06/16/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2022 02:32
This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.
This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Spain's immigration authorities or consulate.
Entry requirements
If you're going to Spain to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
If you're travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some work-related things without needing a visa or work permit, such as attending business meetings.
These are usually covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
If you're going for certain types of work you may need a visa, work permit or residence permit.
Spain's authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. It decides which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with the Spanish government before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.
If you're working in more than one country you will need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Spain. It includes a checklist of documents that you'll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Spain's immigration authorities or consulate.
You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.
This guide uses the same terms used in Spain, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Spain's authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
You can travel to Spain for the following reasons without a visa or permit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period:
You must not receive any payment for these activities from a Spanish company or it could be classed as work.
These activities are covered by the visa waiver.
Border checks
At the border, you may be asked to show:
Check Spain's exemptions
Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they're exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country's authorities.
EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) permits from other countries
You do not require a visa or permit in Spain for up to 90 days in a 180-day period if you have an EU ICT permit from another country. Your employer needs to notify Spain's immigration authorities.
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:
You need to follow the Schengen visa waiver rules.
Working in the audiovisual sector
You do not need a visa or permit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, if you're an artist, technician or a professional:
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:
If you have a family they can join you as dependants under this exemption, this includes your:
If a minor is participating in an artistic activity, Spanish labour law requirements must be considered.
If you need to stay for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you may need to apply for a long-term visa or a residence permit for the audiovisual sector. You should check with the Spanish authorities on the best option for you.
Find out more about the new procedure for the audiovisual sector.
Exempt work that requires a visa
The following do not need a work permit in Spain but will require a visa:
The type of visa you need depends on the length of time you're carrying out the work. You need to apply for a:
If you're staying for longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a residence card once in Spain.
Further checks
If you're not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from the Spanish embassy.
Applying for a visa or permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit, but you'll need to check the exact rules and processes with the Spanish authorities or embassy.
Taking your family
If you have a family they may be able to join you as dependants. It depends on the type of work permit you have.
Visas and permits
You must apply for a visa if you're travelling to Spain because you're:
You must apply for a visa, work permit and residence permit if you're travelling to Spain, even for a short period of time, because you're:
Short-term visa for exempt work
You need a C-type EET visa if you're carrying out permit-exempt work for up to 90 days. You must follow the Schengen 90-day in a 180-day period rule when travelling on this visa.
The C-type EET visa takes approximately 15 to 45 days to get. It's valid for 90 days in a 180-day period and you can't extend it.
If you have a family they may be able to join you as visitors under the Schengen visa waiver.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You book an appointment at Spain's consulate in the UK and submit a C-type EET visa application.
Spain's consulate will review your application and issue you with a visa if you meet the exemption conditions.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Additional documents for your type of work
You may have to show accreditations or authorisations issued by the Spanish authorities, or other documentation, showing you're carrying out exempt work.
What you need to show will depend on your type of work:
Religious ministers and members of the church:
Long-term visa for exempt work
You need a D-type visa if you're carrying out permit-exempt work for more than 90 days.
The D-type visa takes approximately 15 to 45 days to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can renew it for up to 5 years.
If you have a family they may be able to join you as dependants under the Schengen visa waiver.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You book an appointment at Spain's consulate in the UK and submit a D-type visa application and temporary residence permit form.
Spain's consulate will review your application and issue you with a visa if you meet the exemption conditions.
You register with your local city hall in Spain.
Your employer registers you with Spain's social security, if applicable.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
If you're an artist you need to provide:
Transferring to the Spanish branch of a UK-based company
You need one of these work and residence permits if you're transferring to a branch in Spain:
EU intra company transfer (EU ICT)
You need an intra-company transfer work and residence permit (EU ICT) if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Spain to work for:
To qualify you must:
This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years if you're a manager or specialist or 1 year if you're a trainee. You can extend it for an extra year if you're a manager or specialist.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer submits your ICT permit application online to the immigration office.
