Authorisation of residence for professional internships in Spain: step-by-step

TL;DR

TL;DR — Non-EU students doing a full professional internship in Spain (not tied to a study programme) need the Autorización de residencia por prácticas. Below: exactly which route applies to you, the documents, and the realistic 60–120 day timeline.

Which authorisation do you actually need?

There are two routes for foreign interns:

Route A — Student visa with internship authorisation

For students whose internship is part of their academic studies (Convenio de Prácticas from a home or Spanish university). This is what most Erasmus+ and university-linked interns use. See our student visa updates 2026 guide.

Route B — Authorisation of Residence for Professional Internships

For candidates who:

Already hold a foreign degree obtained in the last 2 years (or are in the final year of study)
Have signed an internship agreement with a Spanish employer
Are NOT enrolled in a Spanish academic programme

This is the Autorización de residencia por prácticas and it's what this guide covers.

Who this route is for

Recent graduates from non-EU universities
Professionals in final-year study wanting practice in their field
Candidates matched with a Spanish company through non-academic channels

Prerequisites

Foreign degree obtained less than 2 years ago (or in your final year)
Written internship agreement (contrato de prácticas)
The internship must relate to your degree
Minimum duration 3 months, maximum 2 years
The employer must be Spanish-registered

Documents required

From you

Passport valid 12+ months
Passport photo
Criminal record certificate (apostilled + translated) covering last 5 years
Medical certificate (no communicable diseases)
Copy of your degree (apostilled + translated)
Health insurance covering Spain

From the host company

The signed convenio or contrato de prácticas
Company tax certificates (CIF, alta en Hacienda)
Evidence the internship links to your qualification

Forms

EX-14 — application form for the authorisation
Modelo 790-052 — tax payment (~€400 in 2026 for the authorisation)
Modelo 790-062 — foreign identity fee

The step-by-step process

Step 1 — Company applies for the authorisation

Your host company (or their gestor) files the EX-14 with the Extranjería in the province where the internship will take place. You are not in Spain yet.

Step 2 — Authorisation granted (30–45 days)

Once approved, you'll receive a resolution allowing you to apply for the visa at your local Spanish consulate.

Step 3 — Visa application at consulate

Book an appointment. Bring the authorisation + your personal documents. Fee ~€60.

Step 4 — Visa issued (10–30 days)

You'll receive a national D visa allowing you to enter Spain within a set window.

Step 5 — TIE application after arrival

Within 30 days of arrival, book your TIE appointment. Follow our TIE guide.

Realistic total timeline

Stage	Time
Employer files authorisation	30–45 days
Visa application at consulate	10–30 days
Arrival + TIE appointment booked	Week 1 in Spain
TIE issued	30–45 days after appointment
Total from first filing to card	90–150 days

Plan for four months minimum from when the company files to when you have your TIE.

Key differences vs the student route

Factor	Student visa route	Autorización de prácticas
Who applies	You (with acceptance letter)	Employer
Filing location	Spanish consulate in your country	Extranjería in Spain
Fee	€60–€99 visa fee	€400 + €60
Timeline	3–8 weeks	3–5 months
Convenio	With university	With employer
Study hours	Required	Not applicable
Renewal	Yes, annually	Yes, up to 2 years total

Common rejection reasons

Degree more than 2 years old at time of application
Internship activity not linked to the degree
Company doesn't meet Social Security or tax obligations
Missing apostille or translation on any document
Health insurance with co-pays or exclusions

Key takeaways

This route is employer-led, not student-led. Filed from Spain, not your home country.
Realistic timeline is 3–5 months end to end.
The activity must clearly link to your degree.
Once you have the TIE, you're set for up to two years.

FAQ

Can I work outside the internship? No — the authorisation is limited to the internship activity at the sponsoring company.

Can I bring family? Family reunification is very limited on this authorisation. Plan solo.

What happens at the end? You can renew (up to 2 years total), transition to a work visa if the company sponsors you, or return home. Renewal must be filed 60 days before expiry.

Does time on this authorisation count toward Spanish residency? Yes — days count toward the 5-year long-term residence permit and eventual citizenship consideration.