Student work rights in Spain

Rules for working while studying in Spain, including work limits, internships, tax steps and post-study routes where covered by the guide.

Read the complete Spain study abroad guide.

Part-time Jobs

For higher education, the long-duration study authorisation automatically permits both employed and self-employed work without a separate work-authorisation application, provided the activity is compatible with the studies. The limit is 30 hours per week. Exceeding that ceiling is an immigration issue: the regulation expressly makes breach of the limit a ground for ending the study authorisation.

The work authorisation is geographically limited to an autonomous community, not merely to one province. Work in bordering localities of a neighbouring autonomous community can be possible under the official rule. The employment right lasts only as long as the underlying study authorisation.

Other categories of long-duration study/activity authorisation can have different work procedures, so students outside higher education should not assume the automatic rule applies to them.

Source: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/web/migraciones/w/hoja-4-bis-acceso-al-empleo-de-las-personas-titulares-de-una-autorizacion-de-estancia-de-larga-duracion-por-estudios-movilidad-de-alumnos-servicios-de-voluntariado-o-actividades-formativas

Internships

Curricular internships (prácticas) that form part of the study plan are explicitly exempt from a separate work-authorisation application under the current immigration rules. The cleanest route is therefore through your university's internship/careers office and the formal university-company-student agreement used for the placement.

Extracurricular placements can fall under different labour or immigration treatment, so do not assume every informal internship is automatically covered. For higher-education students, ordinary compatible work is separately permitted up to 30 hours per week under the study authorisation.

Post-study Work

If you complete qualifying Spanish higher education at at least EQF level 6, you may apply for the residence authorisation for job search or the start of a business project. The current Ministry information sheet is explicit: the authorisation lasts 24 months, cannot be extended, and does not itself authorise you to work. Once you find suitable employment or are ready to launch the qualifying activity, you must move to the appropriate work/residence status.

For 2026, maintenance is again measured at 100% of IPREM per month (EUR 600), reduced to 50% where accommodation for the whole residence period has been paid in advance, plus the prescribed amounts for accompanying family members. Qualifying health insurance is also required.

Apply during the 60 calendar days before the study authorisation expires; an application can also be filed within 90 days afterward, although that can expose you to sanction proceedings. The Ministry gives a 20-day decision period and positive administrative silence. After approval, request the TIE within one month of notification.

Source: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/web/migraciones/w/20.-autorizacion-de-residencia-para-busqueda-de-empleo-o-inicio-de-proyecto-empresarial

Common questions

What should international students know about work in Spain?

Higher-education study authorisation automatically permits compatible employed or self-employed work up to 30 hours/week, geographically tied to an autonomous community.

What should international students know about internships in Spain?

Curricular placements that form part of the study plan need no additional work authorisation; route them through the university.

What should international students know about post study in Spain?

The graduate job-search/business residence lasts 24 months, is non-renewable and does not itself authorise work.