EU citizens, such as British people, do not need a visa or work permit to move to and get jobs in Spain. EU citizens are entitled to move freely within the EU and work in any EU country. Americans and other non-EU nationals need to apply for the appropriate visa and permit at a Spanish Consulate, before working to Spain.

Some countries have an agreement with Spain and people like US citizens do not need a visa for simply visiting Spain, to look for a job, as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days. For those who do need some kind of entrance visa, a tourist visa can be used to visit Spain and find employment and this is worth doing because a work permit will not be issued without proof of a job offer.

To obtain a visiting/tourist visa from the Spanish Consulate you will probably need:

1. The visa application form.
2. A valid passport.
3. 4 passport sized photographs.
4. Birth and marriage certificates.
5. A return travel ticket.
6. Proof of the purpose of visit – proof of hotel bookings etc..
7. Evidence of finances to cover your stay in Spain – a bank statement.
8. Proof of medical/travel insurance.
9. Letter from your employer or, if self-employed, from solicitor or accountant.
10. Application fee.
11. Photocopies of all above documents.

Chat to the Consulate to find out how long the visa will take to get processed before booking flights so you know how far in advance to book your return ticket.

If you are a non-EU national, once you have found work and have proof of employment, you will need to apply for a Residence Visa (an Employee Residence Visa) and a work permit from the Spanish Consulate in your home country before moving. Check with the Consulate what documents are required to process the application and allow at least 3 months for the visa to be processed.

For a work permit, the Consulate will usually require:
1. Job offer documentation, such as a contract, and details of company.
2. Registration and social security numbers of the company.
3. Criminal Record Certificate.
4. Valid passport.
5. Medical certificate
6. Three passport sized photos.

If you are already in Spain, you can apply for work permits in Spain, at your local Oficina de Extranjeros or the provincial Delegacion Provincial del Ministerio de Trabajo, the Ministry of Work. Hire the services of a gestor to help you with this because Spanish red tape and bureaucracy can be complicated and frustrating if you don't know what you are doing.
Non-EU citizens will also need a Residence Permit once they have moved to Spain. This should not be confused with a Certificado de Registro which everyone needs to apply for, even EU citizens, if they are going to be living in Spain for more than 3 months. Again, a gestor or an abogado can help you to apply for a Residence Permit, and a Certificado de Registro, and you are likely to need:-

1. Your Residence Visa
2. A valid passport.
3. Your Criminal Record Certificate.
4. Proof of adequate income.
5. Proof of previous legal residence – rent receipts etc.
6. Proof that you are covered for health care – private health insurance.

EU citizens definitely have it easy when moving to Spain and working in Spain. Non-EU citizens do have to do a lot more planning in regards to visas and work permits in Spain.