Hiring Guide for Employers
Everything you need to know about hiring international tech talent in Spain — from contracts to visa sponsorship.
Overview
Spain's tech talent pool is growing rapidly, but competition for top engineers is fierce. Many companies now look beyond borders to attract the best people. Understanding Spain's employment framework will help you hire efficiently and stay compliant.
Whether you're a Spanish startup, a multinational with a local office, or a foreign company hiring remotely in Spain, this guide covers the essentials.
Employment Contracts
Spanish labour law defines several contract types. Choosing the right one is critical:
Indefinido (Permanent)
The standard contract for full-time hires. Offers the strongest employee protections and is the default choice for most tech roles.
Temporal (Fixed-Term)
For specific projects or temporary increases in workload. Post-2022 reform limits these to 6–12 months with strict justification requirements.
Key Legal Points
- Trial period: up to 6 months for senior/technical roles
- Objective dismissal requires 15 calendar days written notice (or pay in lieu, where applicable)
- Severance: 20 days per year worked for objective dismissal, 33 for unfair dismissal
- 14 monthly payments is standard (salary split over 14 pay periods, with extras in June and December)
Visa Sponsorship for Employers
Sponsoring a non-EU employee involves several steps, but it's increasingly streamlined for tech roles:
Standard Work Visa Process
- Apply for work authorisation at the Oficina de Extranjería
- Labour market test may be required (proving no suitable EU candidate)
- Employee applies for visa at Spanish consulate in their home country
- Processing time: 2–4 months typically
Fast-Track Options
- Highly Qualified Professional visa: ~20 business days, no labour market test
- EU Blue Card: for roles meeting Spain's annual threshold (generally 1.4x average gross annual salary)
- Intra-company transfers: for multinational relocations
- Startup Law visa: streamlined process for companies certified as innovative
Salary Benchmarks
Competitive salaries are key to attracting international talent. Here are typical ranges for Spain-based tech roles:
Junior Engineer
€24,000 – €35,000
Mid-Level Engineer
€35,000 – €55,000
Senior Engineer
€50,000 – €75,000
Engineering Manager
€65,000 – €95,000
International companies and remote roles benchmarked to higher-cost markets may exceed these ranges significantly.
Social Security & Payroll
Understanding employer obligations is essential for budgeting and compliance:
Employer Costs (on top of gross salary)
- Social Security contributions: ~30% of gross salary (employer portion)
- Employee contribution: ~6.4% (deducted from salary)
- Covers: healthcare, unemployment, pension, and disability insurance
- Occupational accident insurance: varies by industry (0.9%–7.15%)
Payroll Basics
- Payslips (nóminas) must be provided monthly
- IRPF (income tax) is withheld at source by the employer
- Annual tax declarations (Modelo 190, 111) are mandatory
- Most companies use payroll providers like PayFit, Personio, or local gestorías
Common Benefits
Offering competitive benefits helps you stand out in Spain's tech hiring market:
Private Health Insurance
Nearly universal among tech companies. Costs €50–€150/employee/month.
Meal Vouchers
Tax-exempt up to €11/day. A popular benefit that's easy to implement via providers like Sodexo or Edenred.
Flexible Retribution
Allows employees to allocate pre-tax salary to childcare, transport, and training — reducing their tax burden.
Remote Work Policy
Remote work agreements are now regulated (Ley 10/2021). Employers must cover remote work expenses.
Tips for Hiring International Talent
Move Fast
Be Transparent About Compensation
Offer Relocation Support
Highlight the Beckham Law
Last updated: February 2026. Employment regulations change — always consult a local labour lawyer for specific cases.
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