If you want to work as an employee in Madrid, you must secure a work visa before arrival. This guide explains how to apply for a Spanish work visa. It covers the requirements and the steps your employer must take.
What is a Spanish work visa?
The Spanish work visa for employees is the visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena (work visa for employed workers). It is designed for non-EU citizens who have a job offer from a Spanish company.
The employment conditions must comply with the Spanish Estatuto de los Trabajadores (Workers’ Statute). This compliance ensures you receive the same labor protections and legal minimum wages as local Spanish workers.
You cannot apply for this visa independently while inside Spain as a tourist. The application process must start in Spain, initiated by your employer.
Stage 1: The employer’s application in Spain
Your future employer must obtain authorization to hire you before you can apply for the visa. The employer submits this request to the provincial Oficina de Extranjería (immigration office).
The national employment situation test
Spanish labor law protects the local job market. Employers must usually prove that no Spanish or EU citizen could fill the position.
This verification is called the situación nacional de empleo (national employment situation) test. The employer must advertise the job on the public employment portal for at least 15 days.
If no qualified local candidates apply, the employment service issues a certificate. The employer uses this certificate to justify hiring a foreigner.
Exceptions to the local job market test
Your employer does not need to pass the market test in these specific situations:
- The job is listed on the official catálogo de ocupaciones de difícil cobertura (catalog of hard-to-fill occupations). This catalog usually includes specialized maritime and athletic roles.
- You are a highly qualified professional. These applications are processed under a separate, faster law.
- You are a child or spouse of a legal resident in Spain.
Once the immigration office approves the employer’s application, they issue a residence and work authorization. The employer must send this approval letter to you.
Stage 2: The visa application at the consulate
After the authorization is approved in Spain, you have 1 month to apply for the visa. You must submit your application at the Spanish consulate in your home country.
You must book an appointment at the consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
Required document checklist
You must bring these documents to your consular visa appointment:
- Visa application form : The completed and signed national visa application form.
- Passport : Your original passport with at least 12 months of validity and two blank pages.
- Residency approval letter : The copy of the authorization letter issued to your employer in Spain.
- Job contract : The employment contract signed by you and your employer, stamped by the immigration office.
- Criminal record certificate : The official certificado de antecedentes penales (criminal record certificate). You need this from countries where you lived in the last 5 years.
- Medical certificate : A signed certificado médico (medical certificate) showing you do not carry major infectious diseases.
- Visa fee receipt : Proof of payment of the consular visa fee.
Legalization and translation of documents
All official foreign documents must be legalized. For countries in the Hague Convention, you must obtain an Apostille stamp on the documents.
You must also hire a certified sworn translator to translate all non-Spanish documents. The translations must be submitted along with the original documents.
How Madrid’s immigration office (ExtranjerÃÂa) works
Steps after arriving in Spain
The consulate will paste the visado (visa) into your passport. This visa is usually valid for 90 days.
You must travel to Spain within the validity period of your visa. Once you arrive in Madrid, you must complete two final administrative steps:
1. Register with social security
Your employer must register you with the Spanish Seguridad Social (social security) system before you start working.
This registration must occur within the first month of your arrival. Once registered, your employment contract becomes active, and you start paying taxes.
2. Apply for your physical TIE card
You must apply for your physical residency card within 30 days of registering with social security.
This card is the tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (foreigner identity card, or TIE). You must book a fingerprinting appointment at a local police station to request the card.
How to Apply for a Spanish Residence Permit (TIE)
If your visa application is rejected
The consulate can reject your visa application. Common reasons for rejection include incomplete documentation, criminal records, or employers failing tax audits.
You will receive a formal notification letter explaining the decision.
How to appeal the decision
You have the right to appeal the rejection. You can submit an appeal to the same consulate within 1 month of receiving the rejection letter.
Alternatively, you can file a judicial appeal in court in Madrid. You must file this judicial appeal within 2 months of the notification.
It is highly recommended to hire an immigration lawyer to handle your appeal.
Questions and answers
Can I change employers on a work visa?
No, not initially. Your initial work authorization is linked to your specific employer and industry sector. You can apply to change employers after completing your first year of work.
How long does the work visa process take?
Usually three to six months. The employer’s initial application in Spain takes between one and three months. The consular visa application takes another one to two months.
Can my family join me on a work visa?
Yes. You can apply for family reunification visas for your spouse and dependent children. You must prove you have sufficient financial resources and adequate housing.
What is the visa fee for a Spanish work visa?
It varies by nationality. The standard visa fee is €80 for most citizens. However, citizens of countries like the United States or Canada pay higher fees due to reciprocity rules.
Can I look for a job while in Spain on a tourist visa?
Yes, but you must leave to get the visa. You can attend job interviews in Spain. However, you must return to your home country to submit the consular visa application.
