How to get a Spain work visa in 2025

Obtaining a work visa to Spain is one of the available ways to move to this country. Big companies in the kingdom are constantly in search of highly qualified professional staff from abroad due to the annual outflow of young professionals to the countries of Northern Europe and the USA.
A residence permit with work authorization offers more than just the chance to enjoy Spain’s warm and comfortable climate year-round. It also provides: career opportunities in leading Spanish companies; the ability to bring family members or a partner; international work experience and valuable professional qualifications recognized by top global employers.
In this article, we will describe the process of obtaining a Spain work visa, the nuances that must be taken into account when applying, as well as the timing and cost of obtaining a residence permit.
Who can apply for a Spain work visa?
The work visa in Spain is primarily intended for individuals who plan to engage in professional activities under an employment contract with a company registered in Spain. This applies to both temporary seasonal jobs and long-term contracts.
A work visa can be granted to applicants who:
- Are 16 years or older.
- Have a valid employment contract with a Spanish employer (excluding entrepreneurs planning to establish a business in Spain).
- Possess a work authorization permit issued by the Spanish Immigration Office (submitted by the employer).
- Have the necessary qualifications required for the job.
- Are not citizens of an EU country, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area (EEA).
- Are not listed on any EU blacklist.
- Have no criminal record in their country of citizenship or residence.
For a successful work visa application, the job offer from a Spanish employer must meet one of the following conditions: it must be listed on the official shortage occupation list for the specific region, which is updated annually and/or must be publicly posted in Spain’s national job database, proving that no qualified local candidates were available for the role. The exceptions are citizens of Chile and Peru, to whom this rule does not apply.
Types of Spain work visas

- A. Short-Term Work Visa — allows a stay in Spain for up to 90 days. Issued to individuals with temporary contracts for seasonal work.
- B. Long-Term Work Visa — grants permission to stay in Spain for up to 12 months. Issued to individuals with long-term employment contracts with a Spanish employer.
- C. Work Visa Extension — a visa that extends Type B, allowing an additional one-year stay if the employment contract is renewed.
- D. Entrepreneur Visa — allows a stay in Spain for 12 or 24 months (with renewal). Issued to individuals who plan to establish a business or engage in entrepreneurial activities in Spain.
- E. Extended Entrepreneur Visa — granted for 3 years upon the second renewal of the Type D visa for entrepreneurs.
Where to apply for a work visa to Spain
After receiving an employment contract and a work permit from the employer, all the applicant’s documents are submitted directly to the Spanish Consulate in the country of residence, and it is also possible to submit them through the visa centers of the country of residence. To make an appointment directly at the consulate, you must first contact us by phone or e-mail and receive confirmation, the date and time of the appointment.
Required documents
- International passport. Must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the visa issuance date. Must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
- A valid employment contract. The contract must specify all the terms of employment, terms, amounts, and payment procedure. The contract must be prepared, notarized, and sent by the employer.
- Official invitation from the employer. Must be printed on the company’s official letterhead and signed.
- Initial residence and employment permit (Issued by Spanish immigration authorities).
- A complete copy of the internal passport or ID card.
- Confirmation of residence in the territory of the consular district (registration at the place of residence).
- Visa application form and data processing consent. Must be filled out in English in block letters using the designated form. The applicant’s personal signature is required.
- Sample photo. It is necessary to provide a color photo (2 pcs.) 3.5×4.5 cm based on the sample of the photos for the Schengen visa. The face in the photo should occupy at least 70% of the frame.
- Medical insurance policy. The coverage should be more than 30,000 euros in the EU and the Schengen Area, and the policy should be valid for the entire duration of the trip.
- Rental agreement or other housing confirmation in Spain.
- A certificate of non-criminal record from the country of citizenship and the country of residence, if they differ.
- Receipts for payment of consular and visa fees.
- Medical certificate. It must confirm the absence of dangerous diseases.
- Financial guarantees. The applicant can provide a choice of: confirmation of the availability of funds in a bank account, a credit card statement, a letter of sponsorship.
All certificates and documents must be legalized (with apostille affixed) and translated into Spanish. At the same time, the consulate has the right to request the provision of additional documents if the specified information is insufficient, as well as to call for a personal interview.
The procedure for obtaining a work visa in Spain

The process of applying for a work visa begins with the search for a potential employer. To do this, you can send your resume remotely from your home country or meet with your employer in person during a short trip to Spain. After reaching preliminary agreements on possible employment, the procedure includes the following steps:
- The employer prepares the necessary documents. He submits an application to the Spanish Ministry of Labor and the Immigration Bureau, confirming his intention to hire a foreign employee, and receives appropriate permission from government authorities. After that, a work contract is drawn up with prescribed terms of cooperation, as well as an official invitation containing information about the employer and the future employee. The originals of all documents are given to the potential employee.
- Submission of documents to the consulate or visa application center. The applicant collects a complete package of necessary documents, including their apostillation and translation into Spanish. On the appointed day, he visits the Spanish consulate or visa application center, where he provides the prepared documents. Biometric data is also submitted as part of the procedure for obtaining a Schengen visa.
- Waiting for a response from the consulate. The visa review period is 1 month from the date of application, in some cases it may take up to 3 months. During this period, the consulate may contact the applicant for additional information or clarifications. The application status is available for verification on the website of the visa application center using the data provided at the time of submission. You can receive the finished documents in person or order delivery by courier.
- Obtaining a foreigner’s identity card in Spain. Within 90 days from the issuance of the visa, it is necessary to enter Spain, register at the Office of Registration of Foreigners and the police station, and obtain a social security number.
Can I be denied a work visa in Spain?
The most common reasons for refusing to issue a work visa to Spain:
- Incorrectly completed documents.
- Submission of false information.
- Insufficient financial proof.
- Violation of Schengen Area rules.
- Lack of medical insurance.
- Unresolved legal issues in the Schengen Area.
- No proof of accommodation.
- Poorly written motivation letter.
In case of refusal, the applicant has the right to file an appeal to challenge the decision. If the refusal is related to errors in the paperwork, it is possible to reapply for corrections, accompanied by the repeated payment of fees and charges.
What are the consequences of illegal work in Spain?

Illegal labor activity is punishable by fines and imprisonment. It is also possible to make a decision on deportation, followed by a ban on entry into the Schengen Area. In addition, illegal employees are not protected by law: in case of violations on the part of the employer, such as non-payment of wages, they cannot expect compensation for the time and effort spent.
Employers who hire employees without the necessary permission are also liable, which can lead to heavy fines or even arrest.
Other ways to legally live and work in Spain
One of the easiest ways to obtain a Spanish residence permit this year is through a digital nomad visa, which allows you to stay in this country without a time limit and even receive a limited income from your work. The purchase of property in the country is still an affordable way. Admission to university and language courses is also one of the options for obtaining a Spanish residence permit.
Our migration specialists are ready to advise you on relocation to Spain and obtaining a residence permit.
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