🇪🇸 Spain · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Quick answer
Non-EU nationals need a work and residence authorisation to work in Spain; EU/EEA and Swiss citizens work freely. Common routes are employed work, the Highly Qualified Professional permit and self-employment, plus a digital-nomad visa for remote workers. Applications run through the immigration authorities and consulates.
Non-EU nationals need a work and residence authorisation to work in Spain; EU citizens work freely. Routes include employed work, highly-qualified professionals and self-employment.
- EU/EEA citizens work without a permit; non-EU nationals need a work authorisation.
- Employer-sponsored, highly-qualified and self-employed routes exist.
- Applications are handled by the immigration authorities and consulates.
Official authorities
- Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones
Work and residence permits for foreign nationals.
Frequently asked questions
Do EU citizens need a work permit in Spain?
No — EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can live and work in Spain without a permit, registering as residents after a few months.
What is the Highly Qualified Professional visa?
A faster route for well-paid skilled roles, often processed under the Startups Law with benefits for the worker and family.
Is there a digital-nomad visa?
Yes — Spain offers a digital-nomad visa for non-EU remote workers with foreign income, allowing residence while working online.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.