Spain: Visa options and requirements

Spain offers a variety of visa options for those planning to work, study, or reunite with family once they are already residing in the country. Navigating the different visa options for Spain can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the requirements and processes. This guide provides a quick explanation of the different types of visas available, along with their main requirements.

Work Visas

With a Spanish Work Contract

If a non-EEA national has a job offer in Spain, they can apply for a work permit. There are three options available:

- Permit for Highly Qualified Professionals: This permit is for positions requiring high qualifications with a salary above €40,000 per year. There are reductions for workers under 30 years old.
- Residence Permit for “Cuenta Ajena”: This permit can be obtained after one year of residence in Spain. Nationals of Chile or Peru can apply for this work permit from their country of origin. For other nationalities, applying from the country of origin is only possible if the job position is on a shortage list, making it a more complex option.
- EU Blue Card: To qualify for an EU Blue Card the applicant needs either a higher professional qualification, typically a three-year bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from a recognized institution, or at least five years of relevant professional experience. This permit allows free movement across EU member states (after a certain period) without extra procedures, unlike other visas. It also permits immediate family members, like spouses and children, to live in the EU for the same duration as the main applicant.

The maximum duration for any of these permits is three years.

Employment contract in the country of origin

1) The company has an entity in Spain - Intra-Company Transfer

A company or group with establishments in both Spain and a non-EU country can request a residence visa for intra-company transfer for foreign professionals over 18 years old, who are not EU or Schengen state nationals. This applies within the context of employment, professional relationships, or previous professional training.

There are two types of intra-company transfer residence authorizations:

a) National Residence Authorization: For foreigners transferring exclusively to a company within Spanish territory.

b) ICT-EU residence authorization: for foreigners who are going to be subject to an intra-company transfer that implies mobility within the European Union. This type of authorization will only applies to temporary relocations for roles as a manager, specialist, or trainee.

2) The company has no entity in Spain - Digital Nomads (Teletrabajadores de carácter internacional)

Non-EU nationals may apply for a residence permit for international teleworking, allowing them to work remotely for companies outside Spain using exclusively digital means.

In the case of exercise of a labor activity, the permit holder can only work for companies located outside Spain.

In the case of exercise of a professional activity, the permit holder can work for a company in Spain, provided this does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.‍

Internships (Permiso de residencia para Prácticas Profesionales)

Applicants who have obtained a higher education diploma within the last two years can apply for this type of permit, which is valid for up to one year and is non-renewable. The key requirement for this permit is a higher education diploma related to the internship position at the host company.

Applications can be made either from within Spain if the applicant holds a stay permit or from their home country. 

There are two ways to apply:

- University Agreement (Convenio Universitario): This option allows for a maximum duration of six months, with the possibility of extending for an additional six months.
- Internship Contract: This option permits a direct one-year internship contract.‍

Student Visa (Estancia por Estudios)

The Student Stay is intended for those who want to study or conduct research in Spain. It applies to university degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and other regulated and permitted short-term courses. With this permit, it’s possible to enroll in studies at accredited institutions, participate in research or training programs, join student exchange programs, perform non-work placements, and engage in volunteer services as a student.

Requirements:

1. Admission to an accredited educational institution or recognized research/training center.
2. Signed agreement with a relevant organization if volunteering.

The duration of the permit matches the length of the studies, ranging from 3 to 9 months or even 2 to 4 years.

In most cases, depending on the type of studies, the permit allows the holder to work in Spain for up to 30 hours per week without needing additional work authorization. After completing their studies, students can convert this permit into a work permit directly.

Job Search Visa (Búsqueda de Empleo)

The Job Search Visa, also known as the Employment Seeking Residence Permit, allows non-EU students to stay in Spain for a maximum period of 2 years after completing their studies to look for a job or start a business project. It can be requested by foreigners who have previously held a stay permit for studies and have completed their studies at an accredited higher education institution in Spain, achieving at least Level 6 according to the European Qualifications Framework, equivalent to a university degree.

If family members have accompanied the student during their studies, they are also covered by this permit while the student searches for work.

Working Holiday Visa

This visa allows young people from selected countries to live and work in Spain for a limited period. Spain currently has Working Holiday Visa agreements with five countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, and Japan.

The visa typically allows for a one-year stay, but some agreements provide the possibility of extending the stay from 3 months up to 24 months, provided certain requirements are met during the stay.

Visa holders are allowed to work during their stay. If they wish to extend their stay, Jobbatical recommends the employer use this period to formally apply for a residence and work permit.

Family Reunion Visa (Visado de Reagrupación Familiar)

The Family Reunion Visa allows family members of legal residents in Spain to join them. The applicant must have been a legal resident of Spain for at least one year.

Eligible family members include:

- A spouse or registered partner
- Children under 18 or dependent children
- Parents over 65 who are dependent on the applicant

Foreigners residing in Spain who do not have permits for family members or dependents included in their residence status can bring their relatives if they have been living in Spain legally for at least one year.‍

EU Family Member Residence Visa (Visado de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la UE)

Non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens residing in Spain who plan to stay in Spain for more than three months to visit or accompany their family member need to apply for an EU Family Member Residence Visa.

Eligibility:

- Spouse or Registered Partner: Must be married or in a registered partnership.
- Direct Children and Ancestors: Includes dependent children under 21 and parents under the care of the EU citizen.
- Dependent and Cohabiting Family Members: Those dependent on the EU citizen or living with them for at least 24 months.
- Unregistered Partners: Stable relationships proven by cohabitation or common offspring.

The residence card for a family member of an EU citizen is valid for five years from the date of issuance or for the duration of the EU citizen's expected stay, if it is less than five years. After five years, the card can be renewed and converted into permanent residence.

Non-Lucrative Residence Visa (Permiso de Residencia No Lucrativa)

A Non-Lucrative Residence Visa allows non-EU nationals to live in Spain without engaging in any work activities. It is initially valid for one year and can be renewed annually, provided the holder has not exceeded the maximum allowed absences from Spain.

Requirements:

- Financial Means: Proof of sufficient financial resources to support oneself without working in Spain.
- Health insurance: Demonstrated health coverage through a private health insurance.
- Residence Permit: After entering Spain, the individual must apply for a renewable non-lucrative residence permit. 

Application is possible if the applicant is already legally residing in Spain. In these cases, obtaining a visa is not necessary, and the application for the residence permit can be done directly.

Work and residence permit as a "Freelancer" (Permiso de residencia y trabajo por Cuenta Propia)

There is an entrepreneur residence permit, provided that they are willing to start their own business in Spain, and that it is innovative.

This project must be innovative (it must be recognized by a specialized association as such).

Asilo y Refugio (Political asylum)

It can be requested when a country has suffered a natural disaster or if they come from a region in conflict; it is an international protection. While the political asylum is being resolved, it is possible to obtain what is known as a red card and stay in our country for 6 months (it is renewed as long as you do not receive a response from the immigration office).

Temporary residence authorization for exceptional circumstances. Arraigo.

The residency based on arraigo is a type of residency authorization by which legal residency can be granted to foreigners who are in Spain in an irregular situation. There are three types (Family, Labor and Social). All of them require having resided in Spain for a certain period of time.

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This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. The appropriate visa or permit for an individual will be determined based on their specific circumstances and eligibility criteria. 

Jobbatical specializes in end-to-end global mobility, providing full support for the relocation of skilled professionals to Spain, for employers and their employees. Our expert team takes care of all the time-consuming immigration and settling-in procedures, for complete peace of mind through the entire relocation process. Learn more about our services here.

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