to attract remote professionals. This visa allows your employee to live in Spain while working remotely for your company (provided you do not have an entity or clients in Spain).

Spain’s digital nomad visa is issued for one year. To qualify, your employee must be earning monthly income that is at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage. 

One of the biggest advantages of this visa is its favorable tax regime. Holders may qualify for Spain’s “Beckham Law,” which allows them to pay a reduced flat income tax rate for up to five years, instead of the progressive rates applied to local residents.

See also: How do digital nomad visas work in Spain and the rest of Europe?

What about the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is simply a travel authorization for those who wish to stay in a member state of the Schengen Area (such as Spain) for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). It does not give holders legal permission to work in Spain.

What are the visa requirements in Spain?

For non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, the visa application process involves several steps, as follows:

1. Obtain work authorization

As the employer, you must first apply for work authorization (autorización de residencia y trabajo por cuenta ajena) with the Spanish immigration office (Oficina de Extranjeros).

The authorities will check whether the position can be filled by an EU/EEA candidate, although, as mentioned, this step may be waived if the role is on Spain’s shortage occupations list.

Once granted, the authorization is sent to the relevant Spanish consulate in the employee’s country of residence.

2. Apply for the visa

Next, your employee must submit a work visa application at their local Spanish consulate or embassy. To support their application, they will typically be required to produce the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Signed work contract (must be dated within three months of submission)
• Criminal record check certificate and/or police record
• Medical certificate confirming no serious illnesses
• Proof of health insurance
• Recent passport-style photographs
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of educational qualifications

The visa application must be submitted in person, and biometric photos and other data will be collected. Visa fees depend on the country in which your employee is applying.

3. Travel to Spain

Application processing times can vary, but it usually takes one to three months (depending on the consulate and the specifics of the case).

Once approved, your employee will receive the visa and can enter Spain to begin employment. Note that, within one month of arrival, your employee must:

• Register with Spanish Social Security (Direccion General de la Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social). This is usually arranged by you as the employer.
• Apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, or TIE) at the local police station or immigration office. This acts as both a residence card and as work authorization within Spain.
  
  

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Spain, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s EOR service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Spain on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local payroll tax, employment, and labor laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Spain, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.