Spain work permit for employees from outside the EU/EEA 2026

This is the standard route into paid employment in Spain for a person who is not a citizen of the European Union or the European Economic Area. It is managed by the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and combines permission to reside and to work in a single authorisation tied to a specific employer and job.

The employer applies on the worker's behalf and must be registered with Social Security and up to date with its tax and social security obligations, with enough financial means to meet the wages it has offered. The job itself must either appear on the official quarterly list of hard-to-fill occupations, or the employer must show that no suitable candidate could be found through the national employment service after posting the vacancy. The worker needs a signed employment contract guaranteeing continuous work for the length of the permit, and must hold the training or professional qualification the role legally requires. General conditions also apply: no criminal record in Spain or in the countries of recent residence, and no risk to public order, safety or health.

Once the authorisation is granted, the worker has one month to apply in person for the entry visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate for their place of residence, then three months to enter Spain and register with Social Security once working, followed by an application for the foreigner identity card at the local police station.

Applications can be submitted at any time once an employer in Spain is ready to sponsor the position.