October 2026
Spain Work Visa for Nurses & Doctors
Spain's Highly Qualified Professional Permit for Healthcare
Spain is facing one of the most significant healthcare shortages in Europe — an estimated 100,000 additional nurses needed to match the EU average, and a projected shortfall of 9,000 doctors by 2027, driven largely by a wave of retirements. Regional governments across Spain are actively recruiting internationally to close this gap.
Since late 2025, Spain introduced a fast-track version of the degree recognition process for applicants who already have a Spanish job offer, cutting the standard timeline down to around 3 months instead of much longer.
Your whole family can come with you, with full work rights. Your spouse, registered partner, and children can apply alongside you and are authorized to both live and work in Spain once approved. The initial permit runs up to 3 years, renewable in further 2-year periods.
If you're a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional, Spain's shortage works in your favor here. Let's find out if your background qualifies.
What's Driving the Demand
Doctors currently see the fastest approval rates, with specialties like radiology, psychiatry, anesthesiology, and rural general practice especially sought after
Nursing remains one of the largest areas of overall national need, even outside the fastest-moving specialties
Degree recognition (homologación) is a routine, well-defined process — not a sign that something's wrong with your qualifications
No Spanish or English language certificate is required for the permit itself, and there's no meaningful upper age limit
Documents
Valid passport
Medical or nursing degree (original, legalized or apostilled)
Academic transcripts and detailed study program records
Sworn Spanish translation of any non-Spanish documents
Valid health insurance and clean criminal record certificate
Signed employment contract
90 successful applicationsfor this program