All about the working holiday in Spain!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
Specific amount depends on nationality
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the Working Holiday Visa to Spain:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.
03. What is the application fee?
The visa application fee varies by nationality.
- Argentina: ARS 70,000
- Australia: AU$485
- Canada: consult this page
- New Zealand: ~NZ$133
04. What documents are required for the application?
Basic documents:
- Passport
- Complete application form
- ID photo
- Proof of funds
- Proof of health insurance
Other documents:
- NIE (foreigner identity number; Argentinians may be exempt)
- Health certificate (Argentinians are exempt. Canadians staying less than 6 months are also exempt)
- Police certificate (Canadians are exempt if staying for less than 6 months)
- Evidence of at least 2 years of tertiary study (Australians and Argentinians only)
- Proof of functional Spanish level (Australians only)
- Anything else that might be required by the authorities
05. How long is the visa good for?
The Working Holiday Visa allows its holder to stay up to one year in Spain.
06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?
There are additional requirements for Australians and Argentinians:
- Australians must demonstrate a functional level of Spanish and have completed at least 2 years of higher education.
- Argentinians must have completed at least 2 years of higher education.
07. When should I apply?
The application may not be lodged earlier than 3 months before entry into Spain.
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. As a part of your visa application, you must provide proof of coverage by a private health insurance that is registered in Spain. It must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the full duration of your stay.
You must have a minimum coverage of €30,000.
09. Are there any work restrictions?
Argentinians and Australians cannot work for more than 6 months total.
This limit does not apply to other nationalities.
10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Spain and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don't ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
11. Where can I apply?
Please follow the official WHV instructions for your country:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Canada (Toronto)
- New Zealand: email the Embassy of Spain in Welling at [email protected] to request the application forms and instructions.
As mentioned above, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Spain’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Spain, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Spain. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Spain. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Spain.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Spain before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
Once your application is approved, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Spain, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a Spanish. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
The age limits vary by nationality:
- Argentina: 35
- Australia: 30
- Canada: 35
- Japan: 30
- New Zealand: 30
- South Korea: 30
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday in Spain. It also needs to have at least 2 blank pages inside and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay.
You must show a minimum savings amount in order to apply. The specific amount depends on your nationality:
- Argentina: €1080 per month
- Australia: AU$915 per month
- Canada CA$2602 total
- New Zealand €533 per month
If you can provide proof that your parents or relatives will be supporting you financially, the requirement may be reduced. Details will be indicated in your application checklist.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Spain on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
As a part of your visa application, you must also provide proof of coverage by a private health insurance. It must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the full duration of your stay.
You must have a minimum coverage of €30,000.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Spain sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of Working Holiday Visas issued.
- Argentina: 500
- Australia: 3,400
- Canada: 1,000
- New Zealand: 2,000
Quotas may change slightly year to year.