How to Get a Work Permit in Spain

In Spain, a work permit is needed from anyone who is a not a European citizen and wants to work in Spain. It can be difficult to obtain a work permit in Spain because it depends on the unemployment rate that Spain has at the time of application. When the unemployment is low, Spain is willing to offer more work permits. When the unemployment is high, Spain makes it difficult to obtain a work permit. Obtaining a Spain work permit takes a couple of months.

Instructions

1. Obtain a written job offer from an employer in Spain. An offer is required to process the necessary paperwork.

2. Submit all the necessary documents and paperwork to the Subdelegacion del Gobierno agency in the city of future employment. These documents included three passport photos, a copy of your passport, your original passport, degree transcripts or certifications that can prove that you are qualified for the job offer. Your employer must sign and stamp the official application form (EX-1) and the official job offer form (EX-5). Your employer must provide the company fiscal identity document (CIF), the official social security inscription document, proof that the company has paid all its taxes and social security payments, proof that the job had been advertised in the Provincial Unemployment Office and that no European candidate was suitable and a document describing the reasons why a non-European citizen should work for the company.

3. Make an appointment with Spanish Consulate nearest your hometown. You must provide all the documents that were provided to the Subdelegacion del Gobierno, but they also must be stamped by the Subhelegacion del Gobierno. Obtain your criminal record from a police station and take it to the appointment. It can take up to four months for the Spanish Consulate to process the information and make a decision to approve or deny a work permit.

4. Travel to Spain and finalize the work contract with your employer once you have received your work permit.

References

• Spain Expat: Work Visa for Spain
• DIY Expat: Spain