Formalities for an internship in Spain: a practical guide

Whether you’re a local or an international student, there are a number of administrative and legal formalities to be completed before you can take up an internship in Spain. The steps vary according to the type of internship (academic or non-academic) and your status (resident in Spain or foreign student). Here’s a detailed guide to the steps you need to take to complete an internship in Spain.

FIND AN INTERNSHIP IN SPAIN

The first step is to find an internship that matches your field of study and professional expectations. You can search for internship opportunities via online platforms, company websites, or specialized agencies such as Stud&globe, which facilitates contact between students and Spanish companies by offering only paid internships with assignments that match your educational goals. Our team will also provide support throughout the internship.

FOR EUROPEAN STUDENTS (OUTSIDE SPAIN, EUROPEAN UNION)

Students from the European Union benefit from the same administrative formalities as local students. If you are a European student, the formalities are simplified:

• Internship agreement: Like local students, you must sign an internship agreement with the company, stipulating the terms and conditions of the internship. Your training center will provide you with this document.
• NIE: You will need to obtain your çétramger identity number (NIE) – More information on our service to help you obtain this number.
• Social security: If you are doing a paid internship, you must be registered with the Spanish social security system. Your host company will take care of this for you upon presentation of your NIE.
• European Health Insurance Card: You can obtain this on the AMELI website if you are French. If you come from another European country, you will need to contact your social security center to find out how to obtain it.

FORMALITIES FOR NON-EUROPEAN STUDENTS

For non-European students (international students from outside the EU), the formalities are a little more complex. Here’s what you need to do:

• Visa de Prácticas (Internship Visa): Non-European students must obtain an internship visa to carry out an internship in Spain. The internship visa is specific to the duration and conditions of your internship, and must be applied for at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country.
• Insurance and Social Security: Non-European students on paid internships must also be registered with the Spanish social security system. In addition, international health insurance may be required to ensure that you are covered in the event of a medical problem during your stay.
• Registering with the local authorities: Once in Spain, some non-European students must register with the Spanish national police to obtain a foreign identification number (NIE) and complete the administrative formalities required for their stay.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

• Duration of internship: The duration of an internship in Spain can vary from a few months to a year, depending on the company and the program of study. Academic internships are often limited to a maximum of 6 months, but this can vary.
• Working hours: The maximum working week for an intern is 40 hours. Working hours must be clearly defined in the internship contract.
• Trainee rights: Trainees in Spain enjoy certain rights, such as the right to time off (depending on the length of the placement), a safe working environment and appropriate training.

OTHER IMPORTANT FORMALITIES

• Bank account: If you come from outside the European Union, we recommend that you open a bank account in Spain to receive your salary (if applicable) and manage your finances during your stay.
• Accommodation: Although it’s not an administrative formality, finding suitable accommodation is essential for a successful stay. Many companies offer housing assistance, but it’s often necessary to look for it yourself, especially if you’re an international student.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, doing an internship in Spain involves a number of administrative formalities, from finding an internship to signing an internship agreement, checking insurance coverage and obtaining a visa if necessary. Make sure you understand your rights and obligations, and don’t hesitate to ask your employer or university any questions you may have about the formalities associated with your internship.

Whether you’re a European or non-European student, Stud&Globe can support you in this process, offering you access to well-paid internship opportunities and guiding you through the administrative formalities to ensure a successful experience in Spain.