When do I need to renew and how long is the validity period?
You can apply for renewal 60 days before permit expiry date, or within the three months following expiry date (applications made after expiry date may be penalised). In both cases the permit will be valid up to the date the corresponding resolution is made regarding your case.
You will be sent a letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales), notifying you of whether or not you meet requirements for renewal (as of application for renewal date), along with the EX01 application form. If you do not receive this notification you can obtain it via the following website: https://sedempr.gob.es/renova2008/
You must communicate any changes made to your address with a new Municipal Registry Certificate (Certificado de Empadronamiento) and the following form http://www.cograsova.es/extranjeros/modelos/cdomicilio.pdf. These documents must be submitted at any of the public registrar offices of the Central Government.
You must submit the following documents:
Photocopy of current passport
Residency and work permit that you wish to renew
Municipal Registry certificate (justificante de empadronamiento)
Permit renewal will be granted for those applicants that can accredit payments made to social security for at leastsixmonths within a one-year period and show that they still are employed at the same company (by way of a current work contract), or a new contract showing their employment in the same labour activity in the same province and still registered with social security. Domestic workers must submit a letter signed by their employer certifying that the applicant is employed at their home, and which includes details on their work schedule and period employed.
The above is in accordance with the New Royal Decree 1162/2009 dated 10 of July amending the Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000 dated 11 January, on rights and freedoms of immigrants in Spain and their social integration, approved by Royal Decree 2392/2004 dated 30 December. In this amendment two sections, 5 bis) and 5 ter), were added to Article 54 which read: “5 bis) Residency and work permits shall be renewed when the worker can prove that they are still employed and registered with Social Security for at least nine months out of a one-year period, or eighteen months out of a two-year period, in cases where their last employment was interrupted for reasons beyond their control and are currently looking for employment. 5 ter). Renewal shall also be granted when the applicant’s spouse meets financial requirements needed to support worker.”
If the applicant has, as a worker registered with Social Security, only contributed to Social Security for a period of threemonths, they will be able to apply for renewal if: their employment was interrupted for reasons beyond their control (shown by way of a letter of dismissal), that they are actively seeking employment and that they are participating in employment insertion programmes (by way of a certificate of registration with the Spanish Public Unemployment Service).
·Renewalwillalsobegrantedifworkerisreceiving: unemployment benefits or financial subsidies from the government or temporary disability benefits, their aim being labour or social insertion.
This refers to payment made to employee when their contract has ended and they have signed a letter or document that certifies the end of their relationship with their employer. Said letter or document also certifies that said employee has received all pertinent and final monetary benefits and entitlements from their employer.
The employer must pay: all outstanding salaries pertaining to period of employment, any extraordinary payments or payments in lieu of vacation days not taken by employee. For those cases in which the contract is a Work-for-hire or short-term contract, the employer must pay employee the equivalent of 8 days' pay for every year employed.
The employer can deduct from final severance pay any monies corresponding to unexplained absences of the employee.
Yes, you can terminate your employment at any time. No reason need be given for said termination, however, this must be done so at least 15 days before your last day of work. If no notice is given, then the employer has the right to deduct monies from the final settlement for damages.
If you terminate employment voluntarily you will not be entitled to unemployment benefits.
To have foreign qualifications recognised in Spain, they must be issued by official institutions and competent authorities in their country of origin.
When should qualifications be recognised?
Whenever you wish to continue your studies in Spain. If you only require degree recognition/validation to work in Spain you only need to authenticate and translated said degree (“convalidación”).
Where can documents be translated?
- At a Spanish Consulate or Embassies abroad
- At Embassies or Consulates in Spain of countries where documents were issued.
- At UNESCO, Instituto de Cooperación Iberoamericano or other official bodies recognised in Spain.
- By a sworn translator, recognised and authorised to translate official documents by Spanish government.
Where do I apply to have my foreign qualifications recognised or validated in Spain?
- At the Central Registrar of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Registro Central, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura)
C/Alcalá, 34
28014 Madrid
- Subdirección General de Títulos, Convalidaciones y Homologaciones (Office of Foreign Degree Validation and Recognition)
C/Paseo del Prado 28
28014 Madrid
- At the Servicios de Alta Inspección del Estado offices in each Autonomous Region (State Inspection Offices).
- At the Registrar of any of the offices of State Government (Administración General del Estado)
- At Post Offices
- At Spanish Embassies and Consulates abroad
What documents serve as proof of nationality?
Spanish Citizens: DNI or Passport
European Citizens: Identity card, Passport or Residency permit
Non-European Citizens: Certificate showing nationality (issued by competent authorities in country of origin) that has been duly authenticated (“legalizado”) by showing Passport or Residency Permit.
What other documents do I need?
- Academic Certificate/Transcript from issuing University (duration of studies, subjects taken, qualifications obtained, grading system, total duration of courses in hours, year/semester duration in weeks), duly authenticated and translated.
- In addition to the above, applicant may submit an academic and scientific CV detailing corresponding programmes of study (authenticated and translated)
To have foreign qualifications recognised in Spain, they must be issued by official institutions and competent authorities in their country of origin.
When should qualifications be recognised?
Whenever you wish to continue your studies in Spain. If you only require degree recognition/validation to work in Spain you only need to authenticate and translated said degree (“convalidación”).
Where can documents be translated?
- At a Spanish Consulate or Embassies abroad
- At Embassies or Consulates in Spain of countries where documents were issued.
- At UNESCO, Instituto de Cooperación Iberoamericano or other official bodies recognised in Spain.
- By a sworn translator, recognised and authorised to translate official documents by Spanish government.
Where do I apply to have my foreign qualifications recognised or validated in Spain?
