Working Visa for Spain: Complete Guide to Requirements and Application

Spain’s thriving economy and enviable lifestyle make it a top destination for professionals and digital nomads worldwide. Unfortunately, if you’re from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you’ll need a working visa for Spain before you can legally start your job or work remotely from Spain.

While you can apply on your own, Spain’s immigration process can be complex. Working with a trusted immigration lawyer can help you avoid delays, meet all requirements, and secure your visa with confidence.

In this blog, we’ll break down the most popular visas that allow you to work in Spain, key Spain work visa requirements, application steps, and minimum salary rules. In the end, you will know exactly what to expect when applying in 2025. 

Overview of Spanish Work Visas and Permits

In Spain, a work visa is your legal permission to enter the country for employment purposes. On the other hand, a work permit authorizes you to carry out specific professional activities once you arrive. Most non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens will need both a visa issued by the Spanish consulate in their home country and a work authorization granted by Spanish immigration authorities.

Spain offers several categories of Spanish work permits to suit different professional situations:

• Employed Work Visa for those with a confirmed job offer from a Spanish employer.
• Self-Employed Work Visa for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or business owners starting their own venture in Spain.
• Highly Qualified Professional Visa for executives, specialists, and researchers working in strategic sectors.
• Digital Nomad Visa for digital nomads and remote employees working for non-Spanish companies while living in Spain.

Each category has its own work visa requirements, processing times, and application steps.

Types of Working Visas for Spain and Their Requirements

Self-Employed Work Visa (Visado de Trabajo por Cuenta Propia)

Designed for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners, this visa allows you to work for yourself in Spain. Applicants must demonstrate that their professional activity will generate income and contribute to the Spanish economy.

Key requirements include:

• A viable business plan approved by the relevant Spanish authorities.
• Proof of financial resources to support yourself during the initial period.
• Qualifications or experience relevant to your business activity.

Necessary permits or licenses, depending on your sector (e.g., hospitality, construction).

Highly Qualified Professional Visa (EU Blue Card / Highly Skilled Worker Visa)

This visa is aimed at executives, managers, researchers, and professionals with specialized expertise.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Higher education degree or equivalent professional experience.
• A job offer in a strategic sector meeting the required salary threshold.
• In some cases, a streamlined application under Spain’s Entrepreneurs Law.

Benefits of this visa include faster processing, simplified renewals, and family reunification rights, which allow spouses and children to join you in Spain from day one.

Digital Nomad Visa

This visa was created for remote workers and freelancers employed by non-Spanish companies, allowing you to live in Spain while working online.

Requirements include:

• Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
• Work for non-Spanish companies or have a limited percentage of Spanish clients, with a maximum of 20% od the time/income.
• Meet the minimum income requirement.

Employed Work Visa (Visado de Trabajo por Cuenta Ajena)

A less common route for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals moving to Spain for a salaried job. It is employer-sponsored, meaning your prospective Spanish employer must first obtain authorization from the immigration office before you can apply for your visa.

Key requirements include:

• A valid job offer from a Spanish company.
• Employer authorization confirming the role could not be filled by a local candidate.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of residence.
• Medical certificate confirming you are free of communicable diseases.

Your employer plays a central role by submitting the initial application in Spain, while you complete the visa process through the Spanish consulate in your home country. 

A challenge with this visa is the “Situación Nacional de Empleo”. This rule requires the employer to publicly post the job and prove that no qualified Spanish or EU candidate is available. Because Spain has a high unemployment rate in many fields, applications can be rejected when a local candidate is considered qualified or even overqualified. As a result, approval rates for this type of work permit tend to be low.

Other Specific Work Visas and Permits

Spain also offers work authorizations for niche categories such as:

• Researchers and academics conducting projects at Spanish institutions.
• Artists and cultural professionals participating in events or performances.
• Intra-company transfers for employees moving within multinational companies.

Each has its own eligibility rules, documentation, and processing pathway. This is why we always recommend working with an experienced immigration lawyer.

At Lexidy, we can help you determine which path is the best for your unique circumstances. Fill out the form below to book a free consultation with one of our lawyers!

General Spain Work Visa Requirements

While each Spanish work visa type has its own specific criteria, most applications share a core set of requirements. Understanding these in advance can help you avoid delays.

1. Common Documentation

Applicants generally need to submit:

• A valid passport with at least 6–12 months’ validity remaining.
• Recent passport-size photographs.
• A completed national visa application form.
• Criminal record certificate from countries of residence in the past five years, but the records should cover your entire life.
• Medical certificates.
• An address in Spain.
• Proof of financial means to support yourself (bank statements, employment contract, or sponsorship documents).

2. Language Requirements

In most cases, there is no formal Spanish language test for work visa applications. However, for certain regulated professions or self-employed activities, demonstrating Spanish language proficiency may be necessary to obtain professional licenses or register with industry bodies.

3. Application Fees

Visa application fees vary depending on the type of work visa and your nationality. For most non-EU applicants, fees range from €60–€80. Highly qualified visas and other special categories may cost more. Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Spain

The process for obtaining a work visa in Spain varies depending on the visa type, but most applicants follow a similar sequence of steps.

1. Secure Your Basis for Application

• Employed Work Visa: Obtain a formal job offer from a Spanish employer. The employer must apply for your work authorization in Spain before you submit your visa application.
• Self-Employed Work Visa: Prepare a viable business plan and gather proof of sufficient financial means to support your activity.
• Special Categories (e.g., Highly Qualified, Digital Nomad): Ensure you meet the specific education, income, or professional criteria.

2. Prepare the Required Documentation

Collect the standard documents (passport, application form, criminal record certificate, medical certificate…) along with visa-specific requirements such as employment contracts, business plans, or academic qualifications.

3. Submit Your Application

Work visa applications are usually submitted in your country of origin or legal residence at the nearest Spanish Consulate or Embassy. Most applicants cannot start the process from within Spain if they are on a tourist visa.

An exception applies to Highly Qualified Professional permits, which can be submitted from within Spain. Applications can also be filed locally if the person already holds a valid Spanish residence permit, such as a Digital Nomad Visa.

4. Wait for Processing

 Processing times vary:

• Employed & Self-Employed Work Visas: Around 3–6 months, depending on the consulate’s workload.
• Highly Qualified Professional & Digital Nomad Visas: Often 20–45 days due to streamlined procedures.
  Your application may take longer if additional documents are requested.

5. Collect Your Visa and Travel to Spain

Once approved, you will collect your visa from the consulate and must enter Spain within the validity period stated on the visa. After arrival, you will apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within 30 days.

Spain Work Visa Minimum Salary and Financial Considerations

When applying for a work visa in Spain, salary and financial requirements play an important role. The exact amount you must earn depends on the type of visa.

General Employed Work Visa

• Your salary must meet or exceed Spain’s minimum wage.
• 2025 Minimum Wage:
  • €1,184/month (if paid in 14 installments per year)
  • €1,381/month (if paid in 12 installments per year)

Some regions and industries may require higher pay due to collective agreements.

Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) Visa

For this category, Spain sets fixed salary thresholds rather than percentages of the average wage:

• Directors & Managers: Minimum €54,142 gross/year
• Scientific/Intellectual roles: Minimum €40,077 gross/year
• Reductions: Possible (around €30,500/year) for applicants under 30 or employees of strategic small/medium enterprises.

Digital Nomad Visa

To qualify for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must show proof of stable income. Instead of a fixed salary, the requirement is tied to minimum financial thresholds that reflect Spain’s cost of living.

• Income Thresholds
  • Individual applicant: €2,760–€2,763 per month
  • Couple (applicant + spouse/partner): ~€3,797 per month
  • Additional adult dependent: ~€1,035 per month
  • Child dependent: ~€346 per month

Applicants can demonstrate financial stability through employment contracts, regular freelance contracts, or proof of consistent income from remote work.

Seasonal Work Visas

Salaries are determined by collective agreements specific to the sector and region. Applicants should expect earnings in line with industry standards.

Post Approval: Next Steps and Obligations

Once you arrive in Spain with your work visa, there are several important administrative steps to complete to ensure you are fully compliant with Spanish law:

• Register at the Local Town Hall (Empadronamiento): Within your first few weeks, you must register your address at the local ayuntamiento. This official registration is required for many other processes, such as healthcare enrollment and schooling for children.
• Obtain the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE): Apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero within 30 days of arrival at the local immigration office or police station. The TIE contains your NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) and is your main proof of legal residence.
• Social Security Registration: If you are employed, your employer will usually handle your social security registration. Self-employed workers (autónomos) must register themselves. Social security contributions give you access to Spain’s public healthcare system and other benefits.
• Tax Obligations: After becoming a resident, you are subject to Spanish tax rules. This includes filing annual income tax returns and, in some cases, declaring foreign assets under the Modelo 720 form.

Completing these steps promptly ensures you maintain your legal status and access all the benefits of living and working in Spain.

