Spain
Korea Visa Guide
Spain and Korea enjoy strong bilateral relations, with Spanish citizens benefiting from 90-day visa-free entry, K-ETA suspension, and an active Working Holiday (H-1) agreement. The Spanish community in Korea is known for its presence in language education (Spanish is the most-studied language after English and Chinese at Korean universities), tech, and the arts. Korea's popularity in Spain has grown rapidly with the Korean Wave, driving a significant increase in Korean language learners, students, and professionals making the move to Korea.
No K-ETA required (suspended until 31 Dec 2026)
Spanish passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is suspended for Spanish citizens through 31 December 2026 as part of Korea's EU bilateral tourism promotion. From 1 January 2027, K-ETA may be required again unless extended. Confirm the current status at the Korean Embassy in Madrid or Consulate in Barcelona before travel.
Visa-free stay
90 days (tourism/business)
K-ETA required?
No — suspended until 31 Dec 2026
EPS partner country?
No
E-2 treaty country?
No
Working Holiday eligible?
Yes (H-1, age 18–30)
Korean Embassy
Madrid + Consulate in Barcelona
Working Holiday
PopularSpain has an active H-1 Working Holiday agreement with Korea. Spanish citizens aged 18–30 can live and work in Korea for 1 year. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Madrid or Consulate in Barcelona.
Student
PopularStudy at a Korean university or language school. Spain has bilateral exchange agreements with many Korean universities. Korean government scholarships (GKS) are available to Spanish nationals.
Skilled Worker
PopularSpanish professionals in IT, engineering, design, finance, and other specialties with a Korean job offer can apply for E-7. Spanish language specialists are in demand at Korean companies operating in Latin American markets.
Digital Nomad
Remote workers earning USD 84,000+/year from a non-Korean employer can live in Korea for up to 2 years on F-1-D. Spain's growing digital nomad culture makes this a natural fit.
Job Seeker / Startup
Already in Korea on valid status and actively looking for a job offer or exploring a startup? D-10 gives you 6 months to pursue opportunities without immediate employer sponsorship.
Marriage Migrant
Married to a Korean national? F-6 provides unrestricted work rights and a path to F-5 permanent residency after meeting income, language, and cohabitation requirements.
Can Spanish speakers teach Spanish in Korea on a work visa?
Yes. Spanish language instruction in Korea is a growing field — Korean universities, language institutes, and corporate training programs hire Spanish teachers. The appropriate visa is E-7 (Specific Activities) under the language instructor occupation code. Unlike E-2 (which is restricted to 7 native English-speaking countries), E-7 for Spanish teaching is open to Spanish nationals. Requirements: Spanish citizenship or native-speaker credentials, a relevant qualification (degree in Hispanic philology, education, linguistics, or DELE instructor certification), and a Korean employer willing to sponsor the E-7 application. Spain's Real Instituto Cervantes also has a presence in Seoul, which occasionally posts instructor openings.
How does the H-1 Working Holiday visa work for Spanish citizens?
Spain has an active H-1 Working Holiday bilateral agreement with Korea. Eligibility: ① Spanish citizenship ② Age 18–30 at time of application ③ Valid passport ④ Sufficient funds (~KRW 3,000,000 / ~€2,000 equivalent) ⑤ No accompanying dependants. The visa is valid for 1 year and allows work in most sectors. Annual quotas are limited — apply early in the year. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Madrid or the Consulate General in Barcelona. Entry without a one-way ticket is required; accommodation proof is needed at the port of entry.
Do Spanish documents need apostille for Korean visa applications?
Yes. Spain is a Hague Convention member. Spanish civil documents (birth certificates / certificado de nacimiento, criminal record / certificado de antecedentes penales, degree certificates, marriage certificates) can be apostilled. Apostille is issued by the Ministerio de Justicia (for many civil documents) or by the relevant regional Tribunal Superior de Justicia for court-issued documents. After apostille, Spanish documents in Spanish require certified Korean or English translation. Allow 2–4 weeks including apostille and translation.
Are there many Korean companies in Spain that could sponsor E-7 visas?
Yes. Major Korean conglomerates (Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia, POSCO) have operations in Spain, particularly in renewable energy, automotive, and consumer electronics. These companies occasionally hire Spanish staff for roles in Korea — business development, logistics, regional coordination, and translation/interpretation. Spanish nationals with business Korean fluency (TOPIK 5–6) are particularly competitive for these roles. LinkedIn, the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Madrid, and direct outreach to Korean companies' European headquarters are good starting points.
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