Working in Spain as a Foreigner: All Options, Visas, and More

If you’re thinking about working in Spain as a foreigner, there are certain things you need to know. Which visa is best for your situation? What kind of jobs can I get as a foreigner in Spain? How can I apply and manage the job-finding process overseas? 

Well, in this complete guide, we’ll go into all of that and more so that you can start your work abroad journey.

What You Need to Know About Working in Spain as a Foreigner

First things first, there are a couple of aspects of Spanish culture and society that you need to be aware of before committing to the move.

Is Spain expat-friendly?

Yes, on the whole, Spain is expat-friendly. While there have been a lot of tourist protests in popular places like Barcelona, Ibiza, Mallorca, and Valencia, these are not specifically directed at expats.

This is mostly frustration at people buying up the housing in these major cities for Airbnbs, making housing unaffordable for locals. This, combined with overcrowded public transport networks, can make it difficult for locals to get to work, school, and to socialize.

Overall, Spain has a long reputation as a retiree hotspot for expats. This is due to the low cost of living, gorgeous weather, and spectacular beaches. Pre-Brexit, it was especially popular with British expats who had holiday homes here, setting themselves up for retirement.

Given that the salaries in Spain can be lower than in other parts of Europe, many young Spanish people work overseas, at least temporarily. That leaves a gulf for expats to take advantage of. In the major cities, there are huge expat communities that can help you find jobs, accommodation, and navigate the bureaucracy.  

Do I need a Social Security number to work in Spain?

You need a Social Security number to work legally in Spain. Once you’ve had your work permit approved by the authorities, the company you’re working for should register you for a Social Security number.

However, before that, you need to get an affiliation number. To do this, you have to request one from the Social Security Treasury. Once you have your Social Security number, you can access unemployment benefits, pensions, and access to Spanish public healthcare. 

Do I need health insurance to work in Spain?

Most visa applications for working in Spain as a foreigner will require you to have your own health insurance. While having health insurance isn’t a prerequisite for living or working in Spain generally, because of the public healthcare system, it is a requirement for visa applications.

Depending on which visa you need, you may not need formalized health insurance. For example, if you’re an EU citizen, you can use your EHIC card for medical coverage for up to a three-month stay. Similarly, if you’re from an EEA nation, you can use a GHIC card for the first three months.

After that, you either need to register with a Social Security number to access the public healthcare or purchase private health insurance to be covered.  

Most Common Jobs in Spain for Foreigners

If you’re looking to work in Spain as a foreigner, there are some jobs that might be more suitable than others. Of course, this depends on your existing work experience, qualifications, and Spanish proficiency levels. 

While some jobs may not explicitly require Spanish and English, it helps to have both when it’s a competitive marketplace, as well as regional languages like Basque or Catalan, if you’re moving to specific areas.

So, here are some of the most popular jobs and industries for foreigners working in Spain.

Hospitality

If you have experience working in hospitality, whether that’s bar work, restaurant work, hotel work, or cheffing, then there’s a good chance that you can get a job in Spain. There’s a huge hospitality culture in Spain, as locals and tourists alike often eat and drink outside of the home. As a result, there are plenty of places to find work.

For front-of-house roles, Spanish will be a necessary requirement. In more touristy areas, English and other languages are a huge benefit and can set you apart from the rest. Some management roles within hospitality can be quite lucrative, so if you have experience, you may be able to apply for roles at a higher level. 

Tourism

Of course, Spain is a popular country for tourists. The main cities of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville are always going to be in need of tour guides for different niches and sights, as well as tourist information help. 

If you’re personable, can speak to a crowd, and have a passion for history and culture, then this could be a great opportunity for you. There are also people who run multi-day tours across the country or in the more outdoorsy areas. These roles are intense but sought after, especially by young people, as you get to explore the country at the same time. 

Teaching

Teaching English abroad is a classic work abroad job position. ESL teachers are a cornerstone of the expat job community, and Spain has had a long history of offering high-quality packages for English teachers who want to move abroad for a few years. 

You can do this through an agency or a teaching post company that can help you find accommodation, a job, and organize the visas on your behalf. There are plenty of these organizations that you can find online, or you can opt to apply individually and source your own accommodation and visas. 

It does help to have teaching experience or a CELTA, TEFL, or TESOL qualification; however, these aren’t always necessary. You can get entry-level teaching assistant or tutoring roles just by being a native English speaker, but if you want the more high-paying and secure jobs, you’ll need some experience and/or qualifications.

