Spain Work Visa Guide 2025: Step-by-Step Application, Requirements, and Documents

Spain, the vibrant heart of southern Europe, remains a top destination for international professionals seeking employment in the EU. With a growing digital economy, tourism, and healthcare sectors, the demand for foreign talent is robust. Yet, obtaining a work visa for Spain involves a precise process, layered documentation, and a clear understanding of the legal landscape. This 2025 guide will break down each visa type, eligibility requirement, step-by-step application instructions, and all documents needed to secure your Spanish work permit.

Work visa categories overview

Spain issues several types of work visas, tailored to the nature of the job, applicant’s background, and duration of employment. The primary categories are:

• Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Blue Card EU)
• Standard Employee Work Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Self-Employed (Autónomo) Work Visa
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa
• Digital Nomad Visa (introduced 2023, popular in 2025 for remote tech roles)

Each visa type requires a unique set of documentation and has its own legal process. Let’s examine the specifics of each.

Citizens who require a work visa

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must obtain a work visa and residence permit before starting employment.
• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not require a visa but must register with local authorities and obtain a Foreigners’ Identity Number (NIE).

Spanish employer’s role

Before you apply for a Spanish work visa, your prospective employer must secure initial approval from the Spanish Ministry of Labor (Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social).

Process outline:

• The employer submits a work authorization application (autorización de trabajo y residencia) on your behalf, demonstrating no suitable Spanish/EU candidate is available for the role, except for Blue Card and some specialist roles.
• Labor market tests may apply, except for critical shortage occupations.
• The employer provides a signed employment contract, stating salary, working hours, and job description.

Key eligibility points

• Valid job offer from a registered Spanish employer.
• Compliance with minimum salary thresholds (varies by region, sector, and visa type).
• No criminal record in Spain or previous countries of residence.
• Clean immigration history (no prior overstays or bans in the Schengen zone).
• Health insurance covering Spain (public or private).

Step 1: Employer Applies for Work Authorization

Employer files application

• The Spanish employer submits the initial work authorization request to the Provincial Office of Labor and Immigration (Oficina de Extranjería).
• Required documents from the employer include the employment contract, company registration documents, and proof of inability to fill the role locally (where required).
• Processing time: Typically 1–3 months.

Step 2: Receive Approval and Notification

Approval notice

• Once approved, you will receive an official notification (“concesión de autorización de residencia y trabajo”) via the employer.
• This approval is required to start your visa application at the Spanish consulate.

Step 3: Apply for Work Visa at Spanish Consulate

Personal visa application

• Apply in person at the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence.
• Submit all required documents (see next section for specifics).
• Pay the visa fee (ranges from €60–€150 depending on your nationality and visa type).
• Attend a biometric appointment (fingerprints and photo).

Processing time:
Visa processing at the consulate can take 2–8 weeks depending on workload and applicant nationality.

Step 4: Receive Your Visa and Travel to Spain

Visa issuance

• Once your visa is approved, you receive a national D-type visa, typically valid for 90 days for entry.
• You must enter Spain within this period.

Step 5: Register in Spain and Obtain Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)

Post-arrival registration

• Within 30 days of arrival, register your address at the local town hall (Empadronamiento).
• Apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) at the local police station or immigration office.
• The TIE card serves as your official residence and work permit in Spain.

Essential documents checklist

Here’s a deep-dive into what you’ll need. Documents may vary slightly by consulate and visa type, but generally include:

• Completed national visa application form (Modelo EX–03 or relevant form)
• Valid passport (original and copies, with at least 12 months validity and two blank pages)
• Recent passport-sized photographs (typically two, meeting biometric standards)
• Work and residence authorization approval from Spanish authorities (official letter)
• Signed employment contract (original and copy)
• Company’s tax ID (CIF) and registration documents (for employer’s proof)
• Proof of qualifications and professional credentials (degree, diploma, professional licenses)
• Criminal background check certificate from countries of residence in the past five years (apostilled and translated into Spanish)
• Medical certificate confirming absence of communicable diseases (not older than 3 months, apostilled and translated)
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks in Spain
• Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental contract, invitation letter, or hotel booking)
• Visa fee payment receipt
• Proof of financial means if required (for certain visa types like self-employed)

Additional for family members:
If you plan to bring dependents, provide marriage and birth certificates, each apostilled and officially translated.

Special requirements

• University degree or 5+ years of professional experience.
• Salary threshold: Must earn at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Spain (approx. €34,000–€40,000/year in 2025).
• Employer does not need to prove labor market test.
• Path to permanent residency: The Blue Card provides a fast track to long-term EU residence after five years.

Eligibility for digital nomads

• Work for non-Spanish companies (max 20% of income from Spanish companies).
• Demonstrate stable income (usually at least €2,300/month).
• Show remote work contract or proof of self-employment.
• Provide proof of health insurance, clean background, and accommodation.

Be meticulous with documentation

• Translations: All documents not originally in Spanish must be officially translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
• Apostille: Many documents (police, medical, civil certificates) require an Apostille stamp for international validity.
• Timing: Some documents, like police and medical certificates, are only valid for 3–6 months.
• Originals and copies: Bring both; consulates usually keep copies but may want to see originals.

Common reasons for refusal

• Incomplete or incorrectly filled application forms.
• Missing or insufficiently certified translations or apostilles.
• Lack of sufficient proof of qualifications or work experience.
• Gaps in health insurance coverage.
• Insufficient financial means for self-employed/nomad applicants.

• Employer work authorization: 1–3 months
• Consulate visa processing: 2–8 weeks
• TIE card after arrival: 2–4 weeks

Total estimated time:
Allow 3–5 months from job offer to legal employment in Spain.

Register your address

• Complete Empadronamiento at your local town hall to register your residence.

Apply for TIE card

• Book your appointment as soon as possible due to high demand in major cities.

Social Security registration

• Your employer should register you for social security; self-employed must register themselves.

Open a Spanish bank account

• Necessary for salary payments and official processes.

Visa renewal

• Work visas are initially valid for 1–2 years and can be renewed.
• Must show continued employment, no criminal record, and up-to-date registration.

Permanent residency

• After 5 years of legal residence (and work), you may apply for long-term EU residence (residencia de larga duración-UE).

Plan ahead
Start your process early, especially if documents require translation and apostille.

Consult your employer
Spanish companies familiar with hiring foreigners often have legal partners or HR teams to assist.

Check regional requirements
Some autonomous communities (Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia) may have slightly different bureaucratic procedures.

Track changes in policy
Spain updates its migration laws periodically. The digital nomad visa, for example, has undergone several tweaks since 2023.

Conclusion

Applying for a Spain work visa in 2025 is a detailed, multi-stage process that requires careful planning and meticulous documentation. By understanding each step—from employer sponsorship to visa application, and from collecting apostilled documents to registering on arrival—you can maximize your chances of a successful outcome and start your professional journey in Spain with confidence. Take time to gather your paperwork, follow the process, and consult with your employer or a legal advisor for any complex cases. Spain’s open, diverse workforce awaits those who prepare well.