What Is Employment Under a Work Contract?
A permit issued based on a specific job offer from an employer based in Spain. Unlike self-employment, on this route the person is an employee of another company or employer, not the owner of their own project.
Requirements
- A formal work contract or a specific job offer from a Spanish employer
- Passing the National Employment Situation (Situación Nacional de Empleo) check, unless the occupation is on the shortage occupation catalog
- The employer being registered and active with Spain's Social Security system, with no outstanding tax or Social Security debts
- The employer's financial capacity to pay the offered salary, proportional to their activity and company size
Before issuing a work permit, Spain's labor authority usually checks whether there is unemployed labor available within Spain or the EU for that occupation. This process can lengthen the case's processing time.
The Shortage Occupation Catalog
Spain's public employment service (SEPE) publishes a list every three months of occupations experiencing a shortage of domestic labor. For occupations on this list, no National Employment Situation check is required, and the work permit process moves faster.
| Route | National Employment Situation Check Required? |
|---|---|
| Occupation on the shortage catalog | No |
| Other occupations | Yes |
Even with a valid job offer, the case may be rejected if the employer has outstanding tax or Social Security debts or lacks sufficient financial capacity. Check the employer's official standing before accepting any job offer.
Application Steps
- Receive a written job offer from the Spanish employer
- The employer files the initial work permit application in Spain
- Once approved, the applicant obtains the work visa from the Spanish Embassy in Tehran
- Enter Spain, register with the local municipal register and obtain the residence card (TIE)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the National Employment Situation mean?
It is a rule requiring Spain's labor authority to check whether there is unemployed labor available within Spain or the EU for that occupation.
What is the shortage occupation catalog?
It is a list published every three months, listing occupations experiencing a shortage of domestic labor. For these occupations, no National Employment Situation check is required.
What conditions must the Spanish employer meet?
The employer must be registered and active with Spain's Social Security system, have the required financial capacity, and have no outstanding tax or Social Security debts.
Can this route be used for any occupation?
Yes, but for occupations not on the shortage catalog, the process is longer because the National Employment Situation must first be checked and ruled out.