Spain Seasonal 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 are subject to that regime.^[1][2]

You must not be in Spain or reside in Spain when the application is made.^[3]

You must have a clean criminal record in Spain and in any countries where you lived during the last five years. This applies to offenses that exist under Spanish law.^[4]

You must have the professional training and qualifications required by law to do the job. You must also commit to returning to your home country once your work contract ends.^[5][6]

What you need to show

Your employer must provide you with adequate housing. This accommodation must be clean and fit to live in.^[7]

Your employer must buy health insurance for you. This insurance must cover your healthcare from the start of your trip until you are registered with Social Security.^[8]

Documents

You must submit the official application form EX-06, fully filled out and signed. You must also provide a copy of your complete, valid passport or travel document.^[9][10]

Any foreign public documents must be legalized or apostilled beforehand, unless an international treaty says otherwise. You must legalize foreign public documents through the Spanish Consular Office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.^[11][12]

You must translate documents from other countries into Spanish or a co-official language. You must use a sworn translator for this.^[13]

Costs and money

You must pay the processing fee for the application. This fee must be paid within 10 business days of submitting the application.^[14][15]

Your employer must pay for your travel to Spain. They must also pay for your transport to your accommodation.^[16]

Timing

Applications must be submitted at least two months before the planned start of work.^[17]

Once the application is approved, you have one month to apply for your visa at the Spanish Consular Office. You must collect your visa in person within one month of being notified that it was granted.^[18][19][20]

After you arrive

Your employer must register you with Social Security within three days of your entry into Spain.^[21]

You must personally apply for your foreign identity card within one month of being registered with Social Security.^[22][23]

When your work authorization ends, you must return to your home country. You must present yourself at the consulate that issued your visa within one month of your authorization ending.^[24]

Checklist

• Submit the completed and signed EX-06 application form^[9]
• Provide a copy of your complete and valid passport^[10]
• Translate foreign documents into Spanish using a sworn translator^[13]
• Legalize or apostille foreign public documents^[11][12]
• Pay the processing fee within 10 business days of applying^[15][14]
• Apply for your visa within one month of approval^[18][19]
• Collect your visa in person within one month of notification^[20]
• Apply for your foreign identity card within one month of Social Security registration^[22][23]
• Report to the consulate in your home country within one month of your work ending^[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.