Spain’s work visa process is anything but straightforward. Government websites can be vague, requirements change, and figuring out which visa fits your situation isn’t always obvious.

To cut through the confusion, I talked to an immigration expert who helps non-EU citizens successfully apply for Spanish work visas. We broke down each option, common challenges, and what applicants need to prepare in advance. If you’re serious about working in Spain, this guide will help you understand the process and avoid common mistakes.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide:

• Who needs a work visa for Spain (and who doesn’t)?

• A comparison of all work visa options—including the High-Qualified Professional Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and Startup Visa.

• A step-by-step breakdown of the application process, including timelines.

• Common mistakes to avoid when applying.

• How to determine which visa is right for you (and a free quiz to help you decide).

Do I Need a Work Visa for Spain?

We asked immigration expert Evgenia this very question, and her answer was simple: If you're not from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you need a work visa to legally work in Spain. But the details depend on your specific situation.

You Need a Work Visa If You Are:

✅ A non-EU citizen moving to Spain for work.
✅ A remote worker planning to live in Spain while working for a company outside the country.
✅ A freelancer or entrepreneur starting a business in Spain.
✅ A foreigner with a job offer from a Spanish company.

Common mistake: Many people think they can work remotely from Spain on a tourist visa, but Evgenia warns that this can create legal and tax problems if you stay longer than 90 days.

You Don’t Need a Work Visa If You Are:

❌ An EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen—you have the right to work in Spain but may need to register locally.
❌ A legal resident of Spain with work authorization.
❌ Visiting Spain for business meetings or conferences but not working for a Spanish employer.

Special Cases to Consider:

⚠️ Students on a visa—Some student visas allow part-time work with employer approval.
⚠️ Family members of Spanish residents—Certain residency permits may allow family members to work.
⚠️ Seasonal workers—Temporary work visas are available for short-term employment.

Breaking Down Spain’s Work Visa Requirements

It is not enough to understand the different work visas, meeting the requirements is where things often get complicated. Immigration rules in Spain can be strict, and applications get rejected all the time because of missing documents, small inconsistencies, or misunderstandings about what’s actually required.

To clear up the confusion, immigration expert Evgenia shared exactly what you need to qualify, the key documents to prepare, and the common pitfalls that can get your application rejected.

Here’s what you need to know for each visa type.

What are the different types of work visas in Spain

1. High-Qualified Professional Visa: For Skilled Workers with a Spanish Job Offer

This visa is for highly skilled professionals hired by a Spanish company. It’s often used for positions in tech, finance, engineering, healthcare, and other specialized fields. If your role falls under this category, your employer will handle most of the application process, but you still need to meet specific requirements:

Key Requirements:

• Job Offer: You must have a confirmed job contract with a Spanish company before applying.

• Salary Threshold: Your salary must meet or exceed Spain’s minimum for highly skilled professionals (this varies but is usually around €40,000–€50,000 per year).

• Relevant Education or Experience: You need to provide proof of higher education (a degree) or extensive professional experience in your field.

• Employer Sponsorship: Your employer must handle the application and submit the necessary paperwork to Spain’s Large Companies Unit (UGE).

Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejections:

• Salary below the threshold—this is non-negotiable. If your job offer doesn’t meet the required amount, you won’t qualify.

• Lack of supporting documents—if your degree isn’t properly legalized (apostilled) or your experience isn’t well-documented, your application may be rejected.

• Applying independently—this visa must be processed by your employer, so trying to apply on your own won’t work.

✅ Who this visa is best for: Professionals in specialized fields who already have a high-paying job offer in Spain.
❌ Who this visa isn’t for: People looking for a job or those whose salary doesn’t meet the threshold.

2. General Work Visa: For Non-Specialized Jobs with a Spanish Employer

If you have a job offer in Spain but don’t qualify as a “highly skilled” professional, this is the visa you’ll likely need. However, it’s much harder to obtain because your employer must prove that no EU citizen can do the job before hiring you.

Key Requirements:

• Confirmed Job Offer: You must have an official contract with a Spanish employer.

• Shortage Occupation List: Your job must be on Spain’s Shortage Occupation List, or your employer must prove they advertised the position and no EU candidates applied.

• Employer Sponsorship: Like the High-Qualified Professional Visa, your employer must submit the application on your behalf.

• Social Security Registration: Your employer must register you with Spain’s social security system before you start working.

Why This Visa Is Hard to Get:

• Most non-specialized roles are filled by EU citizens because companies must prioritize them by law.

