Thinking of Coming to Spain as a Researcher?
Whether you're planning a short-term visit, a research collaboration, or a long-term career move, Spain offers a wide range of opportunities for researchers. This page provides a brief overview of your options to enter and stay in Spain, depending on your research activity and duration of stay.
For personalized guidance, contact the EURAXESS Center at your host institution. The EURAXESS Spain Network, composed of 116 centers, is here to support you.
If your institution does not have a EURAXESS Center, reach out to the National Coordinator at the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) via email: euraxess-spain@fecyt.es .
General Considerations
Research Activity in Spain
There are two ways that you can perform research in Spain independently of the time you stay:
- As a Visiting Researcher
This includes collaborations, staff exchanges, or sabbaticals. You’ll need a host agreement, which can be an invitation letter detailing the purpose, duration, and description of your research. You must also provide proof of financial means and private health insurance. Your permit will be valid for the duration of your visit. - As an Employed Researcher
If you are financially compensated by a Spanish institution (university, research center, company, etc.), you must be formally hired. Stipends are not permitted under Spanish Science and Technology Law. PhD candidates are considered employees and researchers. Your residence permit will match the duration of your employment contract.
Who is considered a researcher in Spain?
According to Spanish Science and Technology Law, researchers are individuals with the required qualifications who engage in systematic, creative work to expand knowledge and its applications. This includes PhD candidates.
Entry Conditions
You will need a visa to enter Spain, unless you are under one of these circumstances:
- EU and EES Citizens: No visa required. If staying longer than 3 months, check arrival procedures for EU and EES-citizens below
- Non-EU Citizens with a Residence Permit from another EU Member State staying in Spain for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Non-EU Citizens from Visa-Exempt Countries staying in Spain for up to 90 days but cannot work or conduct research. Check the list of visa-exempt countries here.
In other cases, you and any accompanying family members will need a visa to enter Spain. These are the different type of visa:
- A Type C visa: For stays under 90 days.
- A Type D visa: For stays over 90 days. There are different types of visas that researchers can benefit from. Your visa will match the type of residence or stay permit that you will be granted:
- Researcher Visa: matched with a permit for researchers
- Residence Visa: matched with a work-exempt residence permit.
- Highly Qualified Professional Visa: matched with a Blue Card.
- Stay Visa: matched with a student permit. This is the case for PhD candidates (R1), although they can also benefit from Researcher Visa as they are considered researcher.
For stays longer than 90 days, you need a permit to reside in Spain,whether you have entered with visa or not. In the case of EU and EES Citizen, they will need to register into the Central Register of citizens of a Member State of the European Union (see below).
If you apply for a residence permit outside of Spanish boarders, you will need a visa in any case if you are non-EU or EES Citizen. Your visa will match the type of residence permit you will be granted.
Residence Permits for Researchers
If you are coming to Spain to carry out research, there are two main types of residence permits available depending on your situation and the host institution.
Researcher Permit
You can apply for a Researcher Permit if you are coming to Spain to conduct research, whether you are employed by a Spanish institution or visiting for a collaboration. PhD candidates are also considered researchers (R1).
You may perform your research at any public or private organization in Spain that engages in R&D activities.
Your host institution or future employer in Spain must submit the application.
- From Abroad.
The process involves two steps:- 1st step: Your host institution applies for the residence and work permit
- 2nd step: You apply for:
- A research visa (if staying longer than 90 days), or
- A short-stay visa (if staying less than 90 days).
- From Spain.
If you are already in Spain legally, your host institution can apply directly. In this case, you do not need a visa.
Important note: No other visa types are valid for this permit.
- The Researcher Permit is issued by The Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE).
- The visa is issued by the Spanish Consulate closer to your residence.
From Abroad:
- UGE: Up to 20 working days if there is no extra information required
- Consulate: Up to 10 working days after the permit is approved and the visa applied.
- From Spain:
- UGE: Up to 20 working days if there is no extra information required
The permit is valid for the duration of your research activity (contract, collaboration, or visit), up to 3 years. It can be renewed for up to 5 years. After that, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
No. There is no minimum stay required to apply for this permit.
Yes. Your host institution—or you, once your permit is granted—can apply for residence permits for eligible family members. Spouses or registered partners are also allowed to work in Spain. Check with your EURAXESS Center who is an eligible family member.
- Copy of your passport
- Criminal record certificate from the last 2 years of residence
- Proof of financial means (unless employed, but your salary must be above the Spanish minimum interprofessional salary (SMI))
- Proof of medical coverage (unless employed; then, you will be covered by public healthcare)
If bringing family members:
- Marriage or partnership certificate
- Their criminal record certificates
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- For other dependents (e.g., parents or adult children), consult your EURAXESS Center
With the Research Permit you will be able to extend your residency for 1 year for job searching. Meanwhile, you can benefit of your unemployment benefits.
Permit for Work Activity Exemption
Any researcher coming to Spain to conduct research, either as an employee or visitor, may apply.
This permit is valid only for research conducted at universities or public research institutes.
You, the researcher, must submit the application individually.
- From Abroad. You must apply for entry and the residence visa simultaneously. It is a one-step process.
- From Spain.
If you are already in Spain legally, you can apply up to two months before your current status expires. No visa is required if you are already in Spain
Important note: No other visa types are valid for this permit.
- From Abroad: The Spanish Consulate in your country of residence
- From Spain: The Foreign Office in the province where you will conduct your research
- From Abroad: Up to 1.5 months
- From Spain: Up to 2 months
The permit is valid for the duration of your research activity, up to 1 year.
Your stay must be longer than 90 days.
No. Family members cannot be included under this permit. They must apply separately for a family reunification residence permit..
- Copy of your passport
- Criminal record certificate from the last 5 years of residence
- Proof of financial means
- Proof of medical coverage
Documentation Requirements for Visa and Residence Permits
Researchers from non-EU or non-EEA countries must meet specific requirements when preparing documentation for visa and residence/work permit applications in Spain. Below are the key features to consider:
- Legalisation or Apostille:
If you are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country, all official certificates submitted for entry visa or residence and work permit applications must be legalised or apostilled, regardless of the country where the documents were issued. - Validity of Documents:
All documents must be issued within six months prior to submission. Older documents will not be accepted. Applicants should carefully plan the collection of documents, considering the processing times and validity periods set by the issuing authorities in their home country. - Passport Requirements for Visa application:
Your passport must be:- Valid at the time of the residence permit application
- Valid for the entire duration of the visa
- Issued at least one month before the visa application is submitted.
Coordination and Personal Information for Entry Procedures
- Planning and Coordination:
It is strongly recommended to coordinate with your EURAXESS Center or the relevant department at your host institution to ensure all documentation is prepared correctly and submitted on time. - Previous Visits to Spain:
Inform your EURAXESS Center or the personnel assisting you about any previous visits or stays in Spain or other Schengen country. This information is important for processing your application accurately. - Accompanying Family Members:
If your family is joining you, the same information regarding previous stays in Spain or other Schengen country must be provided for each accompanying member. This will help ensure the correct procedures are followed for family permits