Work Permit for Employees in Spain

That job offer you’ve received is your golden ticket to a new life in Spain. The Work Permit for Employees, officially known as the autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta ajena, is the procedure that transforms that offer into a legal reality.

This is fundamentally an employer-driven process. Your future company in Spain must initiate and lead the application on your behalf. They must prove that they need to hire you specifically.

The biggest challenge is overcoming Spain’s National Employment Situation (Situación Nacional de Empleo). This means the employer must demonstrate that the job vacancy could not be filled by a candidate already in the Spanish or EU job market.

However, there are crucial exceptions to this rule. If the position is on the official shortage occupation list (catálogo de ocupaciones de difícil cobertura), or if you are a citizen of Chile or Peru, this requirement is waived.

Other exceptions apply for highly qualified professionals, artists, or those with family ties to Spaniards.

The process has two main stages. First, your employer submits the application for your residence and work authorization to the Immigration Office in Spain.

Once approved, you must then apply for your work visa at the Spanish Consulate in your home country. This visa allows you to travel to Spain, start working, and get your residency card (TIE).

Our expertise lies in providing strategic legal advice to your employer. We help them build a strong case, prove the necessity of your profile, and navigate the complexities of the National Employment Situation. We ensure the application is flawless from the start, significantly increasing the chances of a fast and positive outcome.