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Study, work, housing, business

Internships in Spain

An internship in a Spanish company is an excellent first step towards working abroad. Here is how internships work in Spain and where to find them.

An internship (prácticas) in Spain lets you gain experience in a foreign company, learn the working language and build useful contacts. Internships are widespread and regulated in Spain, especially for university students and recent graduates.

Types of internship

  • Prácticas curriculares: part of the study plan, requiring an agreement (convenio de cooperación educativa) between the university and the company. For a foreign student the agreement is between the home university and the Spanish company.
  • Prácticas extracurriculares: optional, still linked to a course of study, with a university agreement.
  • Training contract for professional practice: a real employment contract for those who finished their studies no more than three years earlier, with salary and contributions, introduced by the 2021 reform.

Since 2024 all interns, even unpaid ones, must be registered with Social Security by the company. Many internships include a grant (beca) of varying amount; those in big cities often do not cover rent.

Programmes

  • Erasmus+ traineeships: for university students and graduates within twelve months of graduating, from two to twelve months, with a monthly grant paid by the home university (see Erasmus in Spain).
  • Internships at EU institutions based in Spain, such as the EUIPO in Alicante, the EU Intellectual Property Office, or the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao.
  • Chambers of commerce and cultural institutes of your home country in Madrid and Barcelona.

LinkedIn, InfoJobs (prácticas section), Indeed, the careers portals of Spanish universities, EURES, Erasmus Intern and the careers pages of big Spanish companies, from Inditex to Telefónica, Iberdrola and Santander. Applications should be prepared in Spanish or English (see the CV and the cover letter).

Tips

Check the convenio, duration, hours, grant amount and whether the company provides insurance. Look for accommodation early and work out your budget (see the cost of living). A good internship often turns into a contract: see working in Spain.