Spain Employee Work Visa: Requirements and Process

Who can apply

You must not be a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. You also cannot be a family member of citizens from these countries who fall under the Union citizen rules.^[1]

You must not be in Spain illegally. You must not have a commitment to not return to Spain, which you might have agreed to when returning voluntarily to your home country.^[2][3]

You must not have a criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived during the last five years for crimes that exist under Spanish law. You must not be listed as rejectable in countries that have an agreement with Spain. You must not be a threat to public order, security, or public health.^[4][5][6]

The national employment situation in Spain must allow your hiring. Your employer must have enough economic, material, or personal means for their business and to meet the contract obligations. The employer must also be registered with Social Security and be up to date with tax and Social Security payments.^[7][8][9]

What you need to show

You must have the training and professional qualifications required by law to do the job. These qualifications must be officially recognized if necessary.^[10]

Your employment contract must guarantee continuous activity during the time your permit is valid. The conditions in your contract must follow current regulations.^[11][12]

Documents you must provide

You must submit the official application form EX-03. This form must be filled out and signed by the hiring company. You also need a complete copy of your valid passport or travel document.^[13][14]

You must provide a copy of the documents that prove your professional training or qualifications.^[15]

For the visa application, you must provide a medical certificate. You must also provide a criminal record certificate from your home country or the countries where you lived during the last five years. Your passport or travel document must have a minimum validity of one year when you apply for the visa.^[16][17][18]

If you submit documents from other countries, you must have them translated into Spanish or a co-official language by a sworn translator. You must also legalize foreign public documents through the Spanish Consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Hague Apostille, unless an agreement exempts you.^[19][20]

Costs and fees

You must pay the fee for processing the application. You must pay the residence and work fees within ten business days of submitting the application. You must also provide proof that you paid the visa fee.^{[21][22][23][24]}

Timing and next steps

If the permit is approved, you must personally apply for the visa within one month of the employer being notified. You must personally collect the visa within one month of being notified that it was granted.^{[25][26][27][28]}

You must enter Spain within the three months that your visa is valid. Once you are registered with Social Security, you must personally apply for your foreigner identity card within one month.^{[29][30][31][32]}

Checklist

• Submit the official EX-03 application form signed by your employer.^[13]
• Provide a complete copy of your valid passport.^[14]
• Provide proof of your professional qualifications.^[15]
• Submit a signed employment contract that guarantees continuous work.^[11]
• Provide a medical certificate for your visa application.^[16]
• Provide a criminal record certificate covering the last five years.^[17]
• Translate foreign documents into Spanish using a sworn translator.^[19]
• Legalize foreign public documents or get a Hague Apostille.^[20]
• Pay the residence and work fees within ten business days of applying.^[22]
• Provide proof of paying the visa fee.^[24]

Questions people ask

This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.