Working legally in Spain as a foreigner means having the right combination of immigration status, identification numbers and local registrations. The exact steps depend on whether you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen or a non-EU national, but many requirements overlap.
1. Immigration status: EU citizens vs non-EU citizens
- EU/EEA and Swiss nationals have the right to live and work in Spain, but long-term residents still need to register locally:
- If staying longer than 3 months, you must register as an EU resident and obtain an EU registration certificate, or Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión.
- Non-EU nationals usually need:
- A residence and work authorisation approved in Spain, and
- A corresponding Spanish work visa issued by a Spanish consulate before entering the country (for most standard employee and highly qualified worker routes).
2. NIE: Foreigners’ Identification Number
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the basic tax and identification number assigned to non-Spaniards in Spain. It is required for:
- Working and paying taxes in Spain
- Most employment contracts and Social Security registrations
- Opening many Spanish bank accounts and signing rental contracts
3. Get a Spanish Social Security Number
Almost everyone working in Spain, EU or non-EU, must have a Spanish Social Security Number (Número de la Seguridad Social / número de afiliación) so that contributions can be paid.
- The application is usually made with Form TA.1 at your nearest Social Security office, or Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, often by appointment.
- Some employers obtain this number on your behalf when you sign your contract, while others will expect you to have it already.
- Applications are increasingly handled online for those with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, but many new arrivals still obtain it in person.
4. Work visas and permits for non-EU citizens
For non-EU nationals, having a valid right to work is essential and sits alongside your NIE and Social Security number.
For most employee roles:
- The employer in Spain usually starts the work authorisation with the relevant Oficina de Extranjería or regional authority.
- Once this is approved, you apply for the corresponding work and residence visa at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence.
- After entering Spain with this visa, the employer must register the worker with Spanish Social Security within the legal deadline.
- When the authorisation is for more than six months, the worker must apply for the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) within one month of the Social Security registration.
Typical documents requested across the authorisation and visa stages include:
- Valid passport
- Recent passport‑size photographs
- Criminal record certificate
- Employment contract or firm job offer that meets Spanish labour standards and the specific permit requirements
- Employer’s tax and Social Security registration details
Other immigration routes that allow work in Spain, such as highly qualified professional permits, EU Blue Cards, digital nomad visas or entrepreneur permits, have their own eligibility rules and document lists.
5. Open a Spanish bank account
A Spanish bank account is not always a strict legal requirement to work, but it is standard practice for salaries and direct debits.
Banks typically ask for:
- Passport or national ID
- Proof of address in Spain, such as a rental contract or recent bill
- Proof of income or employment, such as a work contract or offer
- For many accounts, an NIE or evidence that it is being processed
6. Padrón and healthcare: once you are living and working
The padrón (empadronamiento) and public healthcare registration are usually steps you take once you are already in Spain with your job, residence and work rights in order.
Registering on the municipal roll
The padrón is the municipal register of residents and is often needed for later procedures, such as access to public healthcare, some immigration renewals or enrolling children in school.
- You register at your local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) to obtain a certificado de empadronamiento.
- You generally present your passport or ID, proof of address (rental contract, title deed or a signed authorisation from the main tenant/owner) and the local form.
While not always required to start a job, being on the padrón becomes important once you are settled and using local services.
Healthcare registration and health card
Workers who are contributing to the Spanish Social Security system have access to public healthcare.
- After your Social Security registration is active, you can register with your local health centre (centro de salud).
- You usually provide your ID or passport, NIE/TIE, and proof of Social Security affiliation.
- You are then assigned a family doctor and receive a health card (tarjeta sanitaria), either by post or collection, which allows you to use the public system.
For some visa and residence categories, particularly before you start work or in the first year, non-EU nationals may also have to show proof of private health insurance that meets Spanish requirements.
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For a taste of working life in Spain, check out other articles on the topic of jobs.
