Licences for security guards, pilots and seafarers

Key rules

• Security guards: You must be an EU or EEA national, unless your country has a reciprocity agreement with Spain.
• EASA pilot licence: A licence issued under EASA rules by another state is valid in Spain without conversion.
• Non-EASA pilot licence: You must convert it through AESA, with a medical, English check, theory exams and a skill test.
• Seafarer certificates: EU certificates are recognised; non-EU ones need recognition, and only if the issuing country is on Spain's list.

Security guards: nationality comes first

Most non-EU nationals cannot work as a security guard in Spain. You must be a national of an EU or EEA country. The exception is a national of a third country that has a reciprocity agreement with Spain. Ask the Policía Nacional's private security unit whether your country has one before you spend money on anything else.

If you qualify on nationality, you also need to:

• be of legal age;
• have a clean criminal record;
• pass the required training at an authorised academy;
• pass a Spanish accreditation exam run by the Policía Nacional;
• obtain the professional licence, the TIP, from the Ministry of Interior.

Do the nationality check first. Training and exams are wasted if your nationality rules you out.

Pilots: it depends on who issued your licence

Spanish pilot licences are handled by AESA, the Spanish aviation safety agency.

• Licence issued under EASA rules by another state: it is valid in Spain without conversion.
• Non-EASA licence, for example from the US or Latin America: you must convert it. Conversion covers a medical, an English proficiency check, theory exams and a skill test. Credits for your hours depend on your licence and experience, so ask AESA what yours would be.
• Private flying only, on an aircraft registered in a third country: a validation of your foreign licence may be possible. It is limited in time.

Ask AESA about your own case before you plan a move around flying.

Seafarers: certificates are recognised through the Marina Mercante

The Dirección General de la Marina Mercante, part of the Ministry of Transport, recognises foreign seafarer certificates. This matters if you want to serve on Spanish-flag vessels.

• EU certificate: it is recognised as such.
• Non-EU certificate: Spain can issue an endorsement or recognition if the issuing country is on its list of recognised states.
• What you must show: a valid medical certificate and your sea service. Deck officers may also have to pass a knowledge test on Spanish rules.

Requirements vary by certificate and by flag state, so confirm yours with the Marina Mercante before applying.

Where to go next

The checklist below puts the steps for each job in order. The questions below it cover common cases.

Checklist

• Check your nationality first if you want to work as a security guard: you must be an EU or EEA national, or from a country with a reciprocity agreement with Spain.

• Confirm you have a clean criminal record and complete the training at an authorised academy before booking the Policía Nacional exam.

• Find out whether your pilot licence was issued under EASA rules, in which case it is valid in Spain without conversion.

• Ask AESA, the Spanish aviation safety agency, about conversion if your licence is non-EASA: you will need a medical, English proficiency and theory exams, and a skill test.

• Ask AESA about a limited-time validation if you only want to fly privately on an aircraft registered in a third country.

• Check that your seafarer certificate comes from an EU state or from a country on Spain's list of recognised states.

• Gather a valid medical certificate and proof of your sea service for the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante.

Frequently asked questions

Can a non-EU citizen work as a security guard in Spain?

Generally no, unless Spain has a reciprocity agreement with your country of nationality.

Do I need to convert my pilot licence if it was issued in another EU country?

No, a licence issued under EASA rules by another state is valid in Spain without conversion. Licences from outside that system, such as the US or Latin America, need conversion. Ask AESA, the Spanish aviation safety agency, how many hours credit you would get.

What can I do if my seafarer certificate comes from a non-EU country?

You can ask for an endorsement or recognition, if your issuing country is on Spain's list of recognised states. You need a valid medical certificate and proof of your sea service. Deck officers may also sit a test on Spanish rules.