Does my employer or I need to start the process?

Your employer must initiate the process. They submit the authorization application (*solicitud de autorización de residencia y trabajo por cuenta ajena*) to the Aliens' Office in the province where you will work. As the applicant, you cannot start this process yourself from abroad.

What is the Shortage Occupation List?

SEPE (Spain's Public Employment Service) publishes a quarterly *Catálogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura* — a province-by-province list of roles where Spanish/EU candidates are structurally unavailable. If your role is on the list for your target province, your employer is exempt from the labor market test, significantly accelerating approval.

What does the visa cost?

Administrative fees (tasas) are approximately €203.84 for roles with a salary below 2× the SMI, or €407.71 for roles at or above 2× the SMI. Consular visa fees additionally range from €80–€150 depending on your nationality (reciprocity principle). Budget additional costs for apostilles, sworn translations, and document legalization.

Does this visa apply to highly paid corporate executives?

Usually no. Senior executives and highly qualified professionals bypass this protectionist system and instead apply for the Highly Qualified Professional (PAC/HQP) visa, which offers much faster processing through the UGE-CE unit and no labor market test.

Can I move to a different employer after arriving?

Your initial authorization is tied to a specific employer and line of work. To change employers within the first 2 years, you must obtain a new work authorization. After 5 years of continuous legal residence you can apply for long-term residence, which is not employer-tied.

How does the renewal cycle work?

Your initial Cuenta Ajena authorization is valid for **1 year**, employer- and province-specific. It can be renewed on a **2+2 year cycle**: first renewal for 2 years, second renewal for 2 years. After **5 years of continuous legal residence** in Spain you become eligible for long-term EU residence (*residencia de larga duración*), which is not tied to any employer or province and offers near-permanent status.

Is a seasonal permit different?

Yes. A shorter *autorización de trabajo de temporada* (seasonal work permit) is available for agriculture, hospitality, and tourism roles. It is valid for up to 9 months within any 12-month period and requires the employer to provide adequate accommodation and cover repatriation costs. The quota for seasonal permits is set annually by the Ministry.

Spain

Standard Work Visa

Cuenta Ajena

EUR 203

Application Fee

30–90 days

Processing Time

12 Months

Maximum Stay

Up to 4x

Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply on the official government website

Last verified: 14 April 2026. Not legal advice.

Can't find what you need?

Explore other visa options for Spain 🇪🇸

Cuenta Propia

View All Spain Visas

Browse all available options

Am I eligible?

Eligibility Status

🌍

Globally AccessibleAll nationalities may apply

Standard Work Visa

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find what you need?

Self-Employed Work Visa

Working Holiday Visa

Highly Qualified Professional Visa

View All Spain Visas

Am I eligible?

Eligibility Status