Spain attracts international nurses for good reason. The country offers great working conditions, a top-tier healthcare system, plenty of job openings, and endless sunshine. Let us guide you through the steps to immigrate to Spain as a nurse.
How to Immigrate to Spain as a Nurse?
To immigrate to Spain as a nurse, you must complete different steps and meet certain standards. Let’s take a broad look at the steps:
Step 1. Ensure Eligibility
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Pass a medical examination.
- Maintain a clean record.
- Show financial self-sufficiency.
- Meet Spanish nursing standards.
- Demonstrate genuine intent to live in Spain.
- Registration with the Spanish nursing board and graduation from a recognized Spanish nursing program is crucial.
- Passing a language exam may be necessary if you don’t speak Spanish fluently.
- Work with a Spanish sponsor to secure a work permit as a non-EU citizen.
- Make sure you are prepared for a background check.
- Ensure compliance with Spanish health insurance regulations.
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Immigrate to Spain as a Nurse
Step 2. Nursing Qualifications
Make sure Spain recognizes your nursing credentials. If not, submit your academic credentials to the Ministry of Education or regional authority to verify nursing qualifications in Spain. Your qualifications are assessed for Spanish standards.
If you want to immigrate to Spain as a nurse, learn about the recognized diplomas in Spain:
- Diploma in Nursing. The most common nursing credential is provided by numerous institutions worldwide.
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. A four-year degree program that gives a more comprehensive education in nursing.
- Master’s Degree in Nursing. This more sophisticated degree program can train nurses for leadership positions or specialized practice.
- Specializations. You should ensure that your nursing qualifications and experience align with Spanish standards if you specialize in critical care, pediatrics, or geriatrics.
Step 3. Language Proficiency
If Spanish is not your first language, you must provide a Level B2 certification with your application for equivalence or recognition to work as a nurse in Spain:
How to Accredit a Spanish Level B2:
- Be a native of a country where Spanish is the official or co-official language.
- At least 75% of your degree or specialty training must have been completed in Spanish.
- The Miguel de Cervantes Institute produced a DELE exam credential (a Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language).
Step 4. Visa Type
Select the appropriate visa category when applying for a visa to work in the nursing profession in Spain. Depending on your employment status and the nature of the position you’ve been offered, you may need to apply for a Spain work visa or a healthcare worker visa.
Step 5. Secure a Job Offer
Get a job offer from a Spanish hospital or healthcare facility. Check to see if the job description matches your skills. Direct applications to healthcare facilities, recruitment agencies, and professional networking are all viable options.
Step 6. Professional Registration
How to register as a nurse in Spain? Your first step should be to contact the nursing board in the area of your choice and submit the required paperwork (including transcripts, identification, proof of language proficiency, and possibly a background check). The regulatory body will evaluate your credentials to determine if they are up to par with those in Spain. After being accepted, you’ll pay some fees and get a membership certificate to practice nursing there.
Step 7. Background Checks
To immigrate to Spain as a nurse, health clearances and criminal background checks are necessary. Immigration, residence permit, and professional registration applicants undergo criminal background to ensure no prior convictions affect their eligibility. In addition, health clearances verify that applicants are free of contagious diseases and public health risks.
Step 8. Health Insurance
Obtain health insurance coverage in Spain. In Spain, notable private health insurance providers include Sanitas, Adeslas, Asisa, DKV, and Mapfre.
Step 9. Residence Permit
To immigrate to Spain as a nurse successfully, you need to get a Spanish residence permit. Once you arrive in Spain, you will need to apply for a residence permit, either a temporary or long-term one, based on your specific situation. To obtain the appropriate visa, you must obtain a Foreigner Identification Number (NIE), gather required documents, complete a background check, apply for a permit, submit biometrics, pay fees, prove your address, and await approval.
Step 10. Renewals and Permanent Residency
To solidify the process and immigrate to Spain as a nurse completely, you should be aware of the requirements for obtaining permanent residency or citizenship and renewing your residence permit.
Residence Permit Renewal
- Before the expiration of your current permit, make sure you renew it.
