Get the work permit in Spain

Let us guide you step by step throughout the legal process

Immigration Lawyers Spain » Work Permit in Spain

How to get a
work permit in Spain

There are three main ways:

ENTREPRENEUR VISA

If you are willing to set up your own company in Spain and your project is innovative and technological, this residence permit is for you.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKER VISA

This visa is for those non-EU citizens who have received a job offer as a manager or in another high-salary position in Spain.

REGULAR WORK PERMIT

For those who have found a regular job offer in Spain that considers the national situation of unemployment.

Do you want to live and work in Spain? Then you need to get your work visa. But you have different options in that sense. There are four different ways through which you can apply for the work permit in Spain.

First of all, the two visas that fall under the entrepreneur law (which you can apply to once inside Spain): the entrepreneur visa and the highly skilled visa.
The regular work permit, in the case in which you would like to start your own company (por cuenta propia) or to work for a company in Spain (por cuenta ajena). In both cases, you need to start the application procedure from your origin country.
You can also get your residence and work authorization being the family member of a European Union citizen.
You can change from looking for a job visa to work permit, this process is different.

Either you are a Non-EU citizen or an EU citizen, or you want to change from a non-working residency to a work permit, the different work permit requirements and the process to get the Spanish work permit will depend on the path you choose:

We will present all your documents online

Our team will take care of sending the application or renewal documents for your application completely online, so you can get the residency without having to leave your home.

Work permit

Highly qualified professional

Who is it for?

The highly qualified professional permit is designed for individuals with a highly skilled job offer in Spain, as well as graduates or postgraduates from universities and prestigious business schools.

We can assist with your employment contract and manage your monthly payroll obligations.

Main documents required

Employment contract
Detailed job description
Professional résumé
Valid passport

Business project

Entrepreneur visa

Who is it for?

This visa is intended for entrepreneurs who want to launch an innovative business project in Spain with particular economic interest for the country.

A specialised immigration lawyer can help you prepare and support the viability of your business plan.

Main documents required

Copy of the passport
Application form
Criminal record certificate
Business plan
Health insurance
Proof of sufficient funds

Starting point

General requirements for obtaining a work permit

These conditions generally apply before the specific requirements of each work permit route are assessed.

Not be a citizen of a European Union member state, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Have no criminal record during the previous five years.

Not be listed as inadmissible in the territory of countries with which Spain has signed an agreement to that effect.

Not be subject to a non-return commitment to Spain.

Not pose a threat to public order, security or public health.

Pay the applicable fee for processing the residence and work authorisation.

Route 01

Work permit as an employee

To work for a Spanish company, you must take the following specific conditions into account:

You cannot be in Spain when this procedure begins. The application must generally be initiated by the employer who intends to hire you.
The job offer must comply with the applicable legal requirements and, where necessary, respect Spain’s national employment situation.

The viability of the application will depend on the position, the employer and the circumstances of the proposed employment.

Route 02

Work permit as a self-employed person

To carry out your own professional or business activity in Spain, you must demonstrate that the project is viable and can operate effectively.

Prepare and submit a sufficiently detailed business plan to the competent authority.
Prove that you have the qualifications, professional experience or training required to perform the proposed activity.
Demonstrate that you have sufficient investment or financing to launch and maintain the project.

The authorities will assess the economic coherence of the project and its capacity to generate a genuine activity in Spain.

Not sure which work permit is right for you?

We assess your profile, job offer or business project and explain the most suitable route for working legally in Spain.

First step

Determine which type of permit you need

Before beginning the procedure, you must identify which authorisation best suits your professional situation. Further down the page, you can review the main types of work permits available in Spain.

Submission

Submit the application

From abroad

The employer or the worker must submit the initial application to the Spanish consulate in their country of residence. The consulate then forwards the documentation to the Immigration Office in Spain for processing.

From within Spain

The application is submitted directly to the Immigration Office in the province where the work will be performed.

Application file

Submit the documents and pay the fee

Provide all the documents required for the type of work permit you are applying for and pay the applicable administrative fee for the procedure.

Decision

Wait for the authorities’ decision

Months of legal processing time

The authorities have a legal deadline of three months to decide on your application.

Final step

Obtain the visa and TIE

Application filed from abroad

Upon receiving a favourable decision, the worker must enter Spain within three months and apply for the Foreigner’s Identity Card within 30 days of arrival.

Application filed from Spain

Once the authorisation has been granted, the foreign national must apply for the TIE at the appropriate immigration office or police station.

We guide you throughout the entire procedure

We assess your situation, prepare the documentation and monitor the application until your work permit is obtained.

What our clients say about us

    
 
 
        
   Dare IL 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I successfully applied for the Digital Nomad Visa using Balcells.

Mar Catalan and Ana Fraga Almoyna provided a very professional and friendly service with clear communication and support.

They also helped me obtain the TIE. Highly recommend.
  
 
       
   Polina Leman 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience with Balcells Group has been amazing. From guiding us through every step of the process of registering pareja de hecho to helping out with all the subsequent questions and visa extension, their team has been extremely helpful. A special thanks to Marina for her responsiveness, professionalism and kindness. I'd definitely work with them again.
  
 
       
   Zohaib Hassan 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing experience with them, Ińes did an amazing job for my Digital Nomad visa,

Even in busy schedules she responded every query very quickly and assisted me in every step.

Thank you so much team specially Ińes.
  
 
       
   Bouzid Maher 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’m really grateful to Ana Fraga for all her help throughout my immigration process. She was always very professional and responsive, but what I appreciated most was how reassuring she was whenever I was feeling worried or unsure about the process. She always took the time to explain things clearly and made me feel that I was in good hands.

