Which countries have a working holiday agreement with Spain?

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and South Korea. Each agreement has its own quota, age band and paperwork; apply through the Spanish consulate in your country of citizenship.

Do I need a job offer before applying?

No. The visa is granted on nationality, age and basic means; you find work after arriving. That is why this list leans on sectors that hire quickly and in English.

Can I extend it or switch to a work permit afterwards?

Working holiday visas are generally non-renewable. Switching to an ordinary work permit from inside Spain is possible only if an employer applies for you — see the visa sponsorship page — or if you qualify for the highly-qualified route.

Hospitality, customer service, retail and teaching hire year-round, often in English, and rarely require the long-term commitment or Spanish qualifications other sectors do. It is a practical shortlist, not a rule — any employer can hire a working-holiday visa holder.

SpainJobs.io

Working Holiday–Friendly Jobs

Spain’s working holiday agreements let citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and South Korea aged 18–30 work for a year with no employer sponsorship. These are the roles a one-year stay realistically works in.

325 working-holiday-friendly jobs97 companies~23k avg salary

Indicative, not a promise: these adverts fit the shape of the route. Nothing here means the employer will sponsor a visa — confirm with them before you commit.

What it is

A youth-mobility visa under bilateral agreements. If you hold one of the five nationalities and are inside the age band, you can live and work in Spain for typically one year without any employer applying for a permit — you take the visa to any job that will hire you.
The agreements are separate from the ordinary immigration routes: no labour-market test, no salary threshold, no degree requirement. The trade-off is that the stay is short, generally non-renewable, and not a step towards long-term residence on its own.
The jobs listed here are an editorial match, not a visa classification: hospitality, customer service, retail and teaching roles listed in or requiring English, excluding adverts that demand existing EU work authorisation. They suit a working-holiday year; the visa is yours to obtain.

Who it’s for

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan or South Korea, generally aged 18–30 (up to 35 for Canadians).
People who want a year in Spain rather than a permanent move — a gap year, a season, a language year with a job on the side.
English speakers: the roles here run in English or need it, so Spanish is a bonus rather than a gate.

What it isn’t

It is not a route for other nationalities — if your passport is not on the list, look at sponsorship, the highly-qualified route or the digital nomad visa instead.
It is not a promise about any single advert. We match roles by sector and language; an employer may still prefer candidates already in Spain. Mention your visa status when you apply.

Key numbers

Countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea
Age: 18–30 (up to 35 for Canadians)
Duration: Typically 1 year
Employer sponsorship: None needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries have a working holiday agreement with Spain?: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and South Korea. Each agreement has its own quota, age band and paperwork; apply through the Spanish consulate in your country of citizenship.
Do I need a job offer before applying?: No. The visa is granted on nationality, age and basic means; you find work after arriving. That is why this list leans on sectors that hire quickly and in English.
Can I extend it or switch to a work permit afterwards?: Working holiday visas are generally non-renewable. Switching to an ordinary work permit from inside Spain is possible only if an employer applies for you — see the visa sponsorship page — or if you qualify for the highly-qualified route.
Why these sectors?: Hospitality, customer service, retail and teaching hire year-round, often in English, and rarely require the long-term commitment or Spanish qualifications other sectors do. It is a practical shortlist, not a rule — any employer can hire a working-holiday visa holder.