- Renewal applications must include proof of continuous legal residence in Spain.
- Follow Spanish laws, maintain financial stability, and have health insurance.
Long-Term Residency (Permanent Residency)
- Applying for long-term residency in Spain after five years of legal residence is possible.
- An absence of more than six months per year is crucial for continuous residence.
- Make sure you and your family have sufficient financial resources.
- It is essential to have a clean criminal record.
- One way to demonstrate sufficient integration is to pass an exam in Spanish language and culture.
- Generally, it takes several months for your permanent residency application to be processed.
What are the Requirements for the Nursing Aptitude Test (EIR)?
The Nursing Aptitude Test (EIR) is recommended for nurses who want to work in Spanish public healthcare. It is necessary to have a nursing degree, fluency in Spanish (requirements vary by region), legal residency in Spain, and an application fee (varies by region).
How to Sign Up for the Nursing Aptitude Test (EIR)?
To work as a nurse in Spanish public healthcare, consider the Nursing Aptitude Test (EIR) and follow these steps:
- There is a test held in January every year, so make sure you are aware of your region’s deadlines and dates.
- Applicants should submit their applications through the Spanish Ministry of Health’s website or local testing authorities. Pay the fee and include your personal and nursing degree details.
- Once registered, you’ll receive confirmation of the test date, time, and location.
- Ensure you arrive on time with your confirmation, ID, and documentation.
Where Can Nurses Register in Spain?
To immigrate to Spain as a nurse and start working, you must first register with one of the country’s professional associations, the General Nursing Council being the leading authority.
You must first register with the professional association in the region where you intend to work. Specializations are not considered in the registration because they are generic, but they are for the association’s organizational and internal information reasons.
What Documentation Will I Need to Submit to Register Correctly?
Typically, you will need the following documents to register with a nursing association:
- If no Official University Degree Certificate is available, a Provisional Supplementary Certificate will be issued instead.
- Original and photocopied academic credentials.
- If applicable, a specialty certificate.
- Two photos (digital only).
- Original and photocopy of national ID card.
- Payment account details for fees.
- Registration fee payment proof.
For foreign degrees, add:
- A passport or a foreigner’s identification card (NIE).
- Certificate of equivalency/recognition from the relevant government ministry.
- If you are not fluent in Spanish, you need a sworn translation from your home country’s authorities.
How to Work as a Nurse in Private Sectors in Spain?
To immigrate to Spain as a nurse and work in the private sector, you must find job postings from private healthcare providers or recruitment agencies, apply for positions that match your qualifications, and meet their specific hiring requirements. Additionally, language proficiency and nursing credential verification are critical to finding work in the private sector.
How to Work as a Nurse in Nursing Homes in Spain?
If you don’t have clinical or hospital experience, or if you don’t feel at ease working in those settings, your best bet is to start working at a nursing home. Spanish proficiency and a nursing degree are required to work in nursing homes in Spain. Find job openings through different channels after you get your nursing license and registration. Take time to prepare for interviews, follow the law, and consider continuing professional development. Prepare to adapt to local healthcare practices. Learn about nursing home legal and ethical responsibilities in Spain.
How to Find Nursing Jobs in Spain?
To find nursing jobs in Spain for foreigners:
- Use keywords like “nurse” to search job platforms (e.g., Infojobs, Indeed, LinkedIn).
- Quiron Preventcion and Ananda are professional nursing staffing agencies.
- Network with employers at healthcare job fairs.
- Participate in online forums, attend seminars, and join professional groups.
- Directly contact the HR department of healthcare organizations in your preferred location.
How Much is the Salary of Nurses in Spain?
In Spain, the average monthly salary for a Nurse is roughly 2,350 EUR. Wages range from 1,180 EUR to 3,650 EUR.
Salary for Nursing in Spain Based on Experience
- Nurses with less than two years of experience may expect to earn around 1,410 EUR per month.
- A nurse with two to five years of experience is estimated to earn 1,870 EUR monthly.
- A nurse with five to 10 years of experience earns a monthly salary of 2,500 EUR.