• If your job isn’t on the Shortage Occupation List, proving that no EU citizen applied can be difficult.

• Applications often take months to process, and employers don’t always want to wait that long.

✅ Who this visa is best for: People who already have a confirmed job offer in an in-demand field.
❌ Who this visa isn’t for: Those still job searching or applying for jobs that can be easily filled by EU citizens.

3. Digital Nomad Visa: For Remote Workers Employed by a Non-Spanish Company

The Digital Nomad Visa is one of Spain’s most exciting visa options, especially for remote workers and freelancers. Unlike other work visas, you don’t need a Spanish employer—instead, you must work for a company outside of Spain or have international clients.

Key Requirements:

• Proof of Remote Employment: You must show a contract or invoices proving that you’ve been working remotely for at least three months before applying.

• Minimum Income Requirement: You must earn at least €2,700 per month (this amount increases if you bring dependents).

• Company Stability: If you’re employed, the company you work for must have existed for at least one year before you apply.

• Letter of Authorization: Your employer (or clients) must provide a letter stating that you’re allowed to work from Spain.

• No Spanish Clients (Mostly): If you’re a freelancer, no more than 20% of your income can come from Spanish companies.

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected:

• Not meeting the income requirement—this is non-negotiable.

• Lack of company documentation—if your employer doesn’t provide a formal letter allowing remote work, your application won’t be approved.

• Applying as a freelancer with too many Spanish clients—if more than 20% of your earnings come from Spain, you won’t qualify.

✅ Who this visa is best for: Remote employees and freelancers with international clients who want to live in Spain.
❌ Who this visa isn’t for: People working for Spanish companies or freelancers relying heavily on Spanish clients.

4. Startup Visa: For Entrepreneurs with Innovative Business Ideas

If you want to start a business in Spain, the Startup Visa is your best option. But this visa isn’t for just any business—it must be innovative and beneficial to Spain’s economy.

Key Requirements:

• Innovative Business Plan: Your business must be considered technologically advanced, scalable, or beneficial to Spain’s economy.

• Financial Stability: You must have at least €32,000 in savings to support yourself while launching your business.

• Approval from Spanish Authorities: Your business plan must be approved by ENISA (Spain’s National Innovation Agency) before you apply.

• Legal Presence in Spain: You must apply from within Spain, usually while on a tourist visa.

Common Reasons for Rejection:

• Business idea isn’t innovative enough—traditional businesses (like cafés, retail shops, or salons) won’t qualify.

• Weak business plan—applications are heavily scrutinized by Spanish authorities, so vague or poorly developed proposals won’t get approved.

• Insufficient savings—if you can’t prove you have enough money to sustain yourself, you won’t qualify.

✅ Who this visa is best for: Entrepreneurs with tech-based or highly innovative business ideas.
❌ Who this visa isn’t for: People starting non-innovative businesses or lacking financial stability.

5. Entrepreneur Visa (Autónomo Visa): For Freelancers & Self-Employed Workers

This visa is for freelancers or small business owners who want to work independently in Spain. However, you must have already lived in Spain for at least a year on another visa before applying.

Key Requirements:

• One Year of Legal Residency in Spain: You must have lived in Spain for at least one year before applying.

• Business Viability: You must show a detailed business plan proving that your work is financially sustainable.

• Registration as Self-Employed (Autónomo): You must register with Spain’s social security system and start paying taxes.

✅ Who this visa is best for: People already living in Spain who want to become self-employed.
❌ Who this visa isn’t for: First-time applicants who haven’t lived in Spain yet.

Still unsure which visa is right for you? Take our Work Visa Quiz below to get a personalized recommendation!

Spain Work Visa Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide from Immigration Experts

Now that you have a clearer idea of which work visa suits your situation, here’s what to expect during the application process. In my conversation with immigration expert Evgenia—who has guided countless non-EU citizens through this journey—she shared key insights on each stage, including common challenges and how to avoid delays.

Here’s a breakdown of the exact steps involved, including how long each stage takes and common pitfalls to avoid.

Step 1: Choose the Right Work Visa

⏳ Estimated Time: 1–2 weeks

Your visa choice depends on how you plan to work in Spain. Many people get stuck here because they assume they can apply for any work visa, but the Spanish system is strict about eligibility.

