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Everything you need to know to work in Spain with a student visa

There are several work options open to foreigners on a student visa in Spain

Every year, students from all around the globe choose Spain as the destination to further their education, be it to obtain a full degree, masters or PhD. But schooling can be expensive, especially when relocating to another country to do so, and many foreign students would jump at the opportunity to earn a few extra euros with a part-time job while hitting the books.

So, can I work while studying in Spain?

The good news is that yes, foreigners enrolled in formal education in Spain can work to supplement their income, but like all things Spanish, there are a few hoops to jump through. Spanish immigration law does indeed allow non-national students work at the evenings and weekends, or at times when they don’t have classes, provided they have the correct permission to do so.

Foreigners on a student visa have two distinct options for gaining employment while in university: on the visa itself, providing certain conditions are met, and through curricular and extracurricular internships.

Option 1: part-time work through student visas

Newer student visas automatically entitle pupils to work, but if your pass was granted before August 16 of 2022, you’ll need to apply for special permission, which is only compatible with certain disciplines.

To qualify for work under an existing student permit, Spanish law stipulates that:

The job cannot be the student’s main source of income. In other words, students must already have independent means to support themselves while at college in Spain, and will be required to show proof that they can afford their rent, university costs, living expenses etc.
In this way, while there’s no set amount a person can earn through a part-time job, the salary should be limited and any time worked won’t count towards a visa renewal or citizenship application.
How much your employer chooses to pay you is, of course, up to them, but you cannot work full-time on your student card – the law allows a maximum of 30 hours per week.

Option 2: Internships

If you applied for the student visa after the new immigration law came into affect, you’re free to follow option 1 above to gain employment whilst studying in Spain. Things are a little more complicated for existing visa holders, and while it’s still entirely possible to secure a part-time job, you’ll need to apply for through the compatibility of work and studies.

People who secured a student visa prior to August 16, 2022 will have to meet the following requirements to be allowed to work:

Accredited qualifications that prove they can carry out the professional activity – this can simply be a high school diploma or a college undergraduate degree.
The company that wants to hire you must be registered with the Spanish Social Security, be up to date with all of its payments to the Tax Agency and able to show that it has the required financial means to employ you.
Students and employers will need to sign a work contract.
Finally, an EX-12 form will need to be completed and submitted to the authorities, along with a copy of your passport.

Working for yourself while studying in Spain

It may be surprising, but Spain is always looking for entrepreneurial individuals and this stretches to students. Foreign pupils can register as self-employed (autónomo) once they:

Present a comprehensive business plan to the authorities which must prove financial viability

Important points to note for foreign students who want to work in Spain

It is vital that the correct steps are followed and remember, authorisation to work while you’ll studying isn’t automatic or guaranteed.
It is the prospective employer, not the student, who must submit the application to the immigration office.
All applications for student work visas should be made in the province where the pupil will be employed and not where they are studying.
A fee is payable at the time of application and students are not permitted to work until formal authorisation has been given.

Moving from a student visa to a work permit

As we mentioned above, hours worked as a student don’t count towards citizenship or visa renewals, but there are ways for part-time students to obtain permanent professional contracts in Spain. If you are looking for a job, your first stop should be WorkinSpain, whose dedicated experts will guide you through the process and help find your ideal business match.

Students who have worked for at least a year in in-demand industries who are classed as highly-qualified will be able to transfer over to a work permit. To qualify, you must be employed as a senior manager or in a technical position and command a salary of at least 40,000 euros per year.
After spending a minimum of one year in Spain, students can switch to a job-search visa, a non-lucrative residence permit that lasts for another 12 months while the person is searching for paid work.
Finally, pupils who moved to Spain for education can qualify for a work permit once they complete their studies, regardless of the length of the qualification. Those student who wish to become self-employed will still, however, have to present a viable business plan.

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Murcia and Alicante company WorkinSpain connects employers and candidates

WorkinSpain was established as a platform to make it easy for employers and jobseekers to connect and find the right fit for them, whether they’re looking for a new job or need the perfect candidate to work in their company.

Founded by Heniam & Associates, WorkinSpain has recognised that there is a definite need to assist employers in finding the perfect employee.

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