- Nurses with experience ranging from ten to fifteen years earn a monthly pay of 2,980 EUR.
- If the nurse’s experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, the monthly salary is 3,210 EUR.
- Nurses with over twenty years of professional experience get a monthly pay of 3,450 EUR.
Salary for Nursing in Spain Based on Experience
- When the nurse’s education level is Bachelor’s Degree, the average monthly wage is 2,020 EUR.
- A nurse with a Master’s Degree earns 3,180 EUR a month.
Nursing Recruitment Agencies in Spain
- TTA Personal GmbH
- ID Medical
- Medacs Healthcare
- Jon & Jon Medical
- RGN Global Healthcare
- Amplia Health
- Euromotion Medical
- Cpl Healthcare
- HCL Workforce Solutions
- Globe Locums
Nursing Jobs in Spain for Foreigners
- Staff Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Intensive Care Nurse
- Surgical Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Geriatric Nurse
- Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Home Health Nurse
- Nurse Educator
- Operating Room (OR) Nurse
- Hospice Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
English Speaking Nurse Jobs in Spain
- International Patient Liaison Nurse
- Medical Tourism Coordinator
- Telehealth Nurse
- Clinical Research Nurse
- Nurse Educator for English-Speaking Students
- Travel Nurse
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Healthcare Consultant for Expats
- Medical Writer or Editor
- Occupational Health Nurse
LPN Jobs in Spain
There are relatively few positions for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Spain compared to Registered Nurses (RNs). Nursing degrees are often required for healthcare roles in Spain. In the private healthcare sector, LPNs might find opportunities in support roles or facilities tailored to their needs. You should contact healthcare institutions or agencies for available LPN positions in Spain.
Immigrate to Spain as a Nurse: Let’s Recap
Practicing nursing in Spain as an immigrant offers unique professional growth and cultural immersion. Education, qualification recognition, and legal requirements are necessary, but the rewards are worth it. Spain’s healthcare industry welcomes dedicated nurses worldwide, making it a promising destination for those who want to contribute to global healthcare while enjoying Spain’s beauty and vibrancy. Be prepared for a rewarding journey as you pursue your dream to immigrate to Spain as a nurse.
FAQs
The average monthly salary for a Nurse is roughly 2,350 EUR.
In Spain, nurses are permitted to work as long as they meet the required qualifications and obtain the necessary licenses and permits.
If you meet the required licensing and qualification requirements, including linguistic proficiency, you can immigrate to Spain as a nurse and start working as a nurse in Spain.
It is typically required that you hold a recognized nursing degree, have proficiency in Spanish, and be registered and licensed to practice nursing in Spain.
Spanish nursing standards and some recognition or equivalency procedures apply to English nurses who want to work in Spain.
Nursing staffing agencies, healthcare job fairs, and job platforms are good places to search for mental health nurse jobs in Spain. Nurses and language learners must meet country requirements.
- Published by
- Max-B.
- 4 Comments
Hi i am a nurse in Thailand, i want to be nurse in Spain. What are the detailed processes?
If you are from Thailand and want to work as a nurse in Spain, you will usually have to go through a few steps. This includes checking your nursing credentials with the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport, learning Spanish to speak fluently, getting the right work visa, asking the Spanish Ministry of Health to recognize your credentials, passing professional nursing exams (which can be different in each region), finding a nursing job in Spain, and making sure you follow all of Spain’s residency and integration rules. Remember that the exact rules and steps may be different in different parts of Spain, so it’s important to get the most up-to-date information from the Spanish government and healthcare institutions.
Soy enfermera de Venezuela
If you’re a nurse in Venezuela and want to move to Spain, you’ll need to have your credentials recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The next step is to become a member of the nursing board in the area where you plan to practice. Knowing Spanish well is essential. A job offer from a Spanish company is usually required in order to apply for a work visa. Explore online postings and make direct contact with Spanish healthcare institutions to launch your search. Understanding the Spanish healthcare system will help you adjust more quickly and easily. Be sure to double check the most recent data with authoritative sources, as regulations are subject to change.