Challenges and Common Pitfalls

Applying for a Spanish work visa can come with difficulties that may delay or jeopardize approval. Some of the most common challenges include:

• Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation: Missing paperwork, inconsistent information, or failing to meet specific document requirements (such as recent bank statements or updated contracts) can lead to immediate rejection.
• Choosing the Wrong Visa Type: Spain offers different categories of work visas and permits. Applying under the wrong category (for example, self-employed instead of highly qualified professional) can waste time and result in denial.
• Delays in Processing: Even with a complete application, work visas often take weeks or months to process. Seasonal backlogs at consulates or local immigration offices can extend waiting times significantly.
• Changes in Regulations: Spanish immigration laws and visa requirements are constantly being modified and updated. Applicants relying on outdated information may unknowingly submit non-compliant applications.
• Importance of Legal Translation and Apostille: Many documents, such as diplomas, birth certificates, or police records, must be officially translated into Spanish (traducción jurada) and legalized with an apostille before submission.
• Poor Preparation for Language or Integration Requirements: Some visa categories, particularly long-term permits, may require proof of integration or Spanish language skills.

Careful preparation and professional legal guidance can help applicants avoid these pitfalls and ensure a smoother application process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Working Visas for Spain

Can I bring my family with a Spanish work visa?

Yes. Your ability to bring family members depends on the type of residence permit you hold.

• Highly Qualified Professional permits (HQP) and Digital Nomad Visas (DNV) allow you to include your spouse and dependent children from the start, or at any point during the validity of your permit.
• Standard employee work permits also allow you to add your family members from the beginning.
• Self-employed permits (Business Activity / Autónomo) do not allow family reunification during the first year. You must wait until your first renewal before your spouse or dependents can apply.

This means most workers can bring their family immediately, while self-employed applicants must wait until they renew their permit.

How long does a Spanish work visa last?

Most initial work visas are valid for one year, and are renewable as long as the employment or self-employment situation continues.

Can I change my work visa type in Spain?

In some cases, yes. For example, you may transition from a student visa to a work visa, or from employed to self-employed, but the process requires approval from Spanish immigration authorities.

Is it possible to extend a Spanish work visa?

Yes. Work visas can usually be extended in one- or two-year increments, provided you still meet the requirements.

Do I need a job offer before applying for a work visa?

For most work visas, yes, a valid job contract from a Spanish employer is required. Exceptions exist for self-employed or digital nomads, where the job must have started at least 3 months prior to application.

What is the difference between a work visa and a work permit?

The work visa is the entry authorization issued by a Spanish consulate abroad. The work permit (residence authorization) allows you to legally work and reside in Spain once you arrive.

How Lexidy Can Help Streamline Your Spanish Work Visa Application

At Lexidy, we simplify the entire visa application process and provide end-to-end guidance so you can focus on your career move or business plans in Spain.

Here’s how we help:

• Eligibility Assessment: Our legal team evaluates your background, profession, and goals to determine the most suitable visa category, whether it’s a standard employment visa, self-employment permit, or Spain remote work visa.
• Clear Guidance on Spain Work Visa Requirements: We provide tailored advice on Spanish work permits, helping you understand income thresholds, contract requirements, and other key conditions before you apply.
• Document Preparation and Translation: We ensure that every required document is correctly prepared, translated, and legalized (with apostille if necessary), avoiding one of the most common reasons for application delays or rejections.
• Liaising with Authorities: Our lawyers communicate directly with Spanish immigration offices and consulates, streamlining the process and resolving issues that might otherwise slow down your application.
• Specialized Remote Work Visa Advice: For digital nomads and remote professionals, we offer specialized legal support to meet Spain’s new remote work visa requirements, including income verification and tax compliance.
• Trusted Legal Partner: With years of experience guiding expats, entrepreneurs, and professionals through Spanish immigration, Lexidy is a trusted partner committed to making your relocation smooth and legally secure.

By working with Lexidy, you gain more than just legal advice; you gain peace of mind knowing your application is managed by experts who understand the intricacies of Spanish immigration law.

Need Support With Your Working Visa For Spain?

Securing a working visa for Spain is an exciting opportunity to build your career in one of Europe’s most dynamic countries. The process involves choosing the right visa type, preparing and legalizing documentation, meeting work visa requirements in Spain, and navigating interactions with Spanish authorities. While it can feel overwhelming, with the right preparation and expert support, success is entirely achievable.

At Lexidy, we specialize in guiding professionals, remote workers, and entrepreneurs through every stage of the application process. From assessing eligibility to handling documentation and liaising with authorities, our expert legal team ensures that your move to Spain is smooth, compliant, and stress-free.

Ready to start your journey? Fill out the form below, and one of Lexidy’s Spanish immigration experts will help you secure your Spanish work visa with confidence.