Working on a student visa in Spain: hours and requirements

One of the most common questions for those coming to study is whether you can work on a student visa in Spain and how many hours per week the law allows. The good news is that you can: the new Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025) expressly recognises the right to work during a study stay, as long as certain limits and requirements are respected. In this guide we explain, in plain language, what you can and cannot do.

Although it is colloquially called a "student visa", the correct figure is the study stay (estancia por estudios). If you don't have it yet or want to compare your situation with other routes, you can use our immigration route finder to get your bearings before reading on.

Can you work on a student visa in Spain?

Yes. RD 1155/2024 allows people with a study stay to carry out employed or self-employed activities, as long as they are compatible with pursuing their studies and do not compromise the main purpose of the authorisation, which is still to study. In other words, work must be a complement, not the central activity of your stay.

Under the new Regulation, the authorisation to work is understood to be linked to the study stay for higher education itself, so in many cases you do not need to process a separate work authorisation. Always check the specific conditions of your card on the study stay page.

How many hours can you work with a study stay?

The general limit set by RD 1155/2024 is up to 30 hours per week for higher education students, an increase compared with the previous regime, which allowed a maximum of 20 hours. Keep these nuances in mind:

• Work cannot exceed 30 hours per week or interfere with your study programme.
• The activity must be compatible with the timetable and workload of your studies.
• Income from work cannot be the necessary resource for your support: you must still prove sufficient financial means from other sources.
• The contract and conditions must comply with Spanish labour regulations (salary, social security contributions, working hours).

Requirements to work on a student visa

To be able to work during your study stay, as a general rule you must meet the following:

• Having a valid study stay linked to higher education studies (university, higher vocational training, higher artistic education or other equivalent programmes).
• That the work activity is compatible with the studies and does not exceed the hours limit.
• Having an employer or activity that formalises your registration and contributions with Social Security.
• Not having lost your student status or failing to meet the required academic progress.

If your studies are not higher education (for example, language courses or non-regulated education), the conditions for working may be more restrictive or require a specific authorisation. Review your specific case before signing any contract.

Employed and self-employed work

The study stay allows you to work both as an employee (por cuenta ajena) and on your own account (self-employed), within the same limits of compatibility and hours. If your medium-term goal is to stop being a student and dedicate yourself fully to working, the usual path is not to expand the work within the study stay, but to change your situation to a residence and work authorisation.

In that case you may want to learn about the routes of residence and employed work (if you have a job offer) or residence and self-employed work (if you are going to start a business as self-employed).

What happens when you finish your studies?

When you finish your studies, the study stay is not extended indefinitely. To stay and work in a stable way, you will normally have to apply for a change to a residence and work authorisation, meeting the requirements of the corresponding route. Planning this change well in advance prevents you from ending up in an irregular situation between the end of the course and the new authorisation.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours can I work with a study stay?

Under RD 1155/2024, up to 30 hours per week for higher education studies, as long as it is compatible with your study programme and does not replace your financial means.

Do I need a separate work authorisation?

Under the new Regulation, the possibility of working is understood to be linked to the study stay for higher education itself, so in many cases a separate procedure is not needed. Confirm the conditions stated on your card.

Does the work count as financial means for renewal?

Not as the main resource. You must still prove sufficient means through other channels; income from work is considered a complement, not the necessary support for your stay.

Can I work if I am taking a language course?

The right to work is designed above all for higher education studies. In non-regulated education or language courses the conditions may be more limited, so it is worth reviewing each case.

Can I go from student to worker without leaving Spain?

Yes, by changing your situation to a residence and work authorisation, meeting the requirements. Check the residence and work pages to see which one fits you.

Disclaimer: this guide is purely orientative and does not replace individualised legal advice or the official information of the Administration. The regulations and their interpretation may change; always verify the current requirements of your case with the competent bodies or with an immigration professional before making decisions.