Once approved, you book an appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy in the UK and submit a D Visa application.
You register with the local city hall when you get to Spain, if applicable.
Your employer registers you with Spanish social security, if applicable.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain, if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
National intra company transfer (ICT)
To qualify for an ICT work and residence permit you must:
This ICT takes 4 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it for up to 2 more. After 5 years' legal residence you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Spain.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
The Spanish company submits your National ICT permit application to the immigration office.
Once approved, you book an appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy and submit a D visa application
You register with the local city hall when you get to Spain.
Your employer registers you with Spanish social security.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain, if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working for a Spanish company on a Spanish employment contract
You need one of these long-term work permits if you have an offer of employment with a company in Spain:
EU Blue Card
If you're highly skilled and plan to work for a Spanish company for at least 1 year you can apply for an EU Blue Card.
The role offered must be from professional group 1 or 2 of the National Classification of Occupations (CNO).
To qualify you must:
This EU Blue Card takes 4 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it for 2 years at a time. After 5 years' legal residence you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer completes a labour market test (not required for large companies, or if exception applies - check with the Spanish authorities.
Your employer submits an EU Blue Card application (form EX05) to the immigration office.
Once approved, you book an appointment with the Spanish consulate or embassy and submit a D visa application.
You submit a 'statement of entry' to the local police if you do not get an entry stamp at the border.
You register with the local city hall when you get to Spain.
You register with Spanish social security.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain, if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Work permit for highly qualified specialists
To qualify for a highly qualified specialist permit you must:
You will also need to have either:
The Spanish company must either:
This permit takes 3 to 6 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. After 5 years' legal residence, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Spain.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer submits your work permit application online to the immigration office.
Once approved, you book an appointment with the Spanish consulate or embassy and submit a D visa application.
You register with the local city hall when you get to Spain.
Your employer registers you with Spanish social security.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain, if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Temporary work and residence permit
You can apply for a temporary work and residence permit if you have specific knowledge, skills or experience.
To qualify you must:
The temporary work and residence permit takes 3 to 4 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants after you've been in Spain for 1 year.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer completes a labour market test (not required for large companies, or if exception applies - check with the Spanish authorities.
Your employer submits your work permit application (form EX03) to the immigration office.
Once approved, you book an appointment with the Spanish consulate or embassy and submit a D visa application.
You submit a 'statement of entry' to the local police if you do not get an entry stamp at the border.
You register with the local city hall when you get to Spain.
Your employer registers you with Spanish social security.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain, if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Providing services to a client in Spain
If your UK employer sends you to work on an assignment or secondment to Spain you'll need an ICT work and residence permit for the provision of transnational services.
You may also be able to use the EU ICT or national ICT, but you should check with the Spanish authorities before applying.
There are separate permits for providing audiovisual services.
ICT work and residence permit for the provision of transnational services
To qualify for an ICT work and residence permit for the provision of transnational services (cross-border services) you must:
This permit takes 3 to 9 months to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it for up to 2 years.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants if the Spanish company (client) is a large company.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
The Spanish company submits your work and residence permit application (form EX08) online to the immigration office.
Once approved you book an appointment and submit a D visa application with the Spanish consulate or embassy.
You submit a 'statement of entry' to the local police if you do not get an entry stamp at the border.
You register with the local city hall when you get to Spain.
Your employer registers you with Spanish social security.
You submit a residence card application at the immigration office in Spain, if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Self-employed work
To qualify for a self-employed work permit you must:
This permit takes 6 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it for up to 5 years.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants after you've had 1 year of legal residence in Spain.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You:
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Founding or investing in a company in Spain
If you want to invest in a Spanish company or start a company in Spain you need a residency visa for entrepreneurs and business activity (REM) (work permit).
To qualify:
This permit takes 1 to 2 months to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it for another 2.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Spanish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You:
Application documents
Spanish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Spanish government guidance
Read official Spanish government information on:
Check for travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check general travel advice for Spain, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.