Working While Studying in Spain: 30 Hours a Week

Working While Studying in Spain: The Automatic 30-Hour Right for University Students

Since the 2025 immigration regulation, students on a stay for higher education (bachelor's, master's, doctorate or official vocational studies) can work as employees or self-employed up to 30 hours a week, as long as it fits around classes, with no separate work permit. Language-course students do not get this right automatically.

By Anna Pukshanskaya · co-founder of Edumapple
Last checked October 24, 2026 · our method

The rule

Article 57 of Royal Decree 1155/2024 lets higher-education students work up to 30 hours a week. The employer signs a normal part-time contract and registers you with Social Security. The work must not clash with your classes, and the right ends when your student stay ends.

Which Spanish master's fits your degree, score and budget?

A counsellor gets back to you within a working day by phone or WhatsApp. There is no charge for counselling.

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What jobs students find

Hospitality, retail, delivery, tutoring and, in Madrid and Barcelona, English-language customer support. Without Spanish, the choice is narrow. Do not count on part-time pay for the visa funds or for tuition.

Which Spanish master's fits your degree, score and budget?

A counsellor gets back to you within a working day by phone or WhatsApp. There is no charge for counselling.

Full name Mobile number Email (optional) State or UT Where you are now Subject Start

or message us on WhatsApp

Language students

Students on a language-course stay need a separate work authorisation; see language course visa.

Common questions: Working while studying in Spain

How much can I earn part-time in Spain?

Spain's minimum wage for 2026 is €1,221 a month in 14 payments for full-time work, about €40.70 a day; 30 hours a week pays roughly three-quarters of that.

What happens if I work more than 30 hours?

Exceeding the limit is a ground for ending the stay authorisation, so keep contracts within it.

Working While Studying in Spain: The Automatic 30-Hour Right for University Students

The rule

Which Spanish master's fits your degree, score and budget?

What jobs students find

Which Spanish master's fits your degree, score and budget?

Language students

Common questions: Working while studying in Spain

How much can I earn part-time in Spain?

What happens if I work more than 30 hours?

Sources