Study Stay

If you hold a long-term stay authorisation for studies and want to start working in Spain, as a general rule you will need to obtain a work authorisation, unless you meet certain exceptions.

If you have a long-term stay authorisation obtained for higher education, it will not be necessary to carry out this additional procedure to request a work authorisation, as the authorisation itself already automatically enables you to work, without the need for additional procedures, both as a self-employed and employed worker, provided that this activity is compatible with your studies.

⚠️ For all other types of studies, you will indeed need to apply for a work authorisation.

With a stay authorisation for studies, no additional permit is required to undertake work placements (internships). Provided that the placements are linked to your curriculum and within the validity of your current authorisation, the stay authorisation for studies automatically covers the following two cases:

• Curricular academic placements: It will not be necessary to request an additional authorisation to undertake curricular placements, by means of a collaboration agreement and forming part of the curriculum. This point will also apply if you hold a long-term stay authorisation to participate in a student mobility programme.

• Vocational training (FP) placements: If your authorisation is for post-compulsory secondary education, it will automatically authorise you to carry out training activities in a company or equivalent organisation if they are conducted within the framework of vocational training (general or intensive regime in intermediate and higher vocational training cycles, as well as training leading to professional certificates).

⚠️ To work, whether as an employee or self-employed, in any other activity that is not framed within the curriculum, you must apply for a work authorisation.