Many people want to work in Spain. Some jobs need a degree, but many do not. This guide lists the main job types for foreign workers in Spain, what they pay and how the process really works. It helps you choose the right path and stay away from fake offers.
Read this first: you cannot ask for a Spanish work visa alone. An employer in Spain must get a work permit for you first, and the rules are strict. This guide shows the real ways.
The main jobs for foreign workers in Spain
| Seasonal farm work | The main legal way. Group hiring with some countries |
|---|---|
| Truck driver | Companies are short of drivers. Read the guide |
| Construction trades | Trained workers are wanted. Read the guide |
| Factory and warehouse | Permit is hard for helpers. Read the guide |
| Hotel, kitchen, cleaning | Permit is hard for helpers. Read the guide |
| Care for old people | Spanish needed. Often asks for a certificate |
How much you can earn
In 2026 the minimum wage in Spain is €1,221 a month before tax, paid 14 times a year. That is €17,094 a year. If the employer pays 12 times, it is about €1,424 a month. For work paid by the day it is €40.70 a day. Helper jobs often pay the minimum wage or a little more. Trained workers earn more, by the agreement of their sector.
From your pay, about 6.5% goes to social security. Workers on the minimum wage pay little or no income tax.
If you have a trade
Electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, carpenters and cooks usually earn more than general workers, and employers look for them first. But a trade is only useful abroad if you can prove it:
- Bring your training certificate and letters from past employers, with dates and the work you did.
- Some trades, such as electrician and plumber, are regulated. You may need a local licence or an exam before you can work alone.
- Photos or a short video of your work can help in an interview.
Which job is right for you?
- If you are strong and like clear tasks, look at factory, warehouse and construction work.
- If you have a clean licence and driving experience, driver jobs often pay more.
- If you like working with people, look at hotel, kitchen and care work.
- If you have a trade, apply in your trade first. It is the fastest way to better pay.
What you need before you can work in Spain
Spain has high unemployment, so the law protects workers who are already in the country. For people from outside Europe there are two real ways:
- The normal work permit. An employer in Spain asks for a residence and work permit for you. The office says yes only if the job is on the official list of jobs that are hard to fill, or if the employer shows through the public job service that nobody in Spain was found. The list is published every three months and it is short.
- Group hiring in your country. Each year a government order lets Spanish companies hire groups of workers in their home countries, mostly for seasonal farm work. In 2025 about 25,700 workers from 17 countries came this way. It works with countries that have an agreement with Spain, and the selection is done together with the authorities of that country. Seasonal workers must go home when the season ends.
In both cases the employer starts the process while you are still in your country. When the permit is approved, you ask for the visa at the Spanish consulate. You cannot work on a tourist visa. Nobody can promise you a permit.
Costs to plan for
Rent is the biggest cost. It is highest in Madrid, Barcelona and on the islands, and lower in small towns and in the south. From your pay, about 6.5% goes to social security. Income tax depends on your salary, and workers on the minimum wage pay little or none. In seasonal farm work, the employer must offer housing that meets the rules, and the travel is organised for the group. Ask what is taken from your pay for it. Spanish is needed for almost every job.
How to apply safely
- Read the work permit pages of the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
- Ask the labour ministry of your own country if it has a seasonal work programme with Spain.
- Search for jobs on Empléate and EURES, and tell employers from the start that you need a work permit.
- If an employer wants you, the employer asks for the permit in Spain. You wait in your country.
- When the permit is approved, ask for the visa at the Spanish consulate yourself.
These are guides, not live vacancies. We are not an employer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Applying for every job you see. Choose the two or three job types that fit your experience.
- Trusting adverts that promise “visa in 10 days” or “no interview”.
- Travelling on a visitor visa to “find work there”. In most countries you cannot work on a visitor visa.
- Paying anyone for a job offer.
Your rights as a worker in Spain
- You must get a written contract and at least the minimum wage.
- The employer must register you with social security before your first day of work.
- The normal working week is 40 hours on average. Extra hours must be paid or given back as free time.
- You have 30 calendar days of paid holiday a year.
- You are covered by the public health system while you work. Unions and the labour inspection help workers for free.
Protect yourself from fake job offers
- Never pay for a contract or a work permit. The employer asks for the permit and pays the fee for it.
- Seasonal group hiring goes through official offices in your country. Agents who sell “places” in it are not part of the programme.
- Be careful with offers that tell you to enter as a tourist and “fix the papers later”. Working without a permit puts you at risk.
- Check that the company exists and has a real address and tax number in Spain.
Questions people ask
Which job is easiest to get in Spain without a degree?
Jobs with many open places and simple training: factory and warehouse work, cleaning, kitchen help and construction labour. Driver and trade jobs pay more but ask for a licence or proof of skill.
Is there an age limit?
You must be an adult. Employers decide who they hire. The visa rules are explained in this guide.
Can I enter Spain as a tourist and then get a work permit?
As a rule, no. The normal work permit is asked for while you are still in your own country, and you travel only when you have the visa.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Yes, for almost every job. Teams, safety rules and contracts are in Spanish. Start learning before you apply.
More guides for Spain
- Factory jobs in Spain
- Driver jobs in Spain
- Hotel and cleaning jobs in Spain
- Construction jobs in Spain
- How to apply for jobs in Spain
- Spain work visa guide
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and pay change, so always confirm on the official websites before you decide. We are not a recruiter and we never ask for money.
These are guides, not live vacancies. We are not an employer.