Spain Work & Residence Permit (Cuenta Ajena) for Brazilians

Overview

The employer-sponsored route. Your Spanish employer applies for the combined work and residence authorisation, and the role must normally appear on the Catálogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura — the shortage occupation catalogue — or survive a labour market test showing no suitable EU candidate was available. Brazilians can enter Spain visa-free for 90 days as tourists, but that does not permit work, and relying on an overstay to claim arraigo later is a poor plan when proper routes exist. As with every Spanish residence route, the prize is the same: two years of legal residence opens naturalisation for Brazilian nationals under the Ibero-American provision.

This page covers Brazilians. For every nationality we track, see the Spain Work & Residence Permit overview.

Requirements for Brazilians

Processing time & costs

Typical processing takes 8–20 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $90. Difficulty: 3/5.

Documents you'll need

• Check whether your occupation is on the shortage catalogueRoles on the Catalogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura skip the labour market test.
• Secure a job offer from a Spanish employerThe employer must be current on tax and social security and able to show capacity to pay.
• Employer files the combined work and residence applicationSubmitted to the provincial Oficina de Extranjeria, driven entirely by the employer.
• Get your qualifications apostilled and sworn-translatedNeeds a Hague apostille and a sworn (jurado) translator; regulated professions may need homologacion.
• Obtain and apostille your criminal record certificateFederal Police certificate covering the last five years, apostilled and translated.
• Obtain a medical certificateConfirms no diseases of public health concern under the International Health Regulations, in Spanish.
• Apply for the work visa at the Spanish consulate in BrazilApply within one month of approval at the consulate in Brasilia, Sao Paulo or Rio.
• Enter Spain and register with social securityYou must enter within the visa validity, and your employer registers you before you start work.
• Obtain your NIE and complete empadronamientoForeigner identity number plus town hall address registration.
• Apply for your TIE card within one monthBook a cita previa for fingerprints; the TIE is your physical residence card.
• Bring family through reunificationAvailable after a year of residence and renewal for at least another year, subject to income and housing.
• Track your two-year citizenship eligibilityBrazilians can apply after two years of continuous legal residence; CCSE and DELE A2 exams apply.

The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Spain Work & Residence Permit (Cuenta Ajena) take for Brazilians?

Typical processing time is 8–20 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.

What does the Work & Residence Permit (Cuenta Ajena) cost?

The government fee is approximately $90. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.

Do Brazilians need a job offer for the Work & Residence Permit (Cuenta Ajena)?

Yes. A job offer from an employer in Spain is required before applying.

Can I bring my family on the Work & Residence Permit (Cuenta Ajena)?

Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.

Other Spain visas for Brazilians

• Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo)

Other destinations for Brazilians

• 🇩🇪 Germany
• 🇵🇹 Portugal

Spain visas for other nationalities

• 🇬🇧 British citizens
• 🇺🇸 Americans