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Employee work permit and residence authorization

Everything you need to know about the employed worker visa for Spain: requirements for employers and workers, documents, process, and realistic timelines. Updated 2026.

Salario mínimo As per applicable collective bargaining agreement
Duración inicial 1 year (renewable)
Tiempo resolución 1–3 months
¿Permite trabajar? ✓ Sí
¿Con familia? ✓ Sí
Tasa 2026 Form 790 code 052: €38.28 (worker) + employer fee depending on type

💡 The employer initiates the application, not the worker. The employer must be up to date with tax and social security obligations.

Proceso paso a paso

The employer in Spain applies for the work authorization. Once granted, the worker collects the visa at the Spanish consulate in their home country.

1
Employer submits the authorization application
The employer files the application with the Government Delegation or Sub-delegation in the province where the work will take place. The application must address the national employment situation (catalogue of hard-to-fill occupations) or provide an alternative justification.
2
Decision on the authorization
The Government Delegation issues a decision. Administrative silence is NEGATIVE (no response is treated as a denial). The national employment situation is assessed as part of the process.
3
Notification to the worker
If approved, both the employer and the worker are notified. The worker has 1 month to apply for the visa at the consulate.
4
Visa application at the consulate
The worker attends the Spanish consulate in their country with the approval notice, passport, criminal record certificate, and medical certificate.
5
Entry into Spain, social security registration, and TIE application
The worker enters Spain, the employer registers them with Social Security within 3 months, and the worker applies for their Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within 1 month of entry.
Publicidad

Errores que llevan a la denegación

⚠️ The employer is not up to date with tax or social security payments

Consecuencia: Automatic denial of the authorization

Solución: Before starting the process, verify that the employer holds valid compliance certificates from the AEAT and TGSS

⚠️ The position is not listed in the catalogue of hard-to-fill occupations and no alternative justification is provided

Consecuencia: Denial on the grounds that national or EU workers are available

Solución: Check the SEPE's quarterly catalogue of hard-to-fill occupations. If the position is not listed, the employer must advertise the vacancy through the SEPE for 15–25 days and demonstrate that no suitable candidates were found.

⚠️ The employment contract does not meet the conditions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement

Consecuencia: Denial or request for correction

Solución: Review the sectoral collective bargaining agreement and ensure that the salary, working hours, and job classification are all correct

⚠️ The worker attempts to apply directly without employer involvement

Consecuencia: Application rejected as inadmissible

Solución: The employer must initiate the process. The worker only becomes involved at the visa application stage at the consulate.

⚠️ Failing to apply for the visa at the consulate within one month of receiving the approval notice

Consecuencia: The granted authorization lapses

Solución: Book a consulate appointment immediately upon receiving the approval notice

Renovación

Duración renovación: 2 años

Plazo solicitud: 60 días antes de la expiración (se puede presentar hasta 90 días después, pero con sanción)

Requisitos:

  • Mantener la relación laboral o tener un nuevo contrato
  • Haber cotizado a la Seguridad Social un mínimo de 6 meses del año autorizado
  • Empresa al corriente con Hacienda y Seguridad Social

Tras la primera renovación (2 años), la siguiente es de 2 años más. A los 5 años de residencia legal continuada se puede solicitar residencia de larga duración.

Fuentes oficiales

🔗 Ley Orgánica 4/2000 de derechos y libertades de los extranjeros → 🔗 Reglamento LOEX - RD 557/2011 → 🔗 Catálogo de ocupaciones de difícil cobertura (SEPE) → 🔗 Ministerio de Inclusión, SS y Migraciones → 🔗 Sede electrónica Policía Nacional - Cita TIE →

Última actualización: 2026-04-15

ℹ️ La información de esta web es orientativa y de carácter general. No constituye asesoramiento jurídico. Para tu caso concreto, consulta con un abogado especializado en extranjería o con la oficina oficial correspondiente. Emigra España nunca aconseja actuar fuera de la legalidad.