Employee Work Visa
Spain
Last updated: December 23, 2025
1 year (renewable)
€80
2-5 months
High
About this Visa
This is a work visa for people from non-European countries who have a job offer from a Spanish company. You can legally live and work in Spain as a salaried employee. It's a stepping stone to permanent residency—after 5 years, you can stay in Spain forever. The visa lets you work for one employer in your first year. After that, you can work for any employer. You can bring your spouse and children with you. This is NOT an easy visa to get. Your employer must prove that no Spanish or European worker can do your job. If your job is on Spain's shortage list (like software developer or nurse), it's easier.
Key Benefits
- Work legally without restrictions for your employer
- Bring spouse and children under 26 with you
- Free healthcare through Spain's public system once registered
- Travel freely to any country in the Schengen zone (26 European countries)
- Unemployment benefits, maternity/paternity leave, and pension contributions
- After first renewal: work for any employer in Spain anywhere
- Path to permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be from a non-European country (not EU/EEA/Switzerland)
- Must be 18 or older
- Must have a confirmed job contract from a Spanish company
- Job must pay at least €1,184 per month ($1,393)
- Cannot have criminal convictions
- Not subject to Spain's immigration ban
- No fraud, violence, or immigration violations in background
- No serious contagious diseases
- Must apply from outside Spain (not while in Spain)
Financial Requirement
You must make at least €1,184 per month ($1,393). Your employer pays your salary, so this is automatically covered by your job contract. No additional savings required.
Documents
- Valid passportMust be valid for 4+ months with 2 blank pages
- Employment contractMust be stamped by Spanish labor office; minimum 1 year
- Job authorization letterFrom Spanish labor ministry (your employer gets this first)
- Criminal record certificateFrom your home country; must be less than 3 months old
- Health certificateFrom a doctor; must be less than 3 months old
- Health insurance proofPrivate or employer coverage for Spain
- Address proofRental agreement, lease, or property deed in Spain
- TranslationsAll foreign documents must be officially translated to Spanish
- Official stampsForeign documents need apostille/legalization stamps
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.