General Information: Residence and Work Visas in Spain
Residence and work visas authorize a person to reside and work in Spain. There are different types of residence and work visas:
Employed Residence and Work Visa
This permits the holder (over 16 years of age) to reside temporarily in Spain (for a period of more than 90 days) and to engage in a gainful, work-related, or professional activity as an employee. The employer must have previously obtained a residence and work permit from the competent Government Delegation/Subdelegation or, where applicable, from the competent regional authority.
Residence and Work Visa for Research
This visa authorizes the holder to reside temporarily in Spain (for a period of more than 90 days) and to conduct research projects, within the framework of a hosting agreement signed with a research organization (a natural person or legal entity, public or private, with a main or secondary establishment located in Spain, that carries out research and technological development activities and has been authorized to sign hosting agreements). The research organization that has signed a hosting agreement with a non-resident foreigner in Spain must have previously obtained a residence and work permit for research from the competent Government Delegation/Subdelegation or, where applicable, from the competent regional body.
Residence and work visa for highly qualified professionals holding an EU Blue Card
This permits the holder to reside temporarily in Spain (for a period of more than 90 days) and to perform a work activity requiring a higher education qualification or, exceptionally, a minimum of five years of professional experience comparable to that qualification, related to the activity for which the authorization is granted. The employer must have previously obtained an initial temporary residence and work authorization from the competent Government Delegation/Subdelegation or, where applicable, from the competent regional body. A residence and work visa will not be required in cases of exercising the right to mobility after having held one of these authorizations in another European Union Member State.
Residence and Self-Employment Visa
Authors the holder (over 18 years of age) to reside temporarily in Spain (for a period of more than 90 days) and to engage in a gainful, labor, or professional activity as a self-employed person.
Residence and Work Visa for the Transnational Provision of Services
Authors the holder (over 16 years of age) to reside temporarily in Spain (for a period of more than 90 days) and to engage in a gainful, labor, or professional activity as a self-employed person.
Residence and Work Visa for the Transnational Provision of Services to a Company established in a State not belonging to the European Union or the European Economic Area (see requirements).
Residence Visa with Work Authorization Exception
Authors the holder (over 16 years of age) to reside temporarily in Spain and to engage in an activity with the exception of a work authorization requirement (see possible beneficiaries in the requirements: researchers, teachers, artists, religious figures, etc.). The applicant does not need an initial temporary residence and work permit to obtain this visa.
