Moving to Spain to work? 🚀

“Relocating can be overwhelming, and the mountain of paperwork stressful. Many times it’s hard to get a clear view of how an immigration process looks like. I wrote this article aiming to go along with one of our values: “Keep it Simple”, and bring some clarity to the steps and requirements you may need to relocate to Spain.”

How does the immigration process look like?

Well, let’s start by saying that each process has its own particularities. But, let me help you understand the basic guidelines of the immigration to Spain for working reasons 😉

It’s comprehensible that Spain is calling you! With its good weather, tapas, sangrias and its amazing culture.

This article is oriented to people who have already had the opportunity to join a company based in Spain, so the company should give some kind of Relocation Support — economical and emotional 🙃

For this, there’re two types of processes: the one for people from the European Union and the one for candidates who are from outside the European Union.

However, in every case it’s required to have the following paperwork in order to be able to work and reside legally in Spain:

• NIE number: or “número de identificación extranjero” It’s the personal and unique tax identification number that is used to track all financial and legal activities in Spain.
• SSN or Social security number: which gives you access to the social security services and healthcare in Spain. It could also be called in Spanish NASS (Número de Afiliación de la Seguridad Social).
• Spanish Bank Account: it should be a Spanish IBAN, starting with “ES”- if you’d like to get your payroll at the end of the month, this should be a must on your checklist 😉
• Empadronamiento: it’s not required for working reasons, but still a must have in your list! It’s a document that officially states your address and who lives with you. It is essential for almost every other administrative procedure in Spain.

👉 Let’s start with the European Union process

This residency permit process would be for candidates whose nationality is within the European Union. It’s a much easier process than the one for those whose nationality is not within the European Union.

They could be hired with their applications for: a) Spanish Social Security number, b) their NIE Number and a c) Spanish Bank Account (not mandatory but necessary for payroll).

🕐 How long would this process take? Well, it depends; take it or leave it, between 1 to 3 months.

The process can start before the candidate moves to Barcelona, with all the needed appointments. Especially the NIE appointment which could be the hardest to get (because of demand, especially in Barcelona).

NIE: this is the most important item from the requirements. As mentioned before, the appointments are quite difficult to get, but not impossible! The documents that the candidate must bring to the appointment are:

• The original and copy of the candidate’s passport (first page where the photo is)
• Company letter (That describes the person will join the company on a determined date and with a specific salary)

For getting the Social Security Number: the applicant has to ask for it for her/himself because it’s not possible to do it on their behalf. It’s not a difficult process but it does require the following info:

• The TA1 (form to apply for a Social Security number in Spain)
• The candidate’s parents names
• Address and phone number from Spain. It can be a friend’s house, or in particular cases, the office apartment
• The company letter
• A picture of the front and back of the candidate’s ID, JPG

After submitting the info (even a couple of hours later) the number will be sent to the inbox.

• Bank account : It’s almost impossible to open a bank account without the NIE number; so you may have to wait until you get your NIE or request for your PXBP or agency to help you open one.

Whenever all these three things are set, the candidate’s ready to be hired! 🚀

👉 Let’s see about the Non-European process

This would apply for candidates whose nationality is outside the European Union (even if they are living in EU), and what they should apply for is a work permit called: highly qualified visa.

The Spanish Government explains it as: A Visa to carry out a work activity as an employee in Spain as a highly qualified professional, member of senior management personnel meeting certain criteria set forth in prevailing legislation, or as a graduate or post-graduate of a prestigious university and/or business school.

Meaning: is a work permit that enables citizens from outside the European Union to live and work in Spain legally, as long as they find a job offer in a Spanish company under a qualified or technical position, or as a manager directing people.

What if you want to travel with your partner or family? If yours is approved, then you can “share the residence permit” with the following family members:

• The spouse or unmarried partner.
• Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the worker and who have not created a family unit of their own.
• Relatives in the ascending line in the worker’s care.

Basic requirements:

• Completed university degree related to the job role offered or at least 3 years of experience in the same position
• A valid passport
• Be over 18 years old
• Presentation of a background check, therefore you cannot have criminal records (neither in Spain neither in any other country)
• And the candidate can’t be residing in Spain in an irregular situation

👉 More info here

🕐 How long would this process take? Well, it depends, between to 2 to 8 months. Usually it gets settled by the 3rd month, but at times it can depend on the demand and on each particular case.

First of all, and perhaps the most important thing, you must have a job offer in Spain. Once a company in the country has an interest in hiring you, you can start with the process.

In the one hand, you can apply while residing in Spain, provided that you hold a regular situation in the country. On the other hand, you can also apply while being abroad (in your origin country). In that last case, the application must be summited to the Spanish Consulate or Embassy of your country.

I would strongly advice to start the process from your current place of residence, and whenever it’s ready make the move to Spain. Because if you take the risk to travel and start the process from Spain, and for any particular reason your process gets denied, it’d be a big disappointment.

After the application submission, you will receive the resolution in more or less a period of 20 working days. You would need to get an appointment at the Embassy or Consulate, and get your visa attached to your passport.

After this, you’re able to ask for you Social Security Number -steps to follow explained above — but with the difference that instead of having a Company Letter you would need your Work Permit Resolution, and when you get your SSN, you’re ready to take the next plane and fly to Spain! 🛫 You must enter Spain within the time stipulated on your visa. In the airport, make sure the police stamp your passport.

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Finally, in either process you may also need to do the empadronamiento, which means registering yourself as a resident in the town hall of the area you will be living in. This would be key to get access to the public healthcare system.

Are you ready to do the move? If this info is still not enough, you could always reach out to me and I will further explain the processes, but one thing for sure when this whole process could look overwhelming let’s remember to Keep it Simple 😉

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This article is not legal advice. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and the contents of this article are not a substitute for legal counsel