- At the Central Registrar of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Registro Central, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura)
C/Alcalá, 34
28014 Madrid
- Subdirección General de Títulos, Convalidaciones y Homologaciones (Office of Foreign Degree Validation and Recognition)
C/Paseo del Prado 28
28014 Madrid
- At the Servicios de Alta Inspección del Estado offices in each Autonomous Region (State Inspection Offices).
- At the Registrar of any of the offices of State Government (Administración General del Estado)
- At Post Offices
- At Spanish Embassies and Consulates abroad
What documents serve as proof of nationality?
Spanish Citizens: DNI or Passport
European Citizens: Identity card, Passport or Residency permit
Non-European Citizens: Certificate showing nationality (issued by competent authorities in country of origin) that has been duly authenticated (“legalizado”) by showing Passport or Residency Permit.
What other documents do I need?
- Academic Certificate/Transcript from issuing University (duration of studies, subjects taken, qualifications obtained, grading system, total duration of courses in hours, year/semester duration in weeks), duly authenticated and translated.
- In addition to the above, applicant may submit an academic and scientific CV detailing corresponding programmes of study (authenticated and translated)
- Official Form Application Form for validation and recognition of qualifications
What documents do I need to get a Medical Doctor’s Degree validated?
- A written paper explaining thesis/dissertation
- A copy of said thesis/dissertation
- The names of the members of thesis/dissertation assessment committee
- The grade obtained
- Authenticated photocopy of the Degree
If the photocopies have already been authenticated and checked by a Spanish Notary or Spanish Embassy or Consulate abroad, the ORIGINAL DOCUMENT NEED NOT BE SHOWN.
What about documents issued in European Union member states or European Economic Area member states?
Authentication is not necessary for documents issued by the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, The Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, The Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
Validation is not necessary for Primary School and 1st, 2nd and 3rd year Secondary School education.
Single subjects cannot be validated.
Degrees that have been obtained through validation of qualifications obtained from a third country cannot be validated or recognised.
Application Form for validation and recognition of qualifications
What documents do I need to get a Medical Doctor’s Degree validated?
- A written paper explaining thesis/dissertation
- A copy of said thesis/dissertation
- The names of the members of dissertation/ thesis assessment committee
- The grade obtained
- Authenticated photocopy of the Degree
If the photocopies have already been authenticated and checked by a Spanish Notary or Spanish Embassy or Consulate abroad, the ORIGINAL DOCUMENT NEED NOT BE SHOWN.
What about documents issued in European Union member states or European Economic Area member states?
Authentication is not necessary for documents issued by the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, The Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, The Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
Validation is not necessary for Primary School and 1st, 2nd and 3rd year Secondary School education.
Single subjects cannot be validated.
Degrees that have been obtained through validation of qualifications obtained from a third country cannot be validated or recognised.
To have foreign qualifications recognised in Spain, they must be issued by official institutions and competent authorities in their country of origin.
When should qualifications be recognised?
Whenever you wish to continue your studies in Spain. If you only require degree recognition/validation to work in Spain you only need to authenticate and translated said degree (“convalidación”).
Where can documents be translated?
- At a Spanish Consulate or Embassies abroad
- At Embassies or Consulates in Spain of countries where documents were issued.
- At UNESCO, Instituto de Cooperación Iberoamericano or other official bodies recognised in Spain.
- By a sworn translator, recognised and authorised to translate official documents by Spanish government.
Where do I apply to have my foreign qualifications recognised or validated in Spain?
- At the Central Registrar of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Registro Central, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura)
C/Alcalá, 34
28014 Madrid
- Subdirección General de Títulos, Convalidaciones y Homologaciones (Office of Foreign Degree Validation and Recognition)
C/Paseo del Prado 28
28014 Madrid
- At the Servicios de Alta Inspección del Estado offices in each Autonomous Region (State Inspection Offices).
- At the Registrar of any of the offices of State Government (Administración General del Estado)
- At Post Offices
- At Spanish Embassies and Consulates abroad
What documents serve as proof of nationality?
Spanish Citizens: DNI or Passport
European Citizens: Identity card, Passport or Residency permit
Non-European Citizens: Certificate showing nationality (issued by competent authorities in country of origin) that has been duly authenticated (“legalizado”) by showing Passport or Residency Permit.
What other documents do I need?
- Academic Certificate/Transcript from issuing University (duration of studies, subjects taken, qualifications obtained, grading system, total duration of courses in hours, year/semester duration in weeks), duly authenticated and translated.
- In addition to the above, applicant may submit an academic and scientific CV detailing corresponding programmes of study (authenticated and translated)
- Official Form Application Form for validation and recognition of qualifications
What documents do I need to get a Medical Doctor’s Degree validated?
- A written paper explaining thesis/dissertation
- A copy of said thesis/dissertation
- The names of the members of dissertation/ thesis assessment committee
- The grade obtained
- Authenticated photocopy of the Degree
If the photocopies have already been authenticated and checked by a Spanish Notary or Spanish Embassy or Consulate abroad, the ORIGINAL DOCUMENT NEED NOT BE SHOWN.
What about documents issued in European Union member states or European Economic Area member states?
Authentication is not necessary for documents issued by the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, The Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, The Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
Validation is not necessary for Primary School and 1st, 2nd and 3rd year Secondary School education.
Single subjects cannot be validated.
Degrees that have been obtained through validation of qualifications obtained from a third country cannot be validated or recognised.
These centres are run by not-for-profit organisations provide assistance to those who need it the most, that is, people who are living in particularly precarious situations. The primary aims of these Drop-in Centres are to provide healthcare assistance, information.... INFO
Frequently Asked Questions