A particularly stressful moment was when we had to submit a response, but Ana handled everything calmly and professionally, which gave me a lot of reassurance. Thankfully, we received a positive resolution and my residence permit was granted!

I’m very happy with the outcome and really thankful to Ana for her support and guidance throughout the process. I would definitely recommend her to anyone going through an immigration process in Spain. Thank you, Ana! 😊
  
 
       
   Rajan Jung Chettri KC 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend Balcells Group for immigration services in Spain. I applied for my immigration process through them, and I am very happy to say that my application has been successfully approved. 🎉
From the beginning, the team was professional, supportive, trustworthy, and very helpful. They guided me throughout the entire process, explained everything clearly, and were always there whenever I had questions.
A special and heartfelt thank you to my lawyer, Marina, for her never-ending support, dedication, patience, and guidance throughout my immigration process. Her professional assistance gave me great confidence and peace of mind.
In my experience, Balcells Group is one of the best and most trusted immigration law firms in Spain. I am genuinely impressed with their service and professionalism.
Thank you, Marina, and the entire Balcells Group team, for your excellent support. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me.
Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  
 
       
   Fawad Ahmed 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an excellent experience working with Balcells Group for a long time with my immigration needs in Barcelona. The entire team is highly professional, especially my lawyer Marta Casarramona. In the beginning, I faced some difficulties with my initial stay in Spain, but Marta stepped in and completely turned things around for me. She smoothly guided me through the entire social integration process a few years ago, helped me secure my residency and thoroughly took care of a long list of paperwork and contracts to ensure a perfect submission. Balcells Group makes a stressful process completely straightforward. I highly recommend them!
  
 
       
   Rafael Perez 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ana Fraga, Mar Catalan and Marta Valls did my nationality process. It was smooth and they were all always attentive to my questions. Thank you all.
  
 
       
   Hyuk Park 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very kind and good communication.
  
 
       
   Faty T 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a very positive experience with Balcells group. I worked with Camila, she was very professional, advised me on what TIE option is best in my situation, and answered all my questions as quickly as possible. I highly recommend Balcells group and Camila.
  
 
       
   Àlex Verdugo Compés 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Balcells Group helped us obtain a Spanish resident regrouping permit. The experience was outstanding ; from the very beginning, they had everything clear, organized, and full of experience. At every step, they helped us and communicated incredibly well about all of our questions. We received the permit quickly and without incidents.

Do you want to get your work visa in Spain now? Then stop waiting.

Let us manage the whole process for you, and we will save you time and money!

Frequently asked questions about the Spanish work visa

Who needs a work permit in Spain?

Residence and work permits in Spain, regardless of type, are intended for foreign nationals who are not citizens of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland, and who intend to live and work in Spain.

Citizens of the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland enjoy freedom of movement and the privileges of the Schengen Area; therefore, they do not require these permits.

What types of work permits are there?

Spanish immigration regulations provide for four different types of work permits, as we’ve seen above.

These four work permits are governed by two different regulations or systems:

The general system, which includes the work permit for self-employment and the work permit for employment by another entity
The Entrepreneurs Law, which covers the entrepreneur visa and the work permit for highly qualified workers

So, as you can see, there are two categories of work permits: one allows you to work for a company, and the other allows you to work on your own as a freelancer or self-employed individual.

And each of these categories is authorised under both the general immigration regime and the Entrepreneurs Law.

Are there other ways to work legally in Spain?

Yes, there are. If you are not eligible to apply for any of the work permits we’ve discussed above, you still have options for working legally in the country.

The following residence permits include an implicit work authorisation:

Student visa
Residence permits granted due to exceptional circumstances (sarraigo sociolaboral, among other ties)
Residence card as a family member of an EU citizen

How long does it take to obtain a work permit?

Following on from the previous section, the answer depends on the specific regulations governing the work permit in question, as the agency responsible for processing each application varies.

The process can take between 3 and 6 months if you apply for a work permit as an employee or self-employed individual (i.e., a work permit under the general system)
In contrast, the process takes only 20 business days if you apply for the permit as a highly qualified worker

How to renew your work permit?

To renew any type of work permit in Spain, the application must be submitted online (via the Mercurio platform) or in person at the Immigration Offices or official registries, within two months before the permit’s expiration or, in exceptional cases, within the three months following its expiration.

If you need specific information on how to renew each type of work permit, check our website or contact our professionals, and they will assist you with whatever you need.

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Get the work permit in Spain

How to get a
work permit in Spain

ENTREPRENEUR VISA

HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKER VISA

REGULAR WORK PERMIT

We will present all your documents online

Main requirements for obtaining a work permit in Spain

Step-by-step application process

Do you want to get your work visa in Spain now? Then stop waiting.

Frequently asked questions about the Spanish work visa

Who needs a work permit in Spain?

What types of work permits are there?

Are there other ways to work legally in Spain?

How long does it take to obtain a work permit?

How to renew your work permit?

Get the work permit in Spain

How to get a work permit in Spain

ENTREPRENEUR VISA

HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKER VISA

REGULAR WORK PERMIT

We will present all your documents online

Main requirements for obtaining a work permit in Spain

Step-by-step application process

Do you want to get your work visa in Spain now? Then stop waiting.

Frequently asked questions about the Spanish work visa

Who needs a work permit in Spain?

What types of work permits are there?

Are there other ways to work legally in Spain?

How long does it take to obtain a work permit?

How to renew your work permit?

How to get a
work permit in Spain