One of the most frequent questions among international students is whether they can combine their studies with a job in Spain. The answer remains affirmative, but the process has been radically simplified due to the recent reforms in the Foreigners Regulation (Reglamento de Extranjería), which fully entered into force in 2025.
The authorization to work is no longer a complex, separate visa, but a complementary right automatically granted alongside the Study Stay Authorization. Its objective is to allow students to generate income to cover expenses without the employment interfering with their academic training.
In this guide, we detail the new requirements, the limits, and how the student work permit functions in the new Spanish legal framework.
Key Change: Automatic Work Authorization
The most significant change is that for students enrolled in higher education (university degrees, Master’s, Ph.D., or official regulated training), the work permit component is granted automatically. This means the employer no longer needs to file a separate work authorization request with the Oficina de Extranjería.
The Study Stay Authorization (TIE) itself now implicitly grants permission to work.
Requirements for the Student (Automatic Work Authorization)
- Valid Stay Authorization: Must hold a valid Study Stay Authorization (Autorización de Estancia por Estudios).
- Compatibility: The employment must be compatible with the studies. The work schedule must not clash with class times, and the student must maintain satisfactory academic performance.
- Limit: The work activity cannot exceed 30 hours per week. This limit applies whether the employment is as an employee (por cuenta ajena) or self-employed (por cuenta propia).
- Wages: The salary must respect the minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional – SMI) or the collective agreement for the hours worked.
Requirements for the Employer
Although the permit is automatic, the employer still has obligations related to the contract and Social Security:
- Contract: The employer must sign a work contract with the student, clearly specifying the part-time status (maximum 30 hours weekly). The contract must respect the compatibility rule.
- Social Security & Taxes: The employer must register the student with the Social Security system (Alta en la Seguridad Social) before they begin work and be current with all tax and Social Security obligations.
- No Prior Filing Required: The employer does not need to prove the national employment situation or submit the Form EX-12 (as was previously required).
Types of Work Allowed and Limitations
The student work permit is flexible and allows for both primary types of work activity:
Validity Limitation: This authorization is valid only during the official duration of the Study Stay Authorization (TIE). If the studies end or the TIE expires, the work permit automatically ceases to be valid.
Application and Timeframes
While the work authorization itself is automatic, the employer must complete the final administrative step related to the contract:
- Student Secures Offer: The student finds a job offer compatible with their studies.
- Employer/Student Communication: The employer and student coordinate the contract (part-time, maximum 30h).
- Social Security Registration: The employer registers the student with the Social Security system before the start date. This is done through the standard procedure for any employee, referencing the student’s TIE number.
- No Extranjería Filing (Generally): Because the work right is granted automatically by the TIE, the employer does not need to submit Form EX-00 or EX-12 to the Oficina de Extranjería.
- Silencio Administrativo (Original Stay): The resolution time for the initial Study Stay Authorization is generally 1 month. If no response is received, the application is usually considered denied by negative administrative silence (silencio administrativo negativo).
The automatic student work permit is an excellent way to fund life in Spain and gain professional experience in an international environment. With this new simplification, the process is streamlined and highly favorable for international students.
If you need personalized assistance, at Entre Trámites we offer management and advisory services on immigration matters. You can contact us through this contact form for us to call you, or if you prefer, you can schedule a free consultation or write to us on WhatsApp.
