Sheet 23 - Authorization of temporary residence and work for seasonal activities

* The content of this page is for guidance only. Only the provisions of the regulations in force at the time of submission of the application are applicable. 

Last Updated: May 2025

Index of contents 

  • Type of Authorization
  • Basic regulations
  • Requirements
  • Exigible documentation
  • Procedure
  • Extension
  • Renovation
  • Change of employer
  • Appeals

TYPE OF AUTHORISATION 

Residence and work for seasonal activities is the foreign person over sixteen years of age authorized to reside in Spain and to exercise employment activities for others for maximum periods of nine months in a calendar year, during the period of validity of the authorization, to exercise a seasonal activity.

The residence and work authorizations for seasonal activities will last four years and will be granted for a single employer, without prejudice to the specificities that may be established in the cases of concatenation, extensions of the period of activity and changes of employer.

BASIC REGULATIONS 

  • Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 36, 38, 40 and 42).
  • Royal Decree 1155/2024, of 19 November, approving the Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 100 to 112)

REQUIREMENTS 

  • The workers:  
  • Not to be found or to reside in Spain. 
  • Not to be a citizen of a State of the European Union, of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or a family member of a citizen of these countries to which the regime of citizen of the Union applies.
  • Lack of criminal records in Spain and in the countries where he has resided for the last five years, for crimes existing in the Spanish legislation.
  • Not to appear as rejectable in the territorial space of countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in this regard.
  • Not to be found, where appropriate, within the commitment period of no return to Spain that the foreign person has assumed when voluntarily returning to their country of origin.
  • Do not pose a threat to public order, safety or public health. 
  • Not to suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
  • Commitment of return to their country of origin once the employment relationship has ended.
  • Comply with the current rules on health, internal regulations and living together in farms and housing or occupational risks.
  • Possess the administrative certificates or licenses that, where appropriate, are required for the development of a professional activity regulated according to the applicable sectoral regulations.
  • Possess the training and, where appropriate, the professional qualification legally required for the exercise of the profession
  • During the first year of the authorization, the residence and work visa for seasonal activities will be required for entry into Spain. In each year following the year in which the authorisation was granted, the person holding the authorisation must, if all the requirements are met, be called back by the employer, within the framework of the concluded employment contract.
  • The employers:  
  • The national employment situation will be required to allow the recruitment of foreign working persons in accordance with Article 75 of the Regulations.
  • Formalize in writing a fixed-discontinuous contract that contains, at a minimum, information on the essential elements of the employment contract, and all others that the employment regulations establish for the type of contract concerned and, in particular, the place and type of work; the duration of the season; the hours of work and the date of commencement of work.  
  • Indicate the period of activity foreseen for the first year of the multiannual authorisation and, where appropriate, the contractual concatenations.
  • Assume the cost of the trip to Spain from the country of origin of the contract and the trips between the point of arrival and the accommodation.
  • Subscribing to an insurance that covers the health assistance of the working person from the date of the start of the trip to Spain until that in which the discharge occurs in the corresponding Social Security regime.
  • Be aware of the fulfillment of their tax obligations and face the Social Security. 
  • Have sufficient economic, material or personal means for their business project and to meet the obligations assumed in the contract against the worker.
  • To make available to the worker an adequate accommodation that meets the conditions laid down in the regulations in force, as well as in the health recommendations, ensuring, in any case, the habitability and adequate hygiene of the accommodation.
  • Provide the return commitment signed by the foreign person.
  • Pay the fee for the processing of the procedure.

EXIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION 

Note: in general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be displayed at the time of submitting the application. 

  • Application form in official model (EX-06), duly completed and signed by the employer, personally, or through a legitimate subject who has legal representation attributed to the company.  
  • Documentation identifying the company requesting the authorization:  
  • If it is an individual entrepreneur: copy of the NIF or NIE, or consent to check identity data through the Identity and Residence Data Verification System.
  • If it is a legal person (S.A., SL, Cooperative, etc. ):  
  • Copy of the company’s NIF and copy of the deed of incorporation duly registered in the corresponding Registry.
  • Copy of the public document that proves that the signatory of the authorization request holds the legal representation of the company.
  • Copy of the NIF or NIE or consent to verify identity data through the Identity and Residence Data Verification System of the signatory of the application.
  • Copy of the employment contract, in an established official model.
  • Documents accrediting the economic, material or personal means available to the employer for his business project and to meet the obligations arising from the contract signed with the foreign worker.
  • Responsible declaration of the working person certifying the commitment to return, to comply with the current rules of health, internal regime and coexistence in farms and accommodations or occupational risks during the entire validity of the authorization.
  • Certification of the Public Employment Services of the insufficiency of job seekers to cover the job.  
  • Copia del pasaporte completo o documento de viaje en vigor de la persona trabajadora extranjera.
  • Documentation accrediting the making available of a suitable accommodation. 