International companies

Being a major European country, Spain is home to plenty of international corporations. In these kinds of companies, there are opportunities for expats as they look to communicate with customers across the globe. This can include positions like marketing, communications, sales, account management, and more. 

Check to see if the company you work for in the US has any Spanish offices. Getting a transfer inside the company is one of the easiest ways to find work overseas, and it saves the company money on training and hiring. 

Healthcare

Across the world, it seems like we always have a healthcare shortage. Whether that’s doctors and nurses or carers and social support staff, these kinds of positions are always in demand, and Spain is no exception to that. 

With industries like healthcare, where there’s a staff shortage, you can often get expedited visas to help you move quickly and more efficiently. Of course, you’ll need all the relevant qualifications and experience to work in Spanish healthcare as a foreigner.

Keep in mind that you may have to do conversion tests if you got your qualifications in certain countries, to ensure that everyone is working at the same standard.

Customer service

With the global level of sales and support, international customer service is a huge industry. As this is the case, most customer service centers and call centers require multilingual staff. There are whole English-language customer service teams for Spanish companies to assist other expats living in Spain.

While it might not be the most stimulating work in the world, there are a lot of vacancies, and many of them are remote within Spain or at least hybrid – especially if you’re managing webchat or social media customer service channels.

Getting a work visa for Spain as a foreigner

Of course, if you’re planning on working in Spain as a foreigner, you need to ensure that you have a visa. Having the correct work permit for your situation is a legal necessity, and there are plenty of options to choose from. 

Regular work permit

The most straightforward way to get a work visa for Spain as a foreigner is to get a regular work permit. This is your basic sponsored work visa. You need to find a job before you come to Spain that is willing to sponsor your visa.

Unlike other countries, you need to find a job on the shortage occupation list. This is a list of jobs that are difficult to fill with Spanish nationals or permanent residents alone. The list is updated each quarter and is split by region. Certain regions have more demand than others, and typically, the regions with larger cities, like Barcelona, aren’t featured as heavily.

Self-employed work permit

If you are self-employed or want to start your own business in Spain, you’ll need a self-employed work permit. You can’t just open up any business; it has to stimulate the Spanish economy and employ locals to be viable.

You also have to provide a business plan and show your expertise in the field. It’s pretty rare for expats to get a self-employed work permit, as the requirements can be steep. However, it is possible. You also need to apply for this visa from your home country and submit all paperwork and application forms to your local embassy or consulate.

Highly qualified working visa

If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree and you’re going to be working in a technical or managerial position within a Spanish company, you may be eligible for the highly qualified working visa. 

You must be earning at least 50,000 euros per year to be eligible for this visa. The main difference with this visa is the speed of processing. You can apply for this visa while you’re in Spain as a tourist, and you’ll receive confirmation within just 20 days. 

Entrepreneur visa

The entrepreneur visa is a more technical version of the self-employed work permit. Again, you need a detailed business plan with a start-up idea that will help bolster the Spanish economy and provide jobs for locals.

The difference here is that the business has to have a considerable technological component. The idea is to future-proof these businesses with a basis in tech. Think Silicon Valley vibes, but with a much lower cost of living. 

Again, these visas are difficult to get as the idea needs to be excellent, realistic, and in line with your skillset, experience, and budget. However, like the highly qualified working visa, you can apply for the entrepreneur visa in Spain while there on a tourist visa.

Family member of an EU citizen visa

If you’re lucky enough to be a family member of an EU citizen, you can apply for a specific residency card that lasts for five years. During this time, you’re entitled to live and work in Spain either on an employed or self-employed basis.

Of course, popular ways to become eligible for this visa are by marrying or having a civil partnership with an EU citizen. The process here is relatively straightforward, but you need to make sure that you have all the necessary documentation, and you may be subject to a follow-up interview.

Digital nomad visa

As with many other countries, in the wake of the pandemic, Spain launched its own digital nomad visa. This year-long visa can be renewed for a total of three years and serves as a path to residency after five years.

Like other digital nomad visas, there’s a minimum earning requirement. You have to earn at least €30,240 for individuals and €41,580 for couples per year. However, this can be a combination of earnings, investment, and savings.

You also cannot work completely for a Spanish company on this visa. If you’re employed, they need to be a non-Spanish company, and if you’re self-employed or freelance, you need existing contracts agreed at least three months before your application. 

