Spain Job Seeker Visa: How to Move to Spain Without a Job Offer and Find One
The Spain Job Seeker Visa (Real Decreto 1155/2024, Title II § 4) lets non-EU nationals live in Spain for up to 12 months without a prior job offer, giving you time to network and interview. This guide walks you through eligibility criteria, required documents, costs, the application process, what to do after arrival and common pitfalls so you can confidently plan your move and job search in Spain.
Key Takeaways
- The new Job Seeker Visa allows stays for 12 months (non-renewable) to look for work or plan a business idea.
- Two pathways: Children/grandchildren of Spaniards (labour-market test is waived), or qualified professionals in high-demand occupations/regions.
- Fees: 2025: Visa €75–€150, apostille & translation ~€250, first-year living funds ≥ €31 752.
- Eligibility: Non-EU national with a degree or 3+ years experience, €31 752 funds, clean record, full private insurance.
- Apply from your home country at the Spanish consulate with apostilled and translated documents.
- After arrival register empadronamiento, apply for TIE card and start networking for jobs
- No paid work until conversion: you can start work once your employer files the work-permit conversion.
- Avoid mistakes like using travel insurance, showing insufficient or unstable funds, or applying from inside Spain on a tourist visa.
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1. What Is the New Spain Job Seeker Visa?
The Spain Job Seeker Visa is a residence visa valid for 12 months, created under Real Decreto 1155/2024. It allows qualified non-EU nationals to live in Spain while actively searching for employment or preparing to start a business. If you secure a job during this period, your employer can submit a work permit application on your behalf without you needing to leave the country. It replaces the older post-study job-search residence and is open even to non-students.
2. Who Qualifies for the Spanish Job Seeker Visa?
To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national.
- Hold a university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) or have more than 3 years of professional experience in a high-demand sector (e.g. technology, engineering, healthcare, finance).
- Present a clean criminal record (certificate issued within the last 3 months, covering the last 5 years of residence, apostilled and officially translated).
- Show financial means equal to at least 200% of the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) - approximately €2,646/month, or €31,752/year for the main applicant. Although family members cannot accompany you initially, Spanish immigration rules use the following thresholds when assessing financial sufficiency:
- +75% of SMI (≈ €23,814/year) for a spouse
- +25% of SMI (≈ €7,938/year) for each dependent child
- Hold private health insurance valid in Spain for 12 months with no copayments or deductibles and with repatriation coverage.
Spain SMI / Digital Nomad Visa Calculator
Estimate the minimum monthly income you must show for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (SMI-based).
Household
Adds spouse at 75% SMI.
Each child: 25% SMI (0‑10)
Each: 25% SMI (0‑5)
Results
Monthly
€2,646
Yearly
€31,752
3. Documents, Costs and Requirements
Make sure to prepare the following documents. All foreign documents must be officially translated into Spanish and apostilled (or legalized if your country is not part of the Hague Convention).
| Document | Description | Translation & Apostille Required | Notes/Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Form (Type D) | Official national visa form. | ❌ No | Downloadable from most Spanish consulate websites. Example: Madrid Consulate Form↗ |
| Valid Passport | Must be valid for at least 12 months with at least two blank pages. | ❌ No | Include a photocopy of all used pages. |
| University Degree / Proof of Work Experience | Degree certificate or letter of work experience if applying under the professional experience pathway. | ✅ Yes | Must be apostilled and translated. Educational qualifications should match the high-demand fields listed by Spain. |
| Bank Statements | Last 3-6 months showing the required financial means. | ❌ No | Should prove stable financial history, not sudden deposits. |
| Proof of Accommodation | e.g., Airbnb, hotel or letter of invitation | ❌ No | |
| Private Health Insurance Policy | Must cover the full 12-month stay with no copayments or deductibles. | ✅ Yes (only if issued outside Spain) | Should be valid throughout the Schengen zone. Check providers like Adeslas↗, Sanitas↗, or AXA Spain↗. |
| Police Clearance Certificate | Issued by all countries of residence in the last 5 years. | ✅ Yes | Must be issued within the past 90 days. Apostille + official translation required. Example: UK ACRO Certificate↗ |
