A job search visa in Spain gives foreigners up to 12 months to stay legally, look for jobs or start their own business. Learn about the main benefits of the visa, popular sectors and cities for employment, practical tips for finding a job and the procedure for converting your visa after receiving an offer

Are you a citizen of a non-EU country and dream of building a professional career in Spain? The job search visa is the ideal permit that helps foreigners become part of the Spanish labor market. Read about the features of the permit, the options for finding a job and what happens after receiving an offer in this article.

What is a visa for job seekers in Spain?

The Spanish job search visa is a special type of national visa that allows citizens of countries outside the European Union to stay in Spain for up to 12 months to look for a job or start their own business. In case of successful employment or registration of a business, the visa can be converted into a residence and work permit.

Read more about the Spanish job search visa in this article.

Advantages of the Spanish job search visa

This residence permit opens up a number of important opportunities for foreign graduates who want to start a career in Spain:

- An additional year in the country. You get another 12 months of legal residence without the requirement to make a large investment. This is time to calmly navigate the labor market and look for a suitable job.

- The opportunity to stay with your family. If your spouse or children accompanied you during your studies, they can also extend their stay in Spain. Their status is directly linked to yours, so the family does not have to separate.

- Convenient application procedure. The application is completed online, which significantly reduces the number of bureaucratic steps and makes the process accessible to applicants.

- Fast processing. Decisions are made in a short time - usually no longer than 20 days after submitting the documents.

Can you work with a visa to find a job in Spain?

No, this visa does not give you the right to official employment. It is designed as a transitional mechanism: you get time to find an employer or prepare to open your own business.

As soon as a job offer appears, you need to start the procedure for changing your status – converting your job search visa into a work permit (employee or self-employed).

Thus, this document does not allow you to work immediately, but it provides legal residence in Spain while you look for a suitable opportunity.

How to find a job in Spain: sectors with high demand and cities with the most job opportunities

For successful employment in Spain, it is important to pay attention to sectors with high demand and cities with the most job opportunities

Sectors with high demand in Spain

When looking for a job, you should pay attention to the industries with the most vacancies:

- Customer service. In Madrid and Barcelona, ​​international companies are actively looking for English-speaking specialists, particularly in the e-commerce and technology sectors.

- Technology. Software developers, data analysts and IT specialists are in stable demand in the country's technology hubs.

- Tourism and hospitality. Hotels, restaurants and travel agencies need thousands of workers every year due to the constant flow of visitors.

- Healthcare. Nurses, carers and other professionals are needed in both public and private institutions.

- Education. Teaching English and working in private schools or universities (including administrative positions) remain relevant directions for foreigners.

Cities with the greatest job opportunities in Spain

- Madrid. The headquarters of many international companies and government agencies are concentrated here.

- Barcelona. One of the main European centers for startups, design and high technology.

- Valencia and Seville. High demand for workers in the tourism and customer service sectors.

- Malaga and Alicante. The regions attract remote workers and are becoming locations for new offices of international companies.

Where to look for a job in Spain?

InfoJobs

One of the most popular job search portals in Spain. Covers all sectors - from tourism and customer service to IT. Contains vacancies from both local and international employers.

LinkedIn

Great for professional networking and applying for mid- to senior-level positions. Many recruiters in Spain use LinkedIn to directly contact candidates.

Indeed Spain

Aggregates vacancies from corporate websites and recruitment agencies. Offers a wide range of opportunities - from entry-level to remote work.

EURES (European Job Mobility Portal)

The best option for EU/EEA citizens looking for a job in Spain. The portal also publishes vacancies that involve mobility throughout Europe.

Expatica Jobs Spain

Focuses on employment of foreigners and English-speaking candidates. Especially useful for finding jobs in tourism, education and customer service.

Tecnoempleo

A specialized platform for finding vacancies in software, engineering and IT careers.

Practical tips for finding a job in Spain

- Adapt your CV to Spanish standards. CVs should usually be concise (1-2 pages), with an emphasis on work experience and skills. Include a professional photo - this is often expected in Spain.

- A cover letter is important. Even if it is not required, a short letter in Spanish will increase your chances.

- Language is the key to success. English opens doors to international companies, but knowledge of Spanish (at level B1 and above) significantly expands opportunities.

- Use specialized platforms. For IT professionals - Tecnoempleo, for foreigners - Expatica Jobs Spain, for a broad search - InfoJobs and LinkedIn.

- Don't ignore networking. In Spain, personal contact is very important: attend career fairs, professional meetings, use LinkedIn to meet people.

- Be prepared for interviews in Spanish. Even in international companies, you may be tested for basic language skills.

- Consider internships or short-term contracts. This is a good way for citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines and other countries to gain first-hand experience and establish contacts, which will make it easier to find permanent employment later.

What to do after you find a job? Converting a job search visa

As we mentioned, a job search visa in Spain gives you 12 months to look for a job. But what to do when you have received the long-awaited offer?

Essentially, you will need to convert your job search visa into a residence and work permit. There are two main options, depending on whether you are working for a company or if you plan to work independently.

Work permit for self-employed individuals

Also known as “permiso de trabajo por cuenta propia”. There are two options:

- Entrepreneur visa: If your project is innovative or technologically advanced, you can apply for a special visa for entrepreneurs.

- Standard work permit for self-employed individuals: If your project does not fall under the innovative category, you will need to apply for a regular self-employed permit. This usually involves submitting a business plan and financial projections.

Work permit for employees

Known as “permiso de trabajo por cuenta ajena”. The first step is to receive a formal job offer from a company. It is important that the position matches your education and skills. Main options:

- Regular work permit: This is the most common option, regulated by the General Immigration Act. The key factor here is the national unemployment situation: if a Spanish citizen or legal resident is suitable for the position, they will have priority. There are exceptions, for example, for children or spouses of Spanish residents. In some cases, if the refusal of the permit puts your income at risk, the national employment situation can be waived.

- Permit for highly qualified workers: Suitable if your annual salary exceeds 40,000 euros and the position is technical or managerial. This option falls under the Entrepreneurs Act and usually allows you to bypass restrictions related to the labor market situation.

A visa to find a job in Spain gives you time and opportunities to find a suitable job or start your own business. It is important to choose relevant fields of work, use popular job search platforms and do not forget about networking.

Once you have received a job offer, you need to change your visa status to a residence and work permit in a timely manner – for employees or self-employed. This way you will be able to work legally in Spain and start your career as effectively as possible.

The process of obtaining a visa to find a job and its subsequent conversion into residence and work permits can be difficult for those who are new to the Spanish migration system. Migration lawyers will help you:

- Prepare documents for a visa and work permit.

- Choose the optimal type of permit – for employees or self-employed.

- Avoid mistakes and delays when submitting applications.

- Ensure legal residence and work in Spain.

Turning to specialists saves time and allows you to start a career or business in Spain without unnecessary stress.

Let us remind you! Spain is a fantastic Mediterranean country that attracts not only tourists, but also thousands of expats. Living here is a dream for many people in the world. Is it expensive to live in Spain? We have already told you what the prices for housing, food, entertainment and much more are here in 2025.

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Productos de Visit World para un viaje cómodo:

Lista de comprobación para obtener un visado y los documentos necesarios en España;

Asesoramiento jurídico sobre inmigración a España;

Seguro de viaje para extranjeros en España;

Seguro médico en todo el mundo.

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