Work

Working on yachts in Spain

To work in Spain, including daywork in Mallorca, you need the legal right to work here and a proper employment contract registered with Social Security, never cash in hand. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can start straight away; most others need Spanish residence with work rights, or a working holiday or student permit. A Schengen visa or 90-day visa-free stay never allows work, not even for a day, and since October 2025 the EU Entry/Exit System records every entry and exit.

Check your own route in BridgeStart your Daywork Pass

Who can do shore daywork

  • EU / EEA / Swiss national

    Citizens of EU, EEA and Switzerland

    What to show
    Passport or national ID card
    Note
    Needs an NIE and a Social Security number; the ETT can arrange the Social Security number

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • EU family member

    Non-EU spouse or partner of an EU citizen

    What to show
    EU family member residence card
    Note
    Full work rights

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • UK Withdrawal Agreement resident

    Brits resident in Spain before 2021

    What to show
    TIE marked "Artículo 50 TUE"
    Note
    Full work rights

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Spanish residence with work

    Non-EU with Spanish residence and work authorisation, incl. long-term residents

    What to show
    TIE showing it authorises work
    Limits
    As stated on the TIE
    Note
    Check the expiry date

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Working holiday visa

    Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea; ages 18–30 (Canada up to 35)

    What to show
    Working holiday visa plus TIE
    Limits
    Up to 12 months; max 6 months with the same employer
    Note
    Ask the ETT whether the 6 months counts per ETT or per yacht

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Student

    Non-EU students on a Spanish study stay

    What to show
    Student stay authorisation
    Limits
    Up to 30 hours a week
    Note
    Allowed since RD 1155/2024 took effect on 20 May 2025

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

No right to work ashore

  • Visitor / Schengen stay

    Anyone on a Schengen visa or 90-day visa-free stay (e.g. UK, US, South Africa, Australia without a working holiday visa)

    No work allowed — Tourism and business visits only

    Short-contract crew is possible only if a yacht employs you as crew under its flag. Schengen stay limits still apply, and the yacht's agent confirms your immigration status.

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Residence in another EU country

    e.g. a South African resident in France

    No work in Spain — Residence and work rights are national, not Schengen-wide

    Short-contract crew is possible only if a yacht employs you as crew under its flag. Schengen stay limits still apply, and the yacht's agent confirms your immigration status.

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Digital nomad visa

    Remote workers for foreign companies

    Not for Spanish employers — Doesn't cover being employed through a Spanish ETT

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Non-lucrative visa

    Non-EU residents with their own means

    No work allowed

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

  • Crew list only

    Crew on a foreign-flag yacht

    Flag state and MLC; Schengen stay limits still apply — The crew list does not legalise shore daywork; the yacht's agent confirms status

    Short-contract crew is possible only if a yacht employs you as crew under its flag. Schengen stay limits still apply, and the yacht's agent confirms your immigration status.

    General information only, not legal advice. We keep it up to date, but rules change and every case is different, so treat it like any information you find online. Check with an immigration lawyer before you go ahead.

Common mistakes

  • "I'm on a Schengen visa"

    Visitor stays never allow work

    Short-contract crew route, or get a working holiday or residence permit

  • "I live in France / Holland"

    Other EU residence permits don't give work rights in Spain

    Check for Spanish authorisation; otherwise the crew route

  • "I'm on the crew list"

    The crew list doesn't make shore work legal

    Use the short-contract crew track with an MLC employer

  • "I'm British, arrived after 2021"

    UK nationals are non-EU unless resident before 2021

    Spanish permit, or the crew route; watch the UK–EU youth scheme

  • "I have a digital nomad visa"

    Covers remote work for foreign companies, not Spanish employers

    Not eligible for ETT daywork

  • UK–EU youth scheme

    Under negotiation; nothing agreed as of March 2026

    Re-check before launch; it would open the biggest crew group