Who this is for. Land roles in Spain: chefs, hosts and stewards in private villas and event venues. Working on a yacht instead? See Right to work: Spain (yacht crew).
Quick answer. Spain is in the EU. If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can work here with no permit. Everyone else, including UK passport holders, needs a work and residence authorisation sorted before the job starts. On land there is no seafarer route, so ordinary work-permit rules apply.
Do villa and venue staff need a work permit in Spain?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a work permit; if you work or stay beyond three months you register and get an NIE (foreigner's number). Everyone else needs a work and residence authorisation, which is employer or host sponsored, before you can start.
Official source
Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (immigration) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visas). Confirm the current rules for your nationality before you travel.
What we ask of you
Keep your nationality correct in your profile; it tells us your EU status.
If you hold a work permit for Spain, tick the work-permit box.
Tell us early if your right to work is not sorted, so we can help before your dates.
Important
Immigration rules change and vary by nationality. This is general orientation, not legal advice, and Quarterdeck is not an immigration adviser. Confirm your own position with the official source above before you travel. We will not place you in Spain if you do not hold the right to work. See also: Do I need a work permit to work in a chalet or private villa?