Internships in Spain: Bienvenidos!

Flag of Spain

A hugely popular place for tourists, Spain is a beautiful country filled with a rich history and dynamic culture. The influence of the once magnificent Spanish Empire can still be seen through the country's stunning cathedrals, gourmet food, and brilliant art and music. Now, with the 13th largest economy in the world, Spain has established itself again as a major hub of international business and boasts an extremely well established automobile industry. Interns in Spain will have the opportunity to live and work in a center European business and culture, all the while practicing the third most widely spoken language of the world. Viva Espana!

  • Main Industries: Tourism, automobile manufacturing, energy
  • Popular Destinations:Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Valencia, Seville
  • Cost of Living: 1,300-1,800 Euros (NUMBEO)
  • Visa: Tourists traveling in Spain for less than 3 months are not required to obtain a visa. If you are planning to study or complete an unpaid internship in Spain, you must obtain a Student or Tourist Visa. Paid internships are not available to international workers.
  • Business: Internships in various aspects of business development and support are extremely popular in Spain. With one of the top economies in the Europe, Spain is filled with international business internship opportunities. Nowadays, most business marketing positions focus on developing online marketing strategies and conducting in depth market analysis. Completing an internship at a financial institution in Spain is also a great way to learn more about the field and experience firsthand how the country has responded to the ongoing financial instability in Europe. Most business internships will be offered in Spain's major cities, especially Barcelona and Madrid. If you see yourself in the future traveling around the world for business or simply want to get a taste of international business operations, take a business internship in Spain!
  • Alambra after sunset, Granada, Spain
    Alambra after sunset, Granada, Spain
  • Tourism and Hospitality: There's no doubt that the millions of tourists who visit Spain throughout the year have expanded the country's tourism industry to become the second largest in the world. Several tourism and hospitality internships are available in Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, but opportunities can be found at any tourist hotspot. Your day to day tasks may vary depending on the type of tourism company or hotel you are working at, but expect to practice your Spanish and use your English speaking skills to your advantage. As one of the top tourist destinations in the world, Spain is a great place to get started in the tourism industry.
When and Where to Look for an Internship:

Most internships in Spain are offered over the summer. Since the Spanish government itself does not allow international interns to be paid, most internship opportunities are found through third-party internship program providers. Most programs provide Spanish language training practice and have already established relationships with Spanish companies and organizations. Look out for the program application deadlines, as they tend to vary.

Cost of Living in Spain:

Living in the major cities such as Barcelona or Madrid will definitely be more expensive than staying in a smaller town in Spain. Assuming that you are interning in a larger city, the monthly cost of living will range from 1,300 to 1,800 Euros. With that said, the cost of living in Europe in general tends to be high, and there are always tips for cutting costs. Note that 1 Euro is equal to about 1.32 U.S. Dollars. For more details about the cost of living in Spain, visit (NUMBEO)

  • 1 bedroom apartment in City Center: 550 Euros
  • 1 bottle of water: 1.1 Euros
  • 1 way transportation ticket: 1.4 Euros
Work Culture in Spain:
  • Etiquette: The Spanish highly value communication and trust in the business environment. The work culture has been influenced by traditional Spanish values revolving around social structure and formality. Since the Spanish people pay extreme attention to the way others present themselves, most dress more conservatively, avoid confrontation, and show modesty. It is important to take time to get to know your co-workers, as most business relationships are built on the value of trust.
  • Language: Spanish is the official language of Spain, but some people can understand and speak a little English. Thus, it is a very good idea to brush up on your Spanish skills before interning abroad in Spain. There are internships available to international workers in English, but some may expect interns to be fluent in Spanish. In any case, be on the lookout for internship programs that can provide additional Spanish language training if you need it.
  • Plaza De Espana in Seville
    Plaza De Espana in Seville
  • Networking: Networking is very important for business development in Spain. The Spanish people highly value trust and family, so having good relationships with co-workers and business partners is crucial not only to build up a professional network, but also to provide you with more career opportunities in the future. With that said, it takes time to build relationships--a resource that many interns simply do not have. Unless you are looking forward to establish your professional career in Spain, networking will not be something of utmost importance. Instead, focus on learning from your fellow interns and be on good terms with your colleagues. If you are interested in professional networking, feel free to check out some of Spain's major professional networks, including the European Networking Group in Spain, Spain Business Network, and Barcelona Young Professionals. Don't forget that some Spain internship programs also provide internal networking opportunities for interns, including intern mixers and talks with Spanish business professionals.
Work and Labor Laws in Spain

Spanish work and labor laws apply to interns as well, except that international interns tend to be unpaid. The country's labor laws have recently undergone some changes that reduced the cost for employers for dismissing staff, but interns should not need to worry about this.

Why Intern in Spain?

With so many major cities and cultural hotspots, Spain is a perfect place to get an international internship experience. The variety of internship opportunities available in Spain's major cities offers individuals the chance to gain valuable professional experience and build a professional network. Go intern in Spain, improve your Spanish, and experience life in one of the most influential countries of the world.


Do you think there is something missing in our guide to interning abroad in Spain? Contact us and let us know! We want to make sure our information is relevant and up to date.

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