📋 This comprehensive guide covers all the essential documents and administrative steps you need to complete.
In this practical guide, we break down all the required documents and the administrative procedures you need to follow to complete an internship in Spain.
Doing an internship in Spain is a highly enriching experience, both personally and professionally. With its Mediterranean climate, quality of life and strong economic dynamism, the country attracts thousands of European students every year, especially from France. But before you head to Barcelona, Madrid or Valencia, several administrative formalities are mandatory. Whether you are a student or a host company, it is crucial to understand the required documents and legal obligations to ensure that the internship complies with Spanish legislation.
At Stud&Globe, we support both students and companies at every stage: from the internship search to administrative management right through to the end of the placement, ensuring a smooth, legal and secure mobility experience.
1. The NIE: Foreign Identification Number — the essential document
The NIE is the essential document required for any type of internship in Spain, whether paid or unpaid.
The NIE is required in order to:
- sign an internship agreement or contract,
- receive remuneration or a stipend,
- be registered with Social Security,
- open a bank account,
- sign a housing or phone contract.
In 2025, the application can be made:
- directly in Spain, at the Foreigners’ Office or a national police station,
- from France, via the Spanish consulate.
Required documents:
- A valid passport or national ID card,
- Completed EX-15 form,
- A motivation letter explaining the reason for your request,
- A copy of your internship agreement,
- Proof of address,
- Payment of the administrative fee.
⚠️ GOOD TO KNOW! Processing time varies by region and can take between 2 and 4 weeks. https://studandglobe.com/en/internship-abroad/spain/nie/
For more information: Official NIE Guide – Application Procedure
2. Registration with the Spanish Social Security
Every student completing an internship in Spain must have a Spanish Social Security affiliation number in order to be registered and covered in case of an accident.
The host company is responsible for this registration if:
- the internship is paid (even partially),
- the intern already has a NIE.
⚠️ GOOD TO KNOW! For unpaid internships, healthcare coverage is provided by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which must be requested from your health insurance provider in France before departure.
Documents to provide to the company:
- A copy of your NIE,
- The signed internship agreement,
- Your passport or national ID card,
- Your French Social Security number (for reference).
3. The internship agreement: a mandatory and regulated document
The internship agreement is mandatory for all internships in Spain. It formalizes the relationship between the student, the educational institution and the host company.
It must include:
- The contact details of all three parties (student, school, company),
- The start and end dates of the internship,
- The amount of any compensation,
- The assigned tasks and working hours,
- The contact details of the internship supervisor,
- The insurance coverage provided.
⚠️ GOOD TO KNOW! The maximum duration of an internship in Spain is 12 months per study cycle (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD). A student cannot exceed this limit, even when completing multiple internships. 📅
4. Obligations of the host company
The Spanish host company welcoming the intern must:
- Sign a compliant internship agreement,
- Register the intern with Social Security if the internship is paid,
- Provide workplace accident insurance,
- Offer proper supervision and assign a tutor,
- Respect the agreed working conditions and hours,
- Provide an internship certificate upon completion.
💡 Stud&Globe assists partner companies with these procedures to ensure compliance and simplify the recruitment of international interns.
5. Insurance and medical coverage
Students from the European Union benefit from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers necessary medical care during their stay in Spain.
Stud&Globe nevertheless recommends a comprehensive additional insurance that includes civil liability and repatriation coverage, which is required by many schools and partner companies.
6. Summary: documents required for an internship in Spain
To comply with 2025 regulations, students must have:
- A NIE (Foreign Identification Number),
- A signed internship agreement,
- A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC),
- A Spanish Social Security number (if the internship is paid),
- Additional insurance.
👉 Would you like to host an international intern?
Schedule a call with our Partnerships Manager
so we can promote your internship offer.
