Can I work in Spain with a student visa?

Knowing the possibilities of working in Spain with a student visa

Many foreigners who have obtained a student visa ask us if they can carry out paid activities in Spain during the time of the said permit.
In principle, the authorization to stay for studies, by itself, does not authorize to work. On the contrary, the general principle is that the foreigner who comes to study in Spain has the necessary resources to cover all his expenses.
However, the immigration regulations allow a foreigner to work in Spain with a student visa if he also obtains a work permit.

Requirements  to work in Spain with a student visa

To obtain the corresponding work permit (ie as an employee), it is necessary to meet certain requirements, namely:

• Work activities must be compatible with studies.
• The income obtained must not have the necessary resource character for their livelihood or stay, nor will they be considered in the application of a future extension of stay.
• The foreign student must have the training and, where appropriate, the professional qualification legally required for the practice of the profession.
• The employer must be registered in the Social Security system regime and have no tax debts or debts with the Social Security System and has to prove sufficient economic, or personal means to meet the obligations assumed in the contract .
• If the employer is a natural person he must prove income of, once the payment of the agreed salary has been deducted, 100% of the IPREM (acronym for the Public Indicator of Multiple Effects Income) if there are no dependents. If the family unit includes two members, 200%. If the family unit includes more than two people, 50% of the IPREM must be added to the previous amount for each additional member. The IPREM in 2020 is set at 7,519.59 euros per year.
• The contract must be formalized in writing and be part-time or, in the case of being full-time, its duration must not exceed three months (summer period) or coincide with the periods of study. On the other hand, the conditions set in the employment contract must be adjusted to those established by current regulations.

Who and where the application to work in Spain with a student visa must be filled

This job application must be filled by the employer, that is, the company or individual that will hire the foreign student. The student cannot present it directly.
In turn, the application is submitted to the immigration office of the province where the services will be provided, not where the student resides. As you can see, you cannot apply for a work permit together with the initial application for a study stay, since the latter is presented at the Spanish consulate of the country of origin.

Can I work in Spain with a student visa, as a self-employed person (“autónomo”)?

Yes, in this case you also need to request an authorization, complying with the following requirements:
• Work activities must be compatible with studies.
• The income obtained should not have the character of a resource necessary for their livelihood or stay, nor will they be considered in the procedure for extension of stay.
• The activity must be part-time or, in the case of being full-time, its duration may not exceed three months or coincide with the periods of study.
• Meet the requirements that current legislation requires for the opening and operation of the projected activity.
• Possess the required professional qualification or sufficient proven experience in the practice of the professional activity, as well as, where appropriate, the membership to the Professional Association, when required.
• To be able to prove that the planned investment is sufficient and the impact, where appropriate, on job creation.
• Have sufficient financial resources for its maintenance and accommodation (in the case that the resources derive from the exercise of the activity, its valuation will be carried out once the necessary ones to meet the expenses derived from the activity have been deducted).
In this case, the application is submitted by the student himself, before the immigration office of the province where he will perform the activity as a freelancer.