Spain Internship Visa: Requirements, Documents and Application Steps
Once you have decided to do an internship in Spain, the visa is usually the stage that raises the most questions. Which visa category applies, which documents you need, where to book your appointment and how long it all takes depend on the type of internship, its length and whether you are still a student or already a graduate.
This guide walks you through the Spain internship visa process from start to finish: who needs a visa, the authorisation categories used for internships, the document checklist, the application steps, common mistakes and what to do after you arrive in Spain.
Note: visa rules and document lists differ between consulates and are updated over time. Before applying, always check the current checklist of the Spanish consulate or official visa centre responsible for your place of residence.
Who Needs a Visa for an Internship in Spain?
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: No visa is needed. For stays longer than three months, they simply register as EU citizens in Spain (certificado de registro).
- Non-EU citizens: For internships longer than 90 days, you need Spain’s national visa, known as a type D visa.
Be careful with short internships too. A Schengen short-stay visa (type C) is issued for tourism, visits or business meetings; it does not cover actual work or internships. Even if your internship lasts only a few weeks, confirm with the consulate which visa you should travel on before you go.
Types of Spain Internship Visa: Which Category Fits You?
In Spain, an “internship visa” is not a single category. In practice, internships are handled under different types of authorisation depending on your situation. The new immigration regulation that came into force in May 2025 (Real Decreto 1155/2024) simplified parts of these procedures and strengthened interns’ rights. There are three main scenarios:
University students: internship as part of your studies
Students enrolled at a university in their home country usually complete their internship under a training agreement (convenio de prácticas) signed by the university, the host company in Spain and the student. The internship counts as part of your education and depends on your student status. Payment is not a legal requirement, but many businesses provide a monthly allowance, accommodation or meals.
Recent graduates: internship contract
Candidates who graduated recently, usually within the last two years, can sign an internship or training contract directly with a company. In this model the internship is an employment relationship: payment is mandatory, and the internship is expected to match the field and level of your degree. The host company normally files the authorisation request with the Spanish immigration authorities, and once it is approved, you apply for your visa at the consulate.
Study program plus internship
Students who enrol in a certificate, vocational or master’s program in Spain travel on a student visa, and the internship is completed as part of the program. This is common in gastronomy and hospitality education.
| Category | Who is it for? | Supporting document | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internship during studies | Students enrolled at a university | University–company training agreement (convenio) | Not mandatory, support often provided |
| Graduate internship | Recent graduates | Internship contract and approved authorisation | Mandatory |
| Study + internship | Students enrolled in a program in Spain | School admission letter and program details | Depends on the program |
Spain Internship Visa Requirements: Document Checklist
The exact list depends on your category and consulate, but you will find the following documents in almost every application:
- National visa application form: Fully completed and signed.
- Passport: Valid for the whole planned stay, with blank pages, plus a copy of the data page.
- Biometric photo: Recent, with a white background.
- Internship document: A signed training agreement for students, or an internship contract and the approved authorisation for graduates. It should state your tasks, dates, working hours and any allowance.
- Proof of studies or degree: Documents showing the link between the internship and your field.
- Proof of financial means: Evidence that you can support yourself during your stay. Spain uses its reference index, the IPREM; for a single applicant this is generally 100% of the monthly IPREM (about €600) for each month of stay. Scholarships, the allowance paid by the host company or bank statements can be used.
- Health insurance: Comprehensive private health insurance from a company authorised to operate in Spain, covering your entire stay, with no deductibles and no co-payments.
- Criminal record certificate: For stays over 180 days, issued by the countries where you have lived in the past five years, legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish.
- Medical certificate: For stays over 180 days, confirming that you do not have any disease that poses a serious public health risk under the International Health Regulations.
- Accommodation details: A letter from the host business confirming accommodation, or a rental agreement (requested by some consulates).
- Proof of payment of the visa fee.
Official documents issued in another language usually need a sworn translation into Spanish and, where applicable, an apostille. Because apostilles and translations take time, starting your document preparation early makes the whole process much smoother.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm your placement and category. Get an offer from the host business and identify which authorisation category your internship falls under. Your entire document list depends on this.
- Finalise the agreement or contract. If you are a student, complete the training agreement with your university’s internship or international office. If you are a graduate, wait for the host company to file and obtain the authorisation.
- Prepare your documents. Plan your criminal record certificate, medical certificate, apostilles and translations, and buy health insurance that covers the full internship period.
- Book your appointment. Applications are submitted at the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence or at the official visa application centre it works with. Check the consulate’s website to see which applies in your country.
- Submit your application and biometrics. Bring originals and copies of every document; missing documents can lead to delays or refusal.
- Wait for the decision. The consulate may request additional documents during the review. You can usually track your application online.
- Collect your visa and plan your trip. The type D visa allows you to enter Spain and then apply for your residence card.
How Long Does a Spain Internship Visa Take?
Timing depends on your category, the season and whether your file is complete. For realistic planning, account for these stages:
- Document preparation: 2–4 weeks for apostilles, translations, the medical certificate and insurance.
- Company authorisation (graduate internships): From a few weeks to around two months.
- Waiting for an appointment: Several weeks in busy periods, especially before summer.
- Consular review: Usually a few weeks.
Overall, starting at least 3–4 months before your internship begins is a safe approach. For internships starting in the high tourism season, allow even more time, as both businesses and visa centres are at their busiest then.
Choosing the Right Health Insurance
Health insurance is one of the documents most often found insufficient in internship visa applications, because travel insurance designed for Schengen short-stay visas is usually not accepted for a national visa. When choosing a policy, check the following:
- Coverage: The policy should offer coverage equivalent to Spain’s public health system, including inpatient and outpatient care, emergencies and hospital costs.
- Deductibles and co-payments: Consulates usually require a policy with no deductible (sin franquicia) and no co-payments (sin copago).
- Dates: The insurance must be valid without interruption from the first to the last day of your internship. If your dates change, update the policy.
- Insurer: A company authorised to operate in Spain makes the application easier.
- Language: Make sure the certificate is in Spanish or in a language the consulate accepts.
Even if you will be registered with Spanish social security during your internship, private health insurance can still be required at the visa stage. Confirming what will be accepted with the consulate or visa centre before you apply is the safest approach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Travelling on a tourist visa: A Schengen visa does not cover internships, and an inspection can have serious consequences.
- Insufficient insurance: Standard travel insurance is usually not enough; a comprehensive policy without deductibles is required.
- Missing apostilles or translations: A frequent gap, especially for the criminal record certificate.
- An internship unrelated to your studies: The connection between the internship and your degree must be clear.
- Inconsistent dates: The dates on your agreement, insurance and accommodation documents must match.
- Weak proof of funds: You need to show sufficient means for the entire stay.
- Applying too late: Ignoring appointment backlogs and preparation time can cost you your start date.
What to Do After You Arrive in Spain
Your visa is not the last step. For stays longer than six months, you must book a fingerprint appointment and apply for your foreigner identity card (TIE) within one month of entering Spain. The TIE proves your legal residence and is requested for many everyday procedures.
Since 2024, interns in Spain must also be registered with the social security system, which is usually handled by the host business. Opening a bank account, registering your address with the local town hall (empadronamiento) and getting a local phone number are other practical tasks for your first weeks. If possible, arrive a few days before your start date so you do not have to squeeze these into your first days at work.
What If Your Visa Is Refused?
A refusal decision states its reasons. You can file an administrative appeal (recurso de reposición) with the same consulate within one month of being notified, or take the case to the Spanish administrative courts. Because most refusals are caused by missing or inconsistent documents, many applicants instead fix the issues identified and submit a new application.
In a new application, adding documents that directly address the reason for refusal, such as stronger proof of funds, a corrected training agreement or broader insurance coverage, improves your chances of a positive outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
The consular review usually takes a few weeks. Once you add document preparation, appointment waiting times and, for graduates, the company’s authorisation request, the whole process can take several months. Starting at least 3–4 months before your internship is recommended.
No. A Schengen short-stay visa does not cover internships or work. You need a visa that matches the length and type of your internship.
Internship authorisation is granted for a specific company and activity. Working elsewhere may require separate authorisation, so confirm what your permit allows before taking on another job.
Yes. Recent graduates can complete a paid internship under a contract in a field that matches their degree. In this case, the host company usually files the authorisation request.
Spain uses the IPREM index as a benchmark. A single applicant is generally expected to show about one monthly IPREM (around €600) for each month of stay. A monthly allowance from the host company or a scholarship can count towards this.
Plan Your Internship in Spain
The visa is only one part of an internship; without the right placement, a suitable duration and consistent documents, the process will not run smoothly. At Cardelest we guide candidates through program selection, placement with host businesses and document preparation for internships in Spain. See durations, eligibility and what is included on our Spain Internship Program page, or contact us for a free pre-assessment.
