Question
“Any American nurses here? How hard was it for you to find a job as a nurse in Spain?”
Answers
These are the answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“To transfer an American nursing license to Spain, you must undergo a formal recognition process for your nursing degree called homologación, which is handled by the Spanish government’s Ministry of Education. You also need to become proficient in Spanish to at least a B2 level, have your qualifications approved by a local Colegio de Enfermería (Nursing College), and obtain a work visa, often requiring sponsorship from a Spanish employer. This is a lengthy and challenging process that may involve taking additional coursework in Spanish.
Degree Recognition (Homologación)
Apply for Homologación: You must apply to have your foreign nursing degree recognized as equivalent to a Spanish degree. This process is handled by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MEFP) or a Spanish consulate.
Potential Additional Coursework: Depending on the assessment, you may be required to complete additional coursework at a Spanish university to meet the standards for a Spanish nursing degree.
Language Proficiency
Learn Spanish: Fluency in Spanish is essential, with a B2 level being a common requirement for working in the healthcare field.
Registration with a Nursing College
Contact the Local Colegio de Enfