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  •  /  Spain
  • Country Overviews

Spain

At a Glance

Capital Madrid
Language Spanish
Population 48,146,134 (July 2015 est.)
GDP Total $1.615 trillion (2015 est.)
GDP Per Capita $34,800 (2015 est.)
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

When traveling to Spain, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

 

Traveling for Business

 

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Spain, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • » Attend business meetings
  • » Attend seminars or fact-finding meetings
  • » Attend conferences or workshops
  • » Attend trade shows

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Spain?

Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Spain.

Spain is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 26 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Spain and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.

 

Working in Spain

 

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Spanish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Spain, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • » System installation
  • » Marketing plan development
  • » Managerial oversight

 

If I am traveling to Spain for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Spain. Work authorization is granted under either the Entrepreneurs Act or the General Immigration Framework. Permits issued under the Entrepreneurs Act are subject to a streamlined immigration process; those ineligible under the Entrepreneurs Act must apply through the General Immigration Framework. The most common forms of work authorization in Spain issued under these categories are:

Entrepreneurs Act:

  • » Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Professionals (high-skilled work authorization for local hires)
  • » EU Intra-Company Transfer Residence Permit (ICT work authorization for temporary transfers of managers, specialists, or trainees)
  • » National Intra-Company Transfer Residence Permit (ICT work authorization for situations in which the EU ICT requirements are not met)

General Immigration Framework:

  • » EU Blue Card (high-skilled work authorization for local hires)
  • » Work and Residence Permit for the Provision of Transnational Services (ICT work authorization)
  • » Work and Residence Permit as an Employee (direct-hire work authorization)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Spain. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Spain.

Additional work authorization exemptions are available in Spain for certain occupations and activities, as well as under Vander Elst (also called Van der Elst) rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.

 

What else should I know?

 

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2020 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.


News and Events

10 Feb 21

COVID-19: Air travel from Brazil, South Africa banned

COVID-19 Spain

18 Nov 20

COVID-19: Testing, health form requirement now in place...

COVID-19 Spain

17 Aug 20

COVID-19: Entry restrictions updated again

COVID-19 Spain

29 Jul 20

COVID-19: Spain updates entry rules regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 Spain

16 Jul 20

Instructions for obtaining ID card for UK citizens

Spain

24 Jun 20

COVID-19: State of alarm, restrictions lifted

COVID-19 Spain

22 May 20

COVID-19: Automatic extension of immigration documents, renewals implemented

COVID-19 Spain

17 Apr 20

 COVID-19: State of alarm extended again

COVID-19 Spain

3 Apr 20

COVID-19: State of alarm extended

COVID-19 Spain

25 Mar 20

COVID-19: Travel restrictions strengthened again

COVID-19 Spain

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At a Glance

Capital Madrid
Language Spanish
Population 48,146,134 (July 2015 est.)
GDP Total $1.615 trillion (2015 est.)
GDP Per Capita $34,800 (2015 est.)

Immigration Links

  • Country Specific Travel information
  • Directory of Embassies/Consulates
  • Overseas Security Advisory Council

Related News

  • COVID-19: Air travel from Brazil, South Africa banned

    SPAIN   10 Feb 21

  • COVID-19: Testing, health form requirement now in place...

    SPAIN   18 Nov 20

  • COVID-19: Entry restrictions updated again

    SPAIN   17 Aug 20

  • COVID-19: Spain updates entry rules regarding COVID-19

    SPAIN   29 Jul 20

  • Instructions for obtaining ID card for UK citizens

    SPAIN   16 Jul 20

  • COVID-19: State of alarm, restrictions lifted

    SPAIN   24 Jun 20

  • COVID-19: Automatic extension of immigration documents, renewals implemented

    SPAIN   22 May 20

  •  COVID-19: State of alarm extended again

    SPAIN   17 Apr 20

  • COVID-19: State of alarm extended

    SPAIN   3 Apr 20

  • COVID-19: Travel restrictions strengthened again

    SPAIN   25 Mar 20

  • Applicants experiencing delays finalizing residence permit applications in...

    SPAIN   26 Nov 19

  • Permits delayed as internal report requests take longer...

    SPAIN   9 Aug 19

  • Authorities publish additions to the Entrepreneurs’ Act, new...

    SPAIN   22 May 19

  • No-deal Brexit plans set

    SPAIN   11 Apr 19

  • Resident permit processing hit by delays

    SPAIN   1 Aug 18

  • Salaries of foreign highly qualified workers drawing greater...

    SPAIN   19 Jul 18

  • Proof of entry now required for residence card...

    SPAIN   11 Apr 18

  • Fast-track residence permit appointments resume at Central Police...

    SPAIN   26 Oct 17

  • Fast-track residence cards experiencing delays at Central Police...

    SPAIN   19 Oct 17

  • Posted worker rules implemented

    SPAIN   5 Jun 17

  • Highly qualified professional job descriptions undergoing greater scrutiny

    SPAIN   9 Mar 17

  • Spain signs contract with new visa services provider

    SPAIN   28 Dec 16

  • Spanish visa applicants in India must apply directly...

    SPAIN, INDIA   19 Dec 16

  • Resident permits taking longer than normal

    SPAIN   21 Oct 16

  • Spanish embassy, consulate to take over visa processing...

    SPAIN, INDIA, NEPAL   12 Oct 16

  • Spanish visa centers in India due for closure...

    SPAIN, INDIA   5 Oct 16

  • Spain to alter method for calculating processing times

    SPAIN   16 Sep 16

  • New rule broadens definition of EU nationals' dependents

    SPAIN   8 Dec 15

  • Language and civics tests now required for citizenship

    SPAIN   21 Oct 15

  • New visa offers greater EU mobility to intra-company...

    SPAIN   14 Sep 15

  • Reciprocal work and holiday visas announced

    AUSTRALIA, SPAIN   5 Sep 14

  • Details of New Law: Investors, Entrepreneurs, Researchers

    SPAIN   21 Oct 13

  • New Immigration Law Benefits Skilled Workers, Entrepreneurs, Investors

    SPAIN   1 Oct 13

  • Decreased Minimum Salaries for EU Blue Card, Fast-Tracked...

    SPAIN   15 Aug 13

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