OTHER NON-OBLIGATORY DOCUMENTATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER:

  • Accreditation of information to the worker of rights and obligations. 
  • Proof of health care insurance. 
  • Commitment to organize trips and displacements. 
  • Economic solvency of the company. 
  • Other documents 

Important note: when documents are provided from other countries they must be translated into Spanish or co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted by a sworn translator.  

List of sworn translators. 

On the other hand, any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which the document has been issued or, where appropriate, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation except in the case where the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless the document is exempt from legalization under the International Convention.

Information on translation and legalization of documents. 

PROCEDURE 

  • Legitimated subject to submit the application: the employer, personally, or through a legitimated subject who has corporate legal representation attributed to him.  

Information sheet on legitimated subjects 

  • Place of presentation:  

Address information, telephone numbers and hours of service to the public. 

  • Submission deadline: applications must be submitted at a minimum of two months before the start of the planned work activity. 
  • Corresponding fees: they will accrue at the time of submission of the application, and must be paid within ten working days:
  • Model 790 code 052, section 2.1.3. “Initial authorization of temporary residence and paid and/or self-employed work (including seasonal activities): to be paid by the foreign worker. 
  • Form 790 code 062, heading 3.4.1 “Initial work authorization, work for seasonal activities”: to be paid by the employer provided that the work authorization has a duration equal to or greater than six months.

The subscription form can be downloaded from this page.

  • Deadline for the resolution of the application: one month from the day following the date on which it entered the register of the competent body for processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having made the notification, it can be understood that the request has been dismissed by administrative silence (When it has not been possible to notify the resolution, it will be announced in the Tablón Edictal Unico (TEU). If you have opted for electronic notification or if you are legally obliged to use that medium, the resolution will be notified by publication in the electronic headquarters. If the resolution is not accessed within ten calendar days of its publication, it will be given as notified). 
  • In the case of concession, the worker has one month from the notification of the resolution to apply for the corresponding visa to the competent Spanish Consular Office.
  • The Diplomatic Mission will resolve the request within one month.
  • Once the residence and seasonal work visa has been granted, if applicable, the worker must collect it personally within one month from the date of notification. If the collection is not carried out within the aforementioned period, it will be understood that it has resigned and the file will be archived.
  • The visa will incorporate the authorization of residence and work, whose validity will begin from the date of entry into Spain, which will appear in the passport or travel title.
  • The employer must proceed to discharge in the corresponding Social Security regime within a maximum period of three days from the entry into Spain of the worker.
  • Within one month of the worker ' s discharge from the relevant social security system, the foreign person must apply for the alien ' s identity card, personally at the competent police station or police services in his place of residence.

The documentation to be provided in the application for the alien identity card can be consulted at the following link:

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/34 

  • Once the period of provision of services is over, the worker must return to his country of origin, and present himself at the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office that issued him in a visa within one month from the end of his authorization to work in Spain. Failure to comply with this obligation may result in the refusal of subsequent applications for work authorization, during the three years following the end of the authorization granted.

EXTENSION 

  • The period of annual work activity may be extended when the authorized persons terminate their relationship with the employer who hired them.  
  • The extension may be with the same or different employer, for the same or different geographical area, but always referring to the same occupation and sector.  
  • Successive extensions are allowed if they do not exceed nine months in the period of work activity and there is continuity between the end of the first and the beginning of the second or successive
  • Subject legitimated to submit the application: the employer, personally, or through representation.  
  • Place of presentation:  

Address information, telephone numbers and hours of service to the public. 

  • Required documentation:  
  • Application form in official model (EX-06), duly completed and signed by the employer, personally, or through a legitimate subject who has legal representation attributed to the company.  
  • If applicable, documents that prove the extension with a different employer.
  • Corresponding fees: will accrue at the time of submission of the application, and must be paid within ten working days:
  • Model 790 code 052, section 2.2.3. “renewal or extension of temporary residence and employment”: pay for the foreign worker. 
  • Form 790 code 062, heading 3.4.2 “renewal work authorization for seasonal activities”: to be paid by the employer.

The subscription form can be downloaded from this page.

  • Deadline for the resolution of the application: three months from the day following the date on which it entered the register of the competent body for processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having made the notification, it may be understood that the application has been dismissed by administrative silence. (When it has not been possible to notify the resolution, it will be announced in the Single Bulletin Board (TEU). If you have opted for electronic notification or if you are legally obliged to use that medium, the resolution will be notified by publication in the electronic headquarters. If the resolution is not accessed within ten calendar days of its publication, it will be given as notified). 

RENOVATION 

  • Residence and work permits for seasonal activities may be renewed after the end of their validity, for equal periods of four years. 
  • Subject legitimated to submit the application: the same entrepreneur or another as long as it meets the established requirements.
  • The renewal must refer to the same sector of activity, but it will be possible to change the occupation and the geographical scope.
  • Place of presentation:  

Address information, telephone numbers and hours of service to the public. 

