Quick answer
To work for a Spanish employer as a non-EU citizen you need a work-and-residence authorisation, which your employer initiates. Once approved, you apply for the visa at the consulate. Highly qualified professionals can use the faster EU Blue Card. If you work remotely for a foreign company, use the Digital Nomad Visa instead.
The main routes
Standard work permit
Employer-sponsored; the role may face a labour-market test unless it's a shortage occupation.
EU Blue Card / highly qualified
Faster processing for degree-level roles above a salary threshold; more EU mobility.
How it works
- 1Employer secures authorisationYour Spanish employer applies for the work-and-residence authorisation.
- 2You apply for the visaOnce approved, apply at the Spanish consulate in your country with your documents.
- 3Enter Spain & get your TIETravel within the visa window, then apply for your TIE card and empadronamiento.
- 4Renew & progressRenew the permit; after 5 years of legal residence you can seek long-term residency.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a work visa for Spain?▼
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who want to work for a Spanish employer need a work-and-residence authorisation. EU citizens don't — they just register as residents. If you work remotely for a company outside Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa is usually the right route instead.
Who applies — me or my employer?▼
Your Spanish employer starts the process by applying for the work authorisation (the job must generally pass a labour-market test unless it's on the shortage-occupation list or you qualify as highly skilled). Once approved, you apply for the visa at the Spanish consulate in your country.
What is the EU Blue Card?▼
It's a fast-tracked residence-and-work permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a university degree (or equivalent experience) and a job offer above a salary threshold. It offers quicker processing and more mobility than the standard work permit.
Can I switch from a tourist stay to a work visa in Spain?▼
Generally no — the standard work visa is applied for from your home country at the consulate. Some highly qualified profiles (under the Startups Law / Ley de Emprendedores) can be processed from inside Spain. A lawyer can tell you which route fits.
How long is a Spanish work visa valid?▼
The initial authorisation is typically valid for up to one year, then renewed (commonly for longer periods). After five years of legal residence you can apply for long-term residency.
What documents do I need?▼
Usually a signed job contract, proof of your qualifications/experience, a clean criminal-record certificate, a medical certificate, passport photos and the employer's authorisation approval. Everything must be apostilled and officially translated.
Related guides & services
General information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change — confirm the current requirements with an official source or a licensed immigration lawyer before applying.