Preparation is key to landing in a new country and picking up work, whether in your profession or as a short-term option. Here’s the low down getting to work.

Wading your way through the paperwork to find work

EU residents do not need a work permit (permiso de trabajo) to work in Spain. Non-EU nationals do, however, whether an employee or self-employed in Spain. The permit will initially be valid for one year and then is renewable for a period of up to five years.

EU nationals

EU nationals can enter Spain as a tourist and register with the Spanish national employment office (Instituto Nacional de Empleo - INEM) to look for a job. You then have 90 days to find employment - you can obtain an extension after that date or leave Spain and re-enter for a further 90 days.

Once you get a job, you will need your employment contract if you want to apply for a residence card.

Non-EU nationals

Before coming to Spain, non-EU nationals must obtain a visa (visado) from the Spanish consulate in their home country to work, study or live in Spain.

Once in Spain, you must apply for a work permit at the provincial office of the Ministry of Labour (Delegación Provincial del Ministerio de Trabajo) or at your local Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjero - see list under 'Residence Cards' in this guide). If you already have a prospective employer, they will probably deal with all of this process. Then the provincial labour offices (Direcciones Provinciales de Trabajo, Seguridad Social y Asuntos Sociales) will decide whether to issue the work permit.

Any job must be advertised to EU citizens through the INEM before a non-EU citizen can be offered the post and a work permit will only be granted if it can be demonstrated that no unemployed EU national is available for the position.

Looking for a job starts here

Priority is then given to non-EU nationals who are married or closely related to a Spaniard, who previously held Spanish nationality, or who come from Latin America, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal. Jews of Spanish origin, the family of a work permit holder, and anyone who was born in Spain, is living legally in Spain or has been resident here for five years is also given priority.

Non-EU students in Spain require a temporary work permit, available from INEM offices (www.inem.es). The type of work permit you apply depends upon the job, whether it is a permanent or temporary position, and the region within which you are planning to work.

Types of work permit

Employees
Type A: for seasonal or temporary work, valid for nine months and not renewable.
 
Type B: it enables the foreigner to work in a specific profession, activity and geographic area, valid for one year and renewable.

Type C: issued after the B permit has already been renewed and has expired. A C permit is unrestricted, allowing the foreign employee to work in any job anywhere in Spain. Valid for three years and renewable or can become a Permanent work permit.

Self-Employed (autónomo)
Type D: for self-employed people in a specific field of work and location.
Valid for one year and renewable for two years.

Type E: issued after the renewed D permit has expired, this entitles the foreign worker to operate in any profession, including self-employment, anywhere in Spain. Valid for three years and renewable - or worker may be issued with Permanent work permit.

Self-employed non-EU nationals must show they are investing about €120,000 in Spain to start a business or that their professional activity will produce a profit and benefit to Spain, for example by employing Spanish (or European Union) workers.

Either employed or self-employed
Type F: for workers who cross over the Spanish border every day from their usual country of residence. Valid for five years and renewable.

Essential work permit documents

Employees

•Passport
•Medical certificate
•Certificate of criminal records issued by the authorities of your home country, except when it was presented upon application for the visa
•Three passport-size photographs
•Fiscal registration number (NIE or CIF) and the Social Security registration number of the employer
•Offer of employment containing labour conditions
•Full description of the job and the company's activity
•Proof of the employer's solvency could also be required

Self-employed

•Copy of your valid passport
•Certificate of criminal records issued by the authorities of your home country, except when it was presented upon application for the visa
•Official medical certificate
•Three passport-size photographs
•Full description of the job and the company's activity
•Proof of professional qualifications or licences if applicable, or registration to the Spanish Social Security system, or your NIE.

[Copyright Expatica]

[October 2005]

Subject: Spain; Work permits