| Medical Certificate | States you are free from any disease that may pose a serious threat to public health. | ✅ Yes | Wording should match Spanish consulate guidelines. Example phrasing: “This certifies that Mr./Ms. ___ does not suffer from any disease that could pose serious public health risk under the 2005 WHO International Health Regulations.” |
| Passport Photos | Two recent ID photos (32x26mm or standard Schengen size). | ❌No | White background. Often taken at consulate or pre-approved centers. |
| Proof of Spanish Descent | Birth or marriage certificates proving lineage to Spanish citizens - only for descendants of Spaniards). | ✅ Yes | Applies only to the special stream under Article 44. Certificates must be apostilled & translated. |
4. How to apply for the Spain Job Seeker Visa in 2025
Applying for the Job Seeker Visa involves several legal and administrative steps. It is important to follow the process exactly as outlined by your local Spanish consulate. Here's a step-by-step guide:
✅ Step-by-Step process for applying to Spain's Job Seeker visa
-
Check the Latest Ministerial Order
Visit the BOE website↗ or your local consulate’s website for annual quotas, eligible occupations, and regions. -
Book Your Visa Appointment
Schedule an appointment via your nearest Spanish consulate’s official platform. This can often be done online. Appointments may be limited, so plan ahead. -
Compile Your Documents
Prepare all required documents. Ensure non-Spanish documents are apostilled or legalized and officially translated by a certified translator (traductor jurado). -
Submit Application In Person
Bring originals and copies of all documents to your consulate appointment. Pay the visa fee (typically €75–€150). Biometric data (fingerprints + photo) will be collected. -
Wait for Resolution
Processing time ranges from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the consulate. Some may require follow-up interviews or additional documents. -
Collect Your D-Type Visa
Once approved, retrieve your visa in person or by courier (if allowed). The D-type visa is usually valid for 90 days for entry into Spain. -
Travel to Spain
Enter Spain during the validity window of the visa and begin your legal 12-month residence for job search.
5. After Arrival: TIE, Job Search & Permit Conversion
After arriving in Spain:
1- Empadronamiento: Register your address at your local town hall (within 30 days), follow these steps↗.
2- TIE (Foreigner ID card): Book your cita previa (appointment) and submit the EX-17 form, fingerprints, and fees. Here is a step-by-step guide↗.
3- SEPE Registration: Register here↗ to search for public jobs.
4- Start your job search: Join LinkedIn groups, attend meetups, and use Spanish job portals like InfoJobs, Tecnoempleo, and Jobandtalent.
🔄 Convert Visa to Work Permit
Once you receive a job offer:
- Your employer files the initial work/residence permit (Art. 73.2). You can also apply to the Digital Nomad Visa step by step guide↗
- Your legal status is extended while the permit is processed (max 10 days for response).
- After approval, you must register with Social Security within 1 month.
- You can then legally begin working.
6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes:
-
Using travel insurance instead of a full private policy.
-
Depositing funds shortly before applying. Unstable bank history may lead to rejection.
-
Failing to translate or apostille key documents.
-
Attempting to apply from within Spain on a tourist visa.
-
Ignoring consulate-specific forms or local requirements.
7. Comparing Visa Options
Below is a comparison of visa alternatives to consider:
| Visa Type | Job Offer Required? | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Seeker Visa | ❌ No | 12 months | Explore & apply in Spain |
| Standard Work Visa | ✅ Yes | Tied to contract | Direct employment in Spain |
| Digital Nomad Visa | ✅ Yes (remote work for company outside Spain) | 1 year (renewable) | Remote workers with foreign income |
| Entrepreneur Visa | ❌ No | 1–2 years (renewable) | Launching a startup in Spain |
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Gerard B.
An expat who's done it, so you don't have to!
After spending years in Spain and thousands of euros on lawyers, tax advisors, and residency applications, only to realize that doing it yourself is often easier, cheaper, and just as effective. Gerard is an expat on a mission to help others avoid the same costly mistakes. By creating LiveLoveSpain, Gerard aims to share first-hand experiences, practical tips, and plenty of "Why didn't anyone tell me this?!" moments. Whether it's filing taxes, understanding visas, or just mastering the art of the sobremesa, he's here to help fellow expats integrate seamlessly without breaking the bank.