A confirmed job offer is the first step. The paperwork is where most applications stall, and we make sure yours doesn't.
The standard Spain work permit is the authorization that allows a non-EU national to live and work legally in Spain on the basis of a specific job offer from a Spanish employer. It is not a visa you apply for independently: the process is employer-initiated, and it runs through the Spanish immigration authorities before you travel.
Once granted, the initial Spain work permit is typically valid for one year and tied to the specific employer and role for which it was approved. It is renewable, and after a number of successful renewals you can progress toward a longer-term residence authorization.
This route is governed by Spain’s general immigration law. It is distinct from faster-track options such as the Highly Qualified Professional permit, which applies to senior hires and carries different salary and processing criteria.
Both the employer and the employee must meet eligibility criteria.
The employer files the initial application in Spain while you remain in your home country. Here is what both parties need to prepare.
After the work authorization is granted in Spain, you apply for the corresponding national visa at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence. Once you enter Spain, you have one month to apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — your Spanish residence card) at the provincial immigration office.
The employer leads the process. Here is how it works from start to finish.
The Spain work permit process involves two parties—you and your employer—each with specific legal obligations and deadlines. Coordinating both sides correctly while preparing documentation to the standard expected by the provincial immigration authority is where applications most commonly encounter delays without professional legal guidance.
Here is what we do:
Your application is managed by the same lawyer from your employer’s initial filing through to collecting your TIE card, so you always know what stage your application has reached and what comes next.
Depending on your role, salary, and employer, one of these alternatives may be a faster or stronger route.
For senior hires, managers, and specialists earning above Spain’s qualified salary thresholds. Faster 20-business-day processing, no labor market test, and a 3-year initial permit.
If you don’t yet have a confirmed job offer, the job seeker visa lets eligible candidates enter Spain to find work for up to 12 months, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Not sure which work visa fits your situation? See every route in one place.
If you have a Spanish job offer, the clock is already ticking. Your employer needs to file first, and processing takes time. The sooner we review your situation, the more clearly we can mapout the timeline and make sure nothing delays your start date.
No. The standard Spain work permit requires a confirmed job offer and is filed by your employer in Spain. You cannot apply independently. If you want to come to Spain to look forwork first, and you meet the eligibility criteria, the Job Seeker Visa is the relevant alternative.
In most cases, yes. This is called the labor market test (prueba de mercado laboral). The employer must advertise the role through SEPE and demonstrate that no suitable EU candidate was identified. However, if the role appears on SEPE’s official hard-to-fill occupations catalogue, the test is waived. We can confirm at consultation whether your role qualifies for this exemption.
The work authorization granted in Spain typically takes one to three months from the employer’s filing date. After that, you need to apply for the national visa at your Spanish consulate, which adds further time depending on the consulate’s workload. You should plan for a total process of three to five months from start to entry.
Yes. Once your work permit is approved and you are legally resident in Spain, you can apply for family reunification for your spouse and dependent children. Family members are granted a residence authorization and can also apply for work authorization in many cases. We handle the family reunification process alongside the main permit.
You apply for renewal before the expiry date. The first renewal is typically for two years. After that, you can apply for a long-term residence permit, which provides greater independence and is not tied to a specific employer. We manage all renewals as part of our ongoing client support.
If the employer is not registered or operating in Spain, the standard work permit route does not apply in the same way, because the employer must be filing in Spain. If the employer has a Spanish subsidiary or branch, that entity can act as the filing employer. If the arrangement involves remote work for a foreign company, the Digital Nomad Visa may be more relevant. We can advise on the right structure at consultation.
Yes. Once you enter Spain on your work visa, you must apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — your Spanish residence card) within one month of arrival. The TIE is the physical document that proves your legal status in Spain and is required for most practical purposes, including opening a bank account and signing a lease.
