Working in Spain from the UK: routes and requirements 

Since Brexit, British citizens are treated as non-EU nationals when it comes to working in Spain — meaning a visa is required, and which one depends entirely on your circumstances. It is a more involved process than before 2021, but several genuine, well-established routes exist, and one in particular — the Digital Nomad Visa — has opened up a path that simply did not exist in the immediate post-Brexit years. This guide sets out what actually applies today, focused specifically on working. For the full technical detail across every Spanish visa type and nationality — including options like the EU Blue Card or intra-company transfers that fall outside the scope of this guide — our comprehensive guide to visas for Spain covers that fuller picture.

Can I move to Spain first and look for a job?

Not in any way that lets you then start working. As a non-EU national, you can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen zone in any 180-day period without a visa — and Spain, like the rest of the EU except Ireland and Cyprus, is part of it. As of 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria completed full Schengen membership too, including land borders, bringing the zone to 29 countries.

This means you can visit Spain for up to three months and make informal enquiries about work, but you cannot legally start a job during that time. To work, you need a visa arranged before you arrive — or, in the case of the Digital Nomad Visa, before you begin working from Spain.

Sponsored work visas for UK citizens in Spain

For a traditional employment role, you need a confirmed job offer from a Spanish company willing to sponsor your visa application — you cannot apply for a general work visa independently and then start job-hunting once it is granted. The employer files the application on your behalf with Spain's Ministry of Labour.

In practice, companies are generally only willing to sponsor a visa where the role requires a skill that is difficult to fill locally, or where the job appears on Spain's official shortage occupation list. This makes it unlikely you will be sponsored for a typical entry-level tourism or hospitality role, particularly a seasonal one — though seasonal sponsorship is possible in high-demand industries, provided the employer processes the visa and can show you have accommodation and travel costs covered for the length of the contract.

Processing generally takes one to three months once the employer has filed the application, though this can extend further during busy periods or if additional documentation is requested.

Finding an employer willing to sponsor you is the real challenge here. Securing your first job in Spain sets out practical strategies for the search itself, and the top jobs for expats in Spain tend to be where demand for foreign workers is strongest.

The Digital Nomad Visa: often the better route for remote workers

If you work remotely for a company based outside Spain, or freelance with the majority of your clients outside the country, the Digital Nomad Visa is very likely a faster and more straightforward route than a general work or self-employed visa — and immigration specialists frequently recommend it over the self-employed route specifically for this reason. It did not exist when the UK first left the EU, and has become one of the most significant changes to the picture since. The application process, step by step, is covered in working remotely from Spain.

To qualify, you need to be employed by a company outside Spain, or self-employed with at least 80% of your income coming from clients outside the country (a maximum of 20% may come from Spanish clients). You will also need a university degree or at least three years of relevant professional experience, and to demonstrate an income of approximately €2,850 a month for a single applicant as of 2026 — a figure tied to 200% of Spain's minimum wage and reviewed annually, so it is worth checking the current threshold before applying. Additional income is required for any dependants joining you.

One further advantage: Digital Nomad Visa holders can generally apply for Spain's reduced flat tax rate for new residents, taxing Spanish-sourced income at 24% rather than the standard progressive rates — a significant benefit for higher earners relocating under this route.

Processing is typically faster than other work-related routes, often around one month once a complete application is submitted, and you can apply either from the UK or, in some cases, after entering Spain as a visitor.

Self-employed visa requirements for UK citizens

If the Digital Nomad Visa does not apply to you — for example, if the majority of your income will come from Spanish clients, or you plan to set up a business serving the local market rather than working remotely — the Self-Employed (Autónomo) Visa is the relevant route instead.

How much you need to earn

The personal income threshold for this visa is lower than many buyers expect: 100% of Spain's IPREM index, currently around €600 a month or €7,200 a year. However, you will also need to submit a viable business plan, generally endorsed by a relevant professional association, and demonstrate access to €10,000 to €15,000 in start-up funds to show your business can realistically sustain itself. Once approved, ongoing monthly Social Security contributions typically start at a reduced flat rate for the first 12 months, before rising to a standard bracket based on net income.

Sole trader or limited company?

If you plan to work as a sole trader or freelancer, this route is generally more achievable if the majority of your income comes from corporate clients who can confirm a long-term working relationship in writing. If you intend to set up a limited company (sociedad limitada) instead, you will need a formal business plan and proof of the capital required to establish it. Once your visa is approved, registering as self-employed in Spain is the next practical step.

Processing for the self-employed visa typically takes one to two months from a complete application. It is also worth knowing that switching between visa types is generally possible without leaving Spain — for example, someone who initially moved on a Non-Lucrative Visa and later starts a business can usually apply to change to a self-employed visa from within the country, rather than starting the process over from the UK.

Once your business is registered, you will also need a dedicated account — opening a business bank account in Spain explains what Spanish banks typically expect.

Other ways to work in Spain

Under-30s: the au pair visa

If you are aged 18 to 30, an au pair visa is available, provided you have a written placement contract with a host family and can show sufficient funds to support yourself. It covers only the agreed placement period, though it can be renewed if the family wants you to stay longer.

Teaching English

Language academies remain one of the more accessible sponsorship routes, particularly for native English speakers with a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA qualification. The practical constraint is salary: academy pay is often not high enough to meet the income threshold required for a standard work visa, so this route works best combined with private tuition, or pursued via the Digital Nomad Visa if you can build a client base of remote or international students. Qualifications and where demand is strongest are covered in teaching English in Spain as an expat.

British and English-speaking employers in Spain

Companies serving a primarily British or English-speaking customer base — whether a UK company with a Spanish base, or a business run by British nationals in Spain — are sometimes more willing to sponsor a native English speaker. This does narrow your job search geographically, typically to areas with a strong international population, and will not suit anyone hoping for full immersion in a Spanish-speaking workplace.

Which route is realistic for you?

• Working remotely for a non-Spanish employer or mostly non-Spanish clients: the Digital Nomad Visa is very likely your best option
• Have a confirmed job offer from a Spanish company: a standard sponsored work visa, provided the employer is willing to sponsor it
• Setting up a business serving the Spanish market, or self-employed with mostly Spanish clients: the Self-Employed (Autónomo) Visa
• Aged 18 to 30 and open to a placement: the au pair visa
• Teaching English: language academies, private tuition, or the Digital Nomad Visa if working with international students remotely

Whichever route applies, income requirements are central to every visa application — income requirements for moving to Spain from the UK sets out the figures for non-working visas in detail, and is worth reading alongside this guide if you are still deciding which route fits your situation. Once you have a job in Spain, employment law and workers' rights in Spain sets out what you are entitled to, while the tax guide for expats covers what you will owe and when. Looking further ahead, obtaining residency in Spain explains how these routes lead towards permanent status over time.