Spain: Broader Student Work Authorization, Among Other Measures to Address Labor Shortages

• • Under the new rules, students can perform relevant employment or self-employment for up to 30 hours per week, up from 20. Employers are still required to obtain work authorization and register the student with local social security.

  • Graduates can seek employment in Spain regardless of their prior duration of stay, where previously they could only seek employment in Spain after a three-year stay on a student status and if they had not received any scholarships.

  • Medical graduates whose degrees have been recognized by Spanish authorities can start working while their application to change status to employment is pending, where previously, these individuals had to await approval.

  • Graduates are still required to apply for a job search permit, training permit or standard work authorization after graduation and before starting work.

The amount of the financial means required from the sponsoring applicant has been reduced for those with minor children, represented minors or disabled persons and other dependents for humanitarian reasons in certain circumstances.

Eligibility requirements for self-employed applicants have been eased. The requirement for the initial application for the residence permit, which made it necessary to demonstrate that the foreign national had sufficient economic resources, has been eliminated.

Under the new rules, self-employed permit holders can perform activities in any region, and can take up employment in addition to their self-employed work; where previously only self-employed work in the region covered by the initial application was permitted.

Upon renewal, self-employed permits will be issued for four years, up from two. 

Permit holders under the general immigration framework are eligible for permit renewal for a validity of four years at a time, up from one year.

Upon renewal, permit holders can work as employees or self-employed persons in any region, where previously only employed work in the region of issuance was permitted.

• • Under the new rules, individuals staying in Spain without valid work and/or residence authorization can apply for work and residence authorization based on six months’ employment; or for a 12-month training permit based on two years’ stay; or for regularization based on social or family connections in Spain.