Seasonal Work Authorisation in Spain

Temporary residence and work for seasonal campaigns in Spain

Spain's Seasonal Work Authorisation is a specific temporary residence and work permit aimed at short-term, seasonal and campaign-based employment. It is widely used in agricultural harvests, tourism peaks and other sectors with concentrated labour needs.

The authorisation is designed to balance Spain's temporary labour demand with safe, legal and regulated working conditions for foreign nationals, and it imposes clear obligations on employers regarding accommodation, travel and mandatory return to the country of origin.

At NomadTaxSpain, we advise both employers and workers throughout the process, from planning the campaign to complying with return requirements.

What is the Seasonal Work Authorisation?

The Seasonal Work Authorisation is a temporary residence and work permit that allows a foreign worker to:

• Enter Spain legally for a specific seasonal or campaign job.
• Work under a regulated employment contract.
• Reside in Spain for the duration of the authorised activity.
• Return to their country of origin at the end of the contract.

The worker's stay in Spain is strictly linked to the seasonal activity, and the legal framework includes guarantees and controls to protect both the employer and the worker.

Who applies for the authorisation?

The application must always be submitted by the employer (or an authorised representative) in Spain, not by the worker.

Applications may be:

• Individual: for a single worker.
• Collective: campaign-based hiring for multiple workers, often coordinated through specific programmes or bilateral agreements.

Official forms & fees

• Application Form EX-06

  Used to request the temporary residence and work permit for seasonal or campaign activities. It includes:

  • Full employer and worksite details.
  • Characteristics of the job and tasks.
  • Duration of the campaign.
  • List of proposed workers (in collective applications).
• Fee – Form 790 / Code 062

  Covers temporary residence and work for seasonal or campaign activities. The amount is usually slightly above €10 and is updated periodically.

Required documentation

This type of authorisation requires detailed and rigorous documentation, especially in collective hiring programmes. Typical requirements include:

1. Employer documentation

• Completed and signed EX-06 form.
• Official employment contract(s) specifying duration, working hours, salary and conditions aligned with the applicable collective agreement.
• Employer identification:
  • Companies: NIF, articles of incorporation, powers.
  • Individuals: DNI or NIE.
• Proof of economic solvency.
• Evidence of being up to date with tax and Social Security obligations.
• Proof of registration and activity with Social Security.
• Written commitment to organise and fund the worker's return at the end of the campaign.
• Proof that the worker has been informed about rights and obligations.

2. Accommodation & welfare

• Documentation proving the availability of adequate accommodation (habitability, equipment and safety conditions).
• Health insurance if public healthcare coverage is not automatically provided.
• Access to orientation or training if required by the specific programme or sector.

3. Worker documentation

• Full valid passport, with validity beyond the duration of the contract.
• Written commitment to return to the country of origin at the end of the authorisation.
• Declaration of no criminal record in Spain or in any country of residence during the previous five years.
• No entry bans to Spain or other Schengen states.
• In collective campaigns: list of workers with full identifying information.

4. Additional requirements

• Proof that the national employment situation allows seasonal hiring, or evidence of an applicable exemption.
• Legalised/apostilled and sworn-translated foreign documents, as required by law.
• Payment receipts for the relevant administrative fees.

Key requirements for approval

To be approved, the employer and worker must jointly demonstrate:

• The activity is genuinely seasonal or strictly limited in duration.
• The employment contract complies with Spanish labour law and the applicable collective agreement.
• Employer financial solvency and legal compliance.
• Availability of suitable accommodation.
• Employer's commitment to ensure the worker's return at the end of the campaign.
• Worker's commitment to leave Spain after the authorised period.
• No criminal record and no immigration restrictions or entry bans.
• Proper timing: applications must be filed at least two months before the planned start date.

In bilateral programmes or collective hiring systems, additional training, selection processes or monitoring mechanisms may apply.

Procedure for Seasonal Work Authorisation

1. Submission of the EX-06 application

   The employer submits the EX-06 form and supporting documents to the Immigration Office in the province where the work will take place. This must be done at least two months before the beginning of the seasonal activity.

2. Review and correction period

   The Immigration Office verifies employer capacity, housing conditions, validity of the contract and compliance with sectoral programmes or quotas. If documentation is incomplete, the employer is granted a short deadline (typically 10 days) to correct or supplement the application.

3. Decision

   The Immigration Office must issue a resolution within one month. Lack of response within that period generally amounts to a negative administrative silence, which may be challenged through appeals.

4. Visa issuance at the Spanish consulate

   Once the authorisation is granted, the worker applies for the seasonal work visa at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence, presenting the approval, passport and any additional consular requirements.

5. Arrival in Spain & Social Security registration

   After entering Spain, the employer must register the worker with Social Security before work starts. This step activates the employment relationship under Spanish law.

6. TIE application (if required)

   If the campaign lasts more than six months, the worker must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within the first month of stay.

7. End of contract & return

   At the end of the campaign, the worker must leave Spain and return to their country of origin. Authorities may verify compliance with this requirement, especially in collective hiring programmes.

Renewals, modifications & future campaigns

Seasonal authorisations are strictly temporary and do not automatically renew or, by themselves, lead directly to long-term residence.

• Each new campaign requires a new application and assessment.
• Workers who have complied fully with their obligations, especially timely return, are often prioritised for future campaigns.
• In exceptional cases, such as force majeure preventing return, it may be possible to request a modification to an ordinary residence permit, subject to legal requirements.

Protection & monitoring of seasonal workers

Seasonal work programmes in Spain are subject to monitoring by labour and immigration authorities to prevent abuse and ensure compliance with legal standards.

• Inspections of housing and accommodation conditions.
• Monitoring by labour inspectors and immigration authorities.
• Guarantees against exploitation, including access to complaint mechanisms.
• Access to legal and social services, often with the support of unions, NGOs and local entities.

Comparison with other types of work permits

Seasonal work authorisations differ significantly from ordinary residence and work permits in Spain:

• They are strictly temporary and limited to the length of the campaign.
• They are tied exclusively to the specific activity, employer and period authorised.
• They do not by themselves lead to long-term residence, although lawful participation can support future applications under other routes.
• Their primary focus is to cover short-term labour needs, rather than long-term integration of the worker.

Why choose NomadTaxSpain for seasonal work campaigns?

We support Spanish employers, intermediaries and workers throughout the entire seasonal authorisation process, ensuring that both immigration and labour obligations are fully met.

Our support typically includes:

• Strategic planning of seasonal or campaign-based hiring programmes.
• Preparation and submission of EX-06 applications, both individual and collective.
• Review of employment contracts, accommodation commitments and employer solvency documentation.
• Coordination with consulates and immigration offices for visa issuance and entry into Spain.
• Guidance on Social Security registrations and activation of employment relationships.
• Advice and assistance regarding compliance with return obligations and future campaigns.
• Legal protection and ongoing support in case of inspections or disputes.

Our goal is to create a compliant, predictable framework for seasonal hiring that protects workers, minimises risks for employers and satisfies Spain's immigration authorities.

Start your Seasonal Work Authorisation process

If you are planning a seasonal or campaign-based hiring programme in Spain, or you have been recruited as a seasonal worker, our team can prepare a clear roadmap and manage the key steps of the process.

We will help you structure a complete, compliant application and anticipate the requirements of immigration and labour authorities, so that your seasonal project runs smoothly from start to finish.