Who needs a work permit in Spain
Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can work in Spain without prior authorisation. This is the free movement of persons: only the EU citizen registration at the foreigners' office is processed if the stay exceeds three months.
Other nationalities need a residence and work authorisation, which is granted by the Spanish administration and is normally applied for by the company itself. Working without it is a serious infringement of the immigration regime, with fines and possible expulsion, and the company that hires without checking the authorisation is exposed to similar penalties.
Types of work authorisation
The authorisation is granted for employment or self-employment. The former is linked to an employment contract with a Spanish company; the latter allows carrying out a professional or business activity as a self-employed person.
Since 2025 the reformed Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024) applies, which unifies the previous initial authorisation model with the active job search model: the initial authorisation already allows working and seeking employment, and if the contract ends, it is maintained while another is sought.
There are also specific routes for qualified profiles: the EU Blue Card, for higher graduates with a sufficient salary offer, and the international teleworker visa (digital nomad), which allows residing in Spain while working for a foreign company. Both are processed as a visa in the country of origin and become an authorisation upon arrival.
General requirements and salary
The basic requirements are: not being irregularly in Spanish territory, having no criminal record in Spain and in previous countries of residence, not being listed as rejected in the return system, and having a contract or project that guarantees sufficient means.
The salary offered must be sufficient to support the worker. As a reference, the 2026 minimum wage (SMI) in Spain is €1,221 per month in 14 payments, €17,094 per year, according to Royal Decree 126/2026. A contract below that reference is not approved.
Timelines and renewal
Initial authorisation applications are resolved within a maximum of three months; if no response is received, they are deemed approved by positive administrative silence. During the process the worker must be in their country of origin if the visa is processed at the consulate, except in exceptions (family reunification, relatives of residents).
The initial authorisation is granted for one year. Renewals, which no longer depend on a single employer, are for four years provided the requirements for contributions and continuous work are met. After the first renewal, the permit is consolidated and permanent residence comes at five years.
Hiring a foreigner from your company
If your Spanish SL wants to hire a non-EU national, the usual procedure is to submit the authorisation application with the signed contract and prove that the company is up to date with its tax and Social Security obligations.
For highly qualified profiles, the EU Blue Card is the fastest route, with qualification and salary requirements but without the national employment situation test. For self-employed activities, the business plan must demonstrate viability and sufficient investment.
If the worker already resides in Spain legally (for example with a student visa), they can change their status and apply for a work authorisation without leaving the country. It is the most convenient route and the one most used to bring in talent trained here.
