Which documents do you need to do an internship in Spain?

You have just been accepted onto an internship in Spain. Congratulations! However, now comes the part that can seem scary. That’s normal. There are few things more daunting than administrative tasks. This article is here to simplify the whole process. From experience, everything seems far easier when the term “simple steps” is included in the description.

You need to be enrolled in an educational institution as an internship is seen as part of a student’s education.

This is the legal document which gives students permission to do the internship. It is signed by the student, the school and by the company with which you will do the internship. It sets out the general terms and responsibilities of all parties.

Any foreigner who does a paid internship in Spain should have a valid NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero). The NIE allows the company to add the student to the Social Security and therefore receive a salary.

For students who are from the European Union it is possible to visit the Spanish Consulate in your country if your internship is for less than 3 months. If your internship is for more than 3 months then you can process the NIE in the city in which you do the internship in Spain.

For students from outside of the EU it is necessary to have a visa to do an internship in Spain. This Visa counts as a NIE once you arrive in Spain. Please remember that this is not a tourist’s Visa but a Visa that allows you to do an internship. Make sure to start the process with plenty of time to spare.

Companies that offer a salary to students have to put them in the company’s Social Security. Make sure that you have a valid NIE and also a Número de Afiliación a la Seguridad Social to have access to this. You can ask for this number in the Social Security Office.

It is important to have a valid insurance policy during your internship. Normally this is covered by the schools and universities. If it so happens that the educational institution does not offer an insurance policy then the student should find an insurance policy themselves. IES Consulting offers some insurance policies on our web page.

So, there you have it; HOW TO DO AN INTERNSHIP IN SPAIN IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS. We hope that this short guide helps to make the process seem much easier for you.

Frequently asked questions about documents required for an internship in Spain :

Is it possible to live in Spain without a NIE ? 

Yes, it is possible to live in Spain without an NIE, however, you will not be able to receive any remuneration while you are mobile and you will pay more for certain daily goods such as public transport.

How do I obtain a NIE from abroad ?

To obtain an NIE from abroad, you must contact the nearest Spanish consulate. You can make an appointment via the Internet and the waiting time is approximately one month.