From my discussion with Evgenia, here’s how to determine which visa makes sense for you:

• Got a Spanish job offer? → General Work Visa (if it’s a regular job) or High-Qualified Professional Visa (for specialized roles)

• Work remotely for a non-Spanish company? → Digital Nomad Visa

• Launching a startup? → Startup Visa

• Freelancer or self-employed? → Entrepreneur (Autónomo) Visa (but only if you've already lived in Spain for a year)

If you’re unsure, take our Work Visa Eligibility Quiz to assess your best option.

Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documents

⏳ Estimated Time: 2–4 weeks

This is where many applicants hit their first roadblock. Spanish immigration authorities require perfectly prepared documents, and even minor mistakes can result in rejection.

Here’s what Evgenia emphasized as critical:
✅ Valid Passport (with at least six months remaining)
✅ Employment Contract or Business Plan, depending on visa type
✅ Proof of Income (Bank statements, invoices, or salary slips)
✅ Health Insurance (must be private and full-coverage in Spain)
✅ Criminal Background Check (Apostilled and officially translated)
✅ Professional Qualifications (for high-skilled roles)

Pro Tip from Evgenia: “If documents contradict each other—like pay slips showing a different salary than your contract—Spanish authorities will flag it. Double-check everything.”

This stage can take longer if you need translations or apostilles, so start early.

Step 3: Submit Your Visa Application at a Spanish Consulate

⏳ Estimated Time: 4–12 weeks

Applications are usually submitted at the Spanish consulate in your home country. However, Spain has two major exceptions that allow you to apply from within Spain:

• Digital Nomad Visa

• Startup Visa

How the Submission Process Works:

1. Book an Appointment (some consulates have long wait times—plan ahead).

2. Pay the Application Fee (varies by country and visa type).

3. Submit All Required Documents (make sure translations and apostilles are done correctly).

4. Wait for Processing (timeline varies based on visa type).

Processing Times by Visa Type:

• Digital Nomad Visa: 20 working days

• Startup Visa: ~45 days

• General Work Visa: 2–3 months

• High-Qualified Professional Visa: ~30 days

Evgenia’s Advice: “If the consulate doesn’t respond within the deadline, you may be automatically approved under Spain’s administrative silence rule.”

Step 4: Receive Your Visa & Travel to Spain

⏳ Estimated Time: 1–4 weeks after approval

Once approved, you’ll receive a visa sticker in your passport. You must travel to Spain within the visa’s validity period—don’t delay.

Important points:

• Most consulates issue a one-year visa initially.

• If you apply from within Spain (for Digital Nomad or Startup Visa), you can receive a 3-year residence permit from the start.

Real Case from Evgenia’s Clients: “One applicant received a visa but waited too long to move, and their visa expired before they traveled. They had to restart the entire process.”

Step 5: Register in Spain & Get Your NIE (Foreigner ID)

⏳ Estimated Time: Within 30 days of arrival in Spain

Once in Spain, your visa alone isn’t enough. You must register as a resident and obtain your Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE), which is your official foreigner identification number.

How to Get Your NIE:

1. Register Your Address at the local town hall (Empadronamiento).

2. Book an Appointment at the immigration office for your residence card (TIE).

3. Submit Fingerprints & Collect Your TIE Card (issued in ~30 days).

Evgenia’s Insight: “If you don’t register within 30 days of arriving, your visa could be revoked.”

Step 6: Renew Your Visa or Transition to Permanent Residency

⏳ Estimated Time: 1–3 months before visa expiration

Most work visas can be renewed, and after five years, you may qualify for permanent residency. However, renewal rules differ by visa type:

• Digital Nomad Visa → Requires proof of continued employment and tax compliance.

• Startup Visa → Must show business success and revenue.

• General Work Visa → Employer must prove your job is still needed.

If you’re thinking long-term, Spain offers permanent residency after five years and even citizenship after ten years in most cases.

Whether you’re a skilled professional, a remote worker, or an entrepreneur, understanding the visa options available to you is the first step toward making your move to Spain a reality.

By now, you should have a clear idea of which visa aligns with your situation, what the requirements are, and what to expect during the application process. From securing the right documentation to meeting income thresholds and avoiding common pitfalls, every detail matters.

If you’re still unsure about which visa is the best fit or need assistance with your application, consulting an immigration expert can save you time and frustration. Ensuring that your documents are properly prepared, translated, and submitted correctly can make all the difference in getting approved without unnecessary delays.

Spain’s immigration system can be complex, but with the right guidance, you can successfully secure your work visa and start your new chapter.