🇪🇸 Spain Work & Residence Permit
Also known as: cuenta ajena work permit, Spain work visa
Last verified: September 2, 2026
What is the Spain Work & Residence Permit?
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.
Spain Work & Residence Permit requirements, cost, and processing time
| Government fee | $90 |
| Processing time | 8–20 weeks |
| Minimum annual income | No fixed threshold on record |
| Minimum savings | No fixed threshold on record |
| Job offer | Required |
| Degree | Not required |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | Yes |
Amounts are approximate US dollar equivalents of figures set in local currency, verified against official sources for Brazilians.
Spain Work & Residence Permit cost and processing time by nationality
| Applicants | Gov. fee | Processing | Min. income | Min. savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷 Brazilians | $90 | 8–20 weeks | — | — |
Each row links to the full guide for that nationality, with the document checklist.
Documents needed for the Spain Work & Residence Permit
- Check whether your occupation is on the shortage catalogue
- Secure a job offer from a Spanish employer
- Employer files the combined work and residence application
- Get your qualifications apostilled and sworn-translated
- Obtain and apostille your criminal record certificate
- Obtain a medical certificate
- Apply for the work visa at the Spanish consulate in Brazil
- Enter Spain and register with social security
- Obtain your NIE and complete empadronamiento
- Apply for your TIE card within one month
- Bring family through reunification
- Track your two-year citizenship eligibility
This list is the checklist for Brazilians. The full ordered checklist, with timing, dependencies, and personalized due dates, is part of the plan.
Is the Work & Residence Permit right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- What are the requirements for the Spain Work & Residence Permit?
- The requirements we have on record are: a job offer from an employer in Spain. Amounts are USD equivalents verified for Brazilians; the official source lists the full document set.
- How much does the Spain Work & Residence Permit cost?
- The government fee is about $90 (USD equivalent). Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top.
- What is the Spain Work & Residence Permit processing time?
- Typical processing takes 8–20 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- Do I need a job offer for the Spain Work & Residence Permit?
- Yes. A job offer from an employer in Spain is required before applying.
- Can family members join on the Spain Work & Residence Permit?
- Yes. Accompanying family members are allowed, with additional documentation.
- Does the Spain Work & Residence Permit lead to permanent residency?
- Yes. It offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- Is the cuenta ajena work permit the same as the Spain Work & Residence Permit?
- Yes. cuenta ajena work permit and Spain work visa are other names people use for the Spain Work & Residence Permit.
Spain Work & Residence Permit guides by nationality
Other Spain visas
Always confirm requirements with the official government source: inclusion.gob.es. This guide is general information, not legal advice.