Working holiday visa for Spain, which nationalities and ages qualify

Key rules

• Nationality: Only nationals of countries with a working holiday agreement with Spain can apply.
• Age: Applicants are 18 to 30, or up to 35 if Argentine or Canadian.
• Length of stay: A year at most, with no extension.
• Funds: €600 per month of stay, plus a return ticket.

Which nationalities qualify

You can only use this visa if your country has a working holiday agreement with Spain. The long-standing list is Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Uruguay has been added more recently.

EU citizens and UK citizens with Withdrawal Agreement rights do not use this visa, because EU citizens have free movement and Withdrawal Agreement holders keep their own residence rules. Other nationalities without an agreement cannot use it.

Age limits

You must be 18 to 30 inclusive when you apply. The agreements with Argentina and Canada allow applicants up to 35.

How long you can stay

The stay is up to 12 months and cannot be extended; the visa is valid for one year. The Australia and New Zealand agreements give 12 months counted from the day you enter Spain, and the stay cannot be split into several visits.

Study is capped by country: 3 months for Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and 6 months for Argentina, Canada, Chile, South Korea and Uruguay.

Money you must show

You must show €600 for each month of your stay (€7,200 for 12 months), and a return ticket or the money to buy one. The amount is 100% of the monthly public indicator called IPREM, which is revised every year. Proof is recent bank statements.

Where to apply

Apply at the Spanish embassy or consulate in the country where you live or hold nationality. You must apply before you travel to Spain, and you cannot apply from inside Spain.

Documents you need

• National visa application form, filled in for the Spanish consulate
• Valid passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
• Passport photos
• Criminal record certificate from your country. Issued in the EU: no apostille. Issued in a non-EU Hague Convention country: an apostille and a sworn translation into Spanish. Issued in any other country: full legalisation through that country's foreign ministry and the Spanish consulate, plus a sworn translation
• Medical certificate
• Private health insurance valid in Spain for the whole stay, with no co-payments or excess
• Proof of funds: recent bank statements
• Return ticket, or proof of funds to buy one
• Receipt for the 80 EUR national visa fee, paid at the consulate

If the visa is refused

If the consulate refuses your application in writing (an express refusal), you choose one of two routes: ask for reconsideration within 1 month, or go to court within 2 months. If the consulate never answers (a silent refusal), you can ask for reconsideration with no deadline, or go to court within 6 months.