Spanish work permits and visas


Helping Businesses Expand Into Spain With Expert PEO Services

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Comply with Spanish visa laws and obtain the correct work permits for employees working in Spain using our expert PEO Services. 

Building your international team can be one of the most exciting aspects of your business' global expansion. However, it can also be one of the most challenging thanks the challenge of complying with international employment laws. One particular challenge can be obtaining the correct work visas and permits for your workforce. 

In Spain, visa requirements differ depending on an employee's country of origin with regulations changing based on whether employees are residents of the European Union, the European Economic Area or are other foreign nationals. Consequently, applying for work permits in Spain could differ from employee to employee which takes up a huge amount of time and resources.

Producing compliant, fair employment contracts is a vital step in establishing a thriving global team. However, this is easier said than done, especially when foreign employment laws come into play. 

As a Spanish PEO provider we have an expert team dedicated to securing the correct work permits for your expansion into Spain. Therefore, you can be assured that your new employees have the correct, compliant permit to help you establish your team in this prosperous European country. 

Read on to find out all you need to know about Spanish work visas and how our PEO services can help you navigate each step. 

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What are the types of Spanish work visa?

Firstly, it is important to note that members of the European Union and  citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland do not need a visa to live and work in Spain, regardless of the length of time they reside there. Meanwhile, citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, The UK and The US do not require a visa for the first three months of working in Spain. However, after this 90-day period they will be required to apply for a work permit.

There are numerous types of visas in Spain, however, the main two in this instance are: 

  • Residence visas with working permit exemption - TRE (More than 90 days)
  • Residence and employment work visa TRA (For seasonal work activities)

Visas can also be dependent on an employee's skillset and whether they have dependants. It is critical that the correct type of employment visa is selected as this can alter the application process and documentation required, not to mention an employee's ability to live and work in Spain. 

How do I apply for a Spanish work permit and visa?

Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Labor in Spain and must be applied for by an employer after a successful job offer before work or residency begins in Spain. Work permits are intrinsically linked to a specific job and a specific person. Once a work permit has been successfully granted, an employee may apply for a visa to live and work in Spain.

To apply for a work permit or visa, you will usually need:

  • Copy of passport
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Valid work contract
  • Criminal record check certificate
  • Medical certificate
  • Payment of visa fee 
  • NIE ID number if already in the country (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
  • Employer’s social security number

You can find more requirements and how a visa application is assessed on the Spanish government website. 

How much does a Spanish visa cost?

The cost of a Spanish work visa can differ depending on a number of factors. However, the average cost of a Spanish visa is €154.20.  As with all aspects of business growth, non-compliance in this area can result in large penalties. 

Why use a PEO partner to obtain a Spanish work permit?

It is an employer's responsibility to organise compliant, valid work permits for employees in Spain. As each individual application can differ, work permit applications require a colossal amount of resource and time dedicated to them. This is before you take into account non-compliance during your application process which can halt your business expansion and cause large penalties. On top of work permit applications, you will also need to consider payroll, tax, national insurance contributions, recruitment and employment contracts to name but a few. 

A PEO can take all of this from your shoulders, compliantly managing work permits on your behalf in addition to other employee management tasks. As such, you can focus on your expansion into the European Union's second largest country. 

If you want to find out more about how our PEO Services in Spain can support your international expansion, call our experts today on  +44 (0) 1625 537 555 or email [email protected].


What Our PEO Clients Say

"For the last few years, we have worked very closely with Simon and the team at Leap29 on a number of different projects in multiple countries across the globe. Leap29 have been a fantastic partner for us and are always willing to think with us to find the best solution. The communication with the team at Leap29 has always been excellent and Simon, in particular, is great to work with! They come highly recommended from us!"

Peter Yerardi, data.ai

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