  • Required documentation:  
  • Application form in official model (EX-06), duly completed and signed by the employer, personally, or through a legitimate subject who has legal representation attributed to the company.  
  • A complete, valid and valid passport, travel document or registration certificate of a foreign person.
  • Employment contract, in an established official model, signed by the worker and employer.
  • Responsible declaration of the working person where he accredits the commitment of return.
  • Documentation accrediting the making available of a suitable accommodation. 
  • Deadline for resolution of the request: one month. counted from the day following the date on which it entered the register of the body competent to process it. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having made the notification, it may be understood that the application has been estimated by administrative silence. (When it has not been possible to notify the resolution, it will be announced on the Single Edictal Board (TEU). If you have opted for electronic notification or if you are legally obliged to use that medium, the resolution will be notified by publication in the electronic headquarters. If the resolution is not accessed within ten calendar days of its publication, it will be given as notified).
  • Within a maximum period of one month following the notification of the decision granting the temporary authorization of residence and work, the worker will apply for the corresponding visa to the competent Spanish Consular Office.  
  • The employer must proceed to discharge in the corresponding Social Security regime within maximum of three days from the entry into Spain of the worker.  
  • The worker will be allowed to stay in Spain until a decision has been made on the application, provided that it has been submitted within the period of validity of said authorization, it has not been for reasons attributable to the worker and the period of nine months of activity per calendar year has not expired.
  • Corresponding residence and work fees: will accrue at the time of submission of the application, and must be paid within ten working days:
  • Form 790 code 052, heading 2.2.3 “renewal or extension of temporary residence and employment”: to be paid by the foreign worker. 
  • Model 790 code 062, section 3.4.2. “Renewal of work authorization for seasonal activities”: to be paid by the employer.

The subscription form can be downloaded from this page.

CHANGE OF EMPLOYER 

  • The change of employer of the worker will be authorized after three months of work activity of each call.  
  • Term of application: The new employer must request it before the end of the period of activity agreed with the previous employer.  
  • Place of presentation:  

Address information, telephone numbers and hours of service to the public. 

  • Maintenance of all requirements established in the initial authorisation shall be required.
  • The activity may be in different geographical area and occupation provided that the national employment situation in the same sector allows it.  
  • Assumptions of employer trucking:
  • Serious breach by the employer of the obligations set out in the employment contract. In this case, the worker shall have a period of three months from the date of finding sufficient evidence of serious non-compliance to seek a new employer or to submit an application for a new residence and work permit for seasonal activities or an initial residence and employment permit.
  • Circumstances that have come to light. persona extranjera o la persona empleadora que solicitó la autorización deberán comunicar tales circunstancias a la Oficina de Extranjería, en un plazo máximo de quince días. Such communication will open a period of one month in which a second employer must contact the Aliens Office to communicate his/her willingness to change the position of the former.
  • Required documentation:  
  • Application form in official model (EX-06), duly completed and signed by the employer, personally, or through a legitimate subject who has attributed the legal representation of the company.  
  • Passport, travel certificate or registration card complete, valid and in force of the foreign person.
  • Cif and writing of constitution as a legal person.
  • Employment contract, in an established official model, signed by the worker and employer.
  • Resolution time: fifteen days. Rejected is the decision not to resolve the request in due time.
  • The worker will be allowed to stay in Spain until a decision has been made on the application, provided that it has been submitted within the period of validity of said authorization, it has not been for reasons attributable to the worker and the period of nine months of activity per calendar year has not expired.
  • Corresponding fees: they will accrue at the time of submission of the application, and must be paid within ten working days, they are:  
  • Form 790 code 052, section 2.2 “renewal or extension of temporary residence and employment”: to be paid by the foreign worker.
  • Model 790 code 062, section 3.4.2. “Renewal of work authorization for seasonal activities”: to be paid by the employer.

The subscription form can be downloaded from this page.

APPEALS 

  • Term of application: A minimum of three months in advance of the start of the work activity, unless there are reasons for doing so,
  • The new period of activity may not exceed nine months. The terms of the activity must be the same as provided in the authorization, unless there has been a change of employer in which case the call will be made by the new entrepreneur for the activity approved with the change.
  • Place of presentation:  

Address information, telephone numbers and hours of service to the public. 

  • Period of resolution: one month from the submission of the application, if the authorisation is not due to expire. Estimated will be the decision not to resolve the request in due time.
  • Required documentation:  
  • Application form in official model (EX-06), duly completed and signed by the employer, personally, or through a legitimate subject who has attributed the legal representation of the company.  
  • Passport, travel certificate or registration card complete, valid and in force of the foreign person.
  • Communication of the appeal.
  • The presentation of the foreigner’s identity card together with the aforementioned resolution on the appeal will be sufficient documents to request entry into Spanish territory.  
  • During the validity of the authorization, it must be accompanied by the corresponding passport or valid document for entry into the national territory.