Spain Allows Short-Term Work Permits for Foreign Workers Under New Rules

Spain has opened the door to Short-Term Work Permits for foreign professionals, something it didn’t allow under key immigration categories until now. If you’re heading to Spain for a brief assignment, short-term project, or remote work stint, this change makes it easier to get the right permit without committing to a full 90-day stay.

What’s Changed?

Until now, Spanish authorities have refused to grant work permits under the Entrepreneurs Law for any period shorter than 90 days. That rule made short-term assignments a no-go under categories like:

• Highly Qualified Professional
• EU Blue Card
• Researcher
• Intra-Company Transfer
• Digital Nomad

Spain has removed that restriction in the latest update. Authorities can now issue these permits for stays under 90 days, better reflecting how short-term international work happens.

Why It Matters

In real terms, this is a practical shift. Let’s say a tech firm wants to bring over a specialist for a one-month consulting project, or a startup needs a visiting researcher for a few weeks; before, these permits weren’t an option. Now they are.

This is especially useful for employers and professionals who don’t want to navigate Spain’s short-stay Schengen visa route but still need proper work authorisation for legal and tax reasons.

What Hasn’t Changed

Other permit rules still apply. You’ll still need to meet the eligibility criteria for each permit type; this isn’t a shortcut around the usual documentation or qualifications.

General Regime permits are untouched. If you’re applying under Spain’s General Regime, which includes general work permits, non-lucrative visas, and family reunification, you’re still looking at a minimum 90-day stay requirement.

Quick Context: Spain’s Dual System

Spain’s immigration framework operates on two tracks:

1. General Regime: The traditional, bureaucratic route. It’s slower and often less flexible.
2. Entrepreneurs Law: This one’s geared toward fast-tracking foreign professionals, tech workers, researchers, and digital nomads. It’s the path that just got the short-stay update.

What this means is: if you’re coming to Spain to work for a startup, contribute to research, or join a company on a limited-term project, your permit can now reflect the actual duration of your assignment, not some arbitrary 90-day threshold.

Final Thoughts

If Spain’s on your shortlist for professional travel, tenancy, or digital nomad hubs, keep this shift on your radar. It shows how Spanish immigration policy continues to adapt to evolving global work trends, making Spain a more accessible destination for short-term, high-impact projects.

For the savvy traveller and globe-trotting pro, these permit changes can make a big difference in planning and flexibility, cutting down unnecessary wait times and aligning paperwork with real-world needs.