Spain Introduces New Rules Allowing Short-Term Work Permits for Foreign Workers

Spain has revamped its immigration rules to offer short-term work permits for foreign professionals. This update includes the EU Blue Card, Digital Nomad, and Highly Qualified Professional permits, allowing stays of less than 90 days.

Spain is now more accessible for international professionals seeking short-term assignments or remote work opportunities. This change simplifies the process, ensuring you can obtain the right permit without committing to a lengthy stay.

What’s Changed?

Previously, Spanish authorities denied work permits under the Entrepreneurs Law for any duration shorter than 90 days. This restriction made short-term assignments impossible under categories such as:

• Highly Qualified Professional
• EU Blue Card
• Researcher
• Intra-Company Transfer
• Digital Nomad

With the latest update, Spain has removed this limitation. Authorities can now issue these permits for stays under 90 days, aligning better with modern international work practices.

Why It Matters

This change represents a significant shift for businesses and professionals. For example, if a tech company wants to bring in a specialist for a month-long consulting project, they can now do so. This update is especially beneficial for employers who want to avoid the complexities of Spain’s short-stay Schengen visa while still ensuring proper work authorization for legal and tax purposes.

What Hasn’t Changed

Despite these updates, certain rules remain in place. Applicants must still meet the eligibility criteria for each permit type. This change does not bypass the usual documentation or qualifications required.

Permits under Spain’s General Regime are unaffected. If you’re applying for general work permits, non-lucrative visas, or family reunification, you will still face a minimum 90-day stay requirement.

Spain’s Dual Immigration System

Spain’s immigration framework operates on two tracks:

• General Regime: The traditional route, known for being slower and less flexible.
• Entrepreneurs Law: Designed to fast-track foreign professionals, tech workers, researchers, and digital nomads. This is the pathway that now includes the short-stay permits.

This means that if you’re coming to Spain for a startup project, research, or a temporary assignment, your permit can now match the actual duration of your work, rather than being bound by a fixed 90-day requirement.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering Spain for professional travel, remote work, or as a digital nomad hub, take note of this important update. It reflects how Spanish immigration policies are evolving to meet global work trends, making Spain a more appealing destination for short-term projects.

For savvy travelers and professionals, these new permits enhance planning and flexibility. They reduce unnecessary wait times and better align paperwork with real-world needs, making your transition to Spain smoother than ever.