Working in Spain: What you need to know as a Dane

1. Documentation and registration for Danes

As an EU citizen, you can live and work in Spain without a visa. But for stays over 90 days, you must register:

• EU registration certificate (green NIE document): Your NIE number is used in all work and tax matters.

Benefits of NIE registration:

• Legal work as an employee or self-employed
• Access to public healthcare
• Social benefits such as pension and unemployment benefits
• Municipal registration (empadronamiento)

2. Social insurance and contributions

Before you start work in Spain, you must register with Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS).

What do social contributions cover?

• Health insurance and hospital treatment
• Unemployment benefits
• Maternity and sick pay
• Pension and disability benefits
• Family benefits

You pay approximately 6.35% of your salary – the employer pays up to 30% extra.

3. Unemployment benefits (paro)

You are entitled to benefits from SEPE if you:

• Did not quit yourself
• Have worked and contributed for at least 360 days in the last 6 years
• Are registered as actively job seeking
• Have legal residence in Spain

4. Your rights as an employee

As an employee in Spain, you have the following basic rights:

• Written and legal employment contract
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Protection against wrongful dismissal
• Right to professional representation and collective agreements
• Free access to labor courts

5. Working as self-employed (autónomo)

If you want to be a freelancer or run a business, you must register as autónomo:

• Registration with tax and social security
• Monthly contribution (approx. 230 €/month in 2025)
• Quarterly reporting of income and expenses
• Access to health, pension and unemployment benefits