Residence permit for internships in Spain

Description

This authorization allows non-EU nationals to reside legally in Spain while completing an internship with a public or private company or organization, under a signed internship agreement (convenio de prácticas) or internship employment contract (contrato en prácticas). The internship must be linked to a university degree, vocational training qualification or equivalent obtained recently, or to studies in progress at the time of the application.

Advantages

• Lets you reside legally in Spain while completing your internship.
• The internship may be paid, if the agreement or contract so provides.
• No prior visa is required if the applicant is already in Spain legally.
• Makes it easier to move later to other residence and work authorizations, if you meet the requirements.

Who can apply? (including family members)

• This authorization is available to any national of a non-EU country who has obtained a university degree, vocational training qualification or equivalent within the two years before the application, or who is currently enrolled in such studies.
• The main applicant is the foreign national who will complete the internship.
• The applicant may be accompanied by their spouse or registered partner and by minor children, or adult children with a disability, who are financially dependent on them.

Requirements

• Show that you have an internship agreement or internship contract with a company or organization in Spain.
• Have obtained a university degree, vocational training qualification or equivalent within the previous two years, or be currently enrolled in studies.
• Have public health insurance, or private health insurance authorized to operate in Spain.
• Have no criminal record in the countries where you have lived in the last five years.
• Have sufficient financial means for your stay, unless the internship is paid and the pay meets this requirement.

Required documents

Application process

1. 1

   Gathering the documents

   The applicant gathers all the required documents, including the internship agreement or contract and the academic degree.

2. 2

   Filing the application

   The application is filed only with the competent immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) in Spain, either online or in person.

3. 3

   Decision on the application

   The Oficina de Extranjería decides the application within a maximum of 30 days. If there is no response, the application is deemed denied by administrative silence (silencio administrativo).

4. 4

   Issuance of the TIE

   Once the application is approved, the applicant must apply for the foreigner identity card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, TIE) within 30 days of the notice of approval.

Duration and renewal

• The initial authorization is granted for the term of the internship agreement or contract, up to a maximum of 12 months.
• It may be renewed for up to 6 additional months, provided the initial conditions are still met and the overall maximum of 18 months has not been exceeded.

FAQ

Applicable law

1. Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social
2. Ley 14/2013, de 27 de septiembre, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización
3. Real Decreto 1155/2024, de 25 de junio, por el que se modifica el Reglamento de extranjería