You can work in tech in Spain without speaking Spanish. Many international companies and start-ups in Spain use English as their working language, and every job on our board is at a company like that. No Spanish required for most of them.
The hard parts are finding those employers, sorting out your right to work and standing out in applications. This guide takes you through it step by step.
Step 1: Check your right to work
This decides which jobs you can apply for.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work in Spain without a permit. If you stay longer than three months, you register as a resident (Real Decreto 240/2007).
- Everyone else needs a permit before starting work. For most tech jobs that is the EU Blue Card or the national Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit (Ley 14/2013, article 71). Both require a job offer from a company in Spain and a minimum salary. From late June 2026 the threshold is €41,356.36 gross a year, with a reduced Blue Card rate of €33,085.09 in some cases (UGE).
- Remote workers employed by, or freelancing for, companies outside Spain can apply for the digital nomad visa. For 2026 you need an income of at least €2,442 a month (Spanish consulate in Washington).
No degree? For the Blue Card, ICT professionals can qualify with three years of relevant experience in the last seven years (article 71.2.a).
Our work visa guide covers each route in detail.
Step 2: Find employers that work in English
Searching general job sites in English brings up a lot of jobs that turn out to need Spanish. Save time by starting with employers where English is the working language:
- Browse our English-speaking jobs and the companies that hire English speakers.
- If you need a permit, filter for visa sponsorship jobs and jobs you can apply for from abroad.
When you look at other job ads, check for these signals:
- Good signs: the ad is in English, it says “our working language is English”, the team is spread across countries, or there are English-language engineering blogs and talks.
- Warning signs: the ad is only in Spanish, or it lists “Spanish (native or C1)” as a requirement.
- Read carefully: “Spanish is a plus” usually means optional. “Fluent Spanish” means required. Our job pages show the Spanish level each job asks for.
Step 3: Pick roles where English is enough
Engineering roles are the easiest to do in English: backend, frontend, mobile, data, machine learning, DevOps and security. Roles that deal directly with Spanish customers, such as sales engineering or local support, are more likely to need Spanish.
Popular technologies on our board include Python, Java, TypeScript and React.
Step 4: Choose where to look
- Madrid: the capital. In 2024 the Comunidad de Madrid had the highest average pay of any region except País Vasco (INE). See our Madrid cost of living guide.
- Barcelona: Catalan is also an official language in Catalonia (Spanish Constitution, article 3). You won’t need it for an English-speaking tech job, but you will see it on signs and forms.
- Valencia and Málaga: check current openings on our city pages. Valencian is also an official language in the Comunitat Valenciana.
- Remote jobs: open to people living anywhere in Spain.
Step 5: Prepare your CV and applications
- Write your CV in English. Keep it to one or two pages. Lead with your skills and results.
- State your right to work at the top. For example: “EU citizen, no visa needed” or “Will need EU Blue Card sponsorship”. Recruiters often check this first.
- Say where you are and when you can start. If you are abroad, mention your time zone and your relocation plans.
- Link to your work. GitHub, a portfolio, talks or blog posts help, especially if you don’t have a degree.
- Tailor each application. Mention the company’s product and stack. Short, specific cover notes work better than long letters.
Step 6: Get through the interviews
- Processes vary by company. A common pattern is a recruiter call, a technical screen or take-home task, then a round with the team.
- Ask early about salary range, visa support and relocation help. It saves time on both sides.
- Ask what language the team uses day to day. “English-speaking” can mean the engineering team only.
- If you need a permit, check that the salary meets the threshold before you accept.
Compare offers with our software engineer salaries guide.
Step 7: Plan the move
Once you have an offer, the paperwork starts: permit, NIE, registration, bank account and healthcare. Our relocation checklist puts them in order.
Also look at your tax options early. If you move to Spain for a job, you may qualify for the Beckham Law, with a flat 24% income tax rate. You have to apply within six months of the start date on your Social Security registration. See our tax guide.
Should you learn Spanish anyway?
Not for the job. But some Spanish makes daily life much easier: renting a flat, dealing with offices, going to the doctor and meeting people outside work. It also widens your options if you change jobs later.
Quick checklist
- Know your right-to-work route
- Shortlist English-speaking employers
- Filter for visa sponsorship if you need it
- Update your CV in English, with your work status at the top
- Check salaries against the visa threshold
- Plan your relocation and tax paperwork
Ready to start? Browse all English-speaking jobs in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Which tech jobs in Spain don’t need Spanish?
Engineering roles are the easiest to do in English: backend, frontend, mobile, data, machine learning, DevOps and security. Roles that deal directly with Spanish customers, such as sales engineering or local support, are more likely to need Spanish. Check the Spanish level shown on each job page before you apply.
Do I need to speak Catalan to work in Barcelona?
No, not for an English-speaking tech job. Catalan is an official language in Catalonia alongside Spanish, so you will see it on signs and forms, but you won’t need it for work in an English-speaking team. Valencian is also an official language in the Comunitat Valenciana.
How can I tell if a job ad requires Spanish?
Look at the language of the ad and its requirements. An ad only in Spanish, or one listing “Spanish (native or C1)”, is a warning sign. “Spanish is a plus” usually means optional, while “fluent Spanish” means required. Our job pages show the Spanish level each job asks for, so you can check quickly.
Can I live in Spain and work remotely for a foreign company?
Yes, through the digital nomad visa, if you are employed by or freelance for companies outside Spain. For 2026 you need an income of at least €2,442 a month, according to the Spanish consulate in Washington. Our work visa guide covers the other conditions, and our remote jobs page lists roles.
Can I get a Spanish work permit without a degree?
Yes, for tech. For the EU Blue Card, ICT professionals can qualify with three years of relevant experience in the last seven years. You still need a job offer that meets the salary threshold. On your CV, links to GitHub, a portfolio, talks or blog posts help, especially if you don’t have a degree.
What should I put on my CV when applying from abroad?
Write it in English, keep it to one or two pages and lead with your skills and results. State your right to work at the top, for example “Will need EU Blue Card sponsorship”. Say where you are, your time zone, your relocation plans and when you can start. Tailor each application to the company’s product and stack.