Permanent residency

Once you’ve legally and continuously worked in Spain for five years, you can apply for permanent residency. There are renewals every five years, unless you opt for citizenship, but it means you can live and work in Spain without restriction. 

It means that you’re not tied to the in-demand job lists and you can start your own business without needing visa-based approvals.

Can I work on a student visa in Spain as a foreigner?

If you’re in Spain on a student visa, you can legally work up to 30 hours per week, in addition to your studies. This is to help complement your studies, allow for practical learning, and help you support yourself while living in Spain.

This is similar to many countries, and the most popular roles tend to be in hospitality, retail, tourism, or working on the side as a language tutor. Anything part-time is allowed, just keep an eye on your weekly hours if you start covering colleague vacations or sick days.

Can I work on a tourist visa?

No, legally speaking, you cannot work in Spain as a foreigner on a tourist visa. While some people with remote roles will work on holiday or check their emails abroad, technically, you shouldn’t be doing considerable amounts of work on a tourist visa.

FAQs About Working in Spain as a Foreigner

Of course, working in Spain as a foreigner definitely has its quirks. There are things you might not expect due to culture shock, and you may find a decent adjustment period. To help smooth the transition, here are a few frequently asked questions. 

What happens when I enter Spain with a work visa?

You need to book an appointment at the Foreigners’ Office or local Police Station to get your Foreigner Identification Card, or TIE. This contains your NIE, which is what you need to be able to access Social Security. 

Once you’ve booked your appointment, submit a completed EX-17 TIE application form, which can be found online, and bring the required documents on the day of your appointment. You’ll also have your fingerprints taken at this appointment. 

Do I need to speak Spanish to get a job?

While some jobs in Spain only require you to speak English, it’s immensely helpful to be able to speak Spanish. Many Spanish people are bilingual, either knowing English, French, or a regional language like Catalan or Basque. So, in a competitive job marketplace, knowing Spanish is going to be advantageous.

Also, if you’re moving to Spain, you should learn Spanish. Despite there being extensive expat communities, speaking the local language helps you to integrate and assimilate more easily, and helps when dealing with Spanish bureaucracy.

Where can I find a job in Spain?

If you’re looking for jobs in Spain, you can check LinkedIn, Indeed, and the government job website, Empleate. You can see a range of roles and set up alerts on these sites.

To keep track of your job applications abroad and hone your CV skills, add your applications to Ausland. This way, you can manage all your applications, see how far through the process you are, and have meaningful interview prep before you meet recruiters or hiring managers.

There is also an immigration section within the Ausland app that helps you find the best visas for your situation, and shows you all the information you need to know, such as visa fees, minimum income amounts, application lead times, and more.

Is it difficult to get work in Spain?

While there are some unemployment issues in Spain, if you’re qualified and have experience, there are plenty of opportunities to find work in Spain as a foreigner. Due to the growing entrepreneur visas, there are international start-ups calling Spain home.

We’d recommend looking at the shortage occupation list first. This will give you an idea of the kind of roles that are in demand. From here, you can see if your experience matches up or if you need to go away and upskill yourself before emigrating to Spain. 

Do I need to pay tax in Spain and at home?

Yes, if you’re working in Spain, you need to pay tax locally. You have to pay your taxes through self-assessment, the same way you do in the US. Income tax is on a sliding scale from 19% to 47%, depending on your salary.

If you’re a US citizen, you’ll have to pay taxes to the IRS as well. The deadlines for overseas and expat taxes are different from those within the US, so make a note of them each year, or use services like MyExpatTaxes.

What are the salaries like in Spain?

Salaries in Spain are some of the lowest in Western Europe. However, this does reflect the lower cost of living compared to nations like France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The average salary in Spain is around €27,000, which equates to €2,250 gross per month, or €1,785 after taxes.

The minimum wage in Spain is €8.87 per hour, which on a full-time, 40-hour work week, equates to €1,323 per month.

However, it’s important to compare this to the average monthly costs. For a single person living on a budget, the monthly outgoings, including rent, bills, groceries, insurance, social activities, and public transport, equate to €1,100 per month. The same single person with a “moderate budget” is likely to spend €1,750 per month.

What are the working hours like in Spain?

The average working week is the 40-hour week. To account for lunch and siesta culture, this is split into a morning shift of 9 am to 2 pm and then an evening shift from 5 pm to 8 pm. Some businesses are reducing the lunch split to finish earlier. However, the legal maximum of hours you can work in Spain is 48 hours per week.