Career progression in Spain

It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning a move, or already in the middle of one. By the end, you will have a realistic route to advancement. You will also know when the culture or a ceiling means it is time to adapt, or to move on.

Start with "How career progression works in Spanish companies". It sets out the basics that the other pages build on. After that, go to the page that fits your situation, such as asking for a raise, being foreign in the workplace, or starting out in your first job.

Salary benchmarks, dismissal and disputes, and mental health care are not covered here.

Key rules

• Training leave: Paid individual training leave is up to 200 working hours per year, needs at least one year of seniority and can be deferred by the employer.
• Higher-category work: You cannot be kept in higher-category duties for more than six months in a year or eight months in two years, and you are paid the higher salary meanwhile.
• Resignation notice: When you resign, give the notice set by your convenio or contract; if neither sets one, the usual period is 15 days.
• Convenio: Your convenio's salary tables and promotion rules decide your formal rank and pay, so read them first.
• Higher duties: Your employer cannot keep you in higher-category duties beyond six months in a year or eight months in two years, and must pay the higher salary meanwhile.
• Convenio minimum: Your employer cannot pay less than the convenio table for your group or level, but can pay more.

Career progression in Spain: the whole process, step by step

• Start your career with a legitimate internship or training contract (First jobs, internships and early career in Spain): as a student or within 3 years of graduating (5 if you have a disability) for the professional-practice training contract, which lasts 6 months to 1 year

• Move to an open-ended contract and learn how groups and pay levels work (How career progression works in Spanish companies): once the training contract or internship ends

• Make your work visible through reviews (Performance reviews and getting noticed): through the year, ahead of the annual review

• Ask for a raise or promotion (Asking for a raise or promotion in Spain): January to March, after annual results and before budgets are fixed; avoid August and the Christmas period

• Claim the higher category if you are doing higher-level duties (How career progression works in Spanish companies): after six months in a year or eight months in two years in those duties; claim the pay difference within 1 year

Documents you may need

• Written internship agreement between your university or school and the company — First jobs, internships and early career in Spain

• Training plan naming a tutor at the company and a tutor at your school — First jobs, internships and early career in Spain

• Written employment contract — First jobs, internships and early career in Spain

• Your degree or vocational qualification — First jobs, internships and early career in Spain

• Proof of Social Security registration — First jobs, internships and early career in Spain

Career progression in Spain: questions that cross several articles

Can my employer give me a raise that disappears when the convenio pay scale rises?

Yes, extra pay above the convenio minimum can be absorbed when the scale rises, unless your contract or the convenio says it cannot. Check how your contract words it before negotiating. Read Asking for a raise or promotion in Spain and How career progression works in Spanish companies.

What if I do a higher-level job without the title or pay?

You can claim the higher category and the pay difference once you pass six months in a year or eight months in two years in those duties. Raise it first with your employer or representatives, then try conciliation before the labour court.

How much Spanish do I need to move into management?

For management roles, most employers expect a professional level of Spanish, roughly B2 to C1. English-only international teams are an exception. See Will being foreign limit your career in Spain? and Training, mentoring and upskilling in Spanish workplaces.

When is the best time of year to ask for a raise?

The best time to ask for a raise is usually January to March, after annual results and before budgets are fixed. Avoid August and Christmas. Read Asking for a raise or promotion in Spain and Performance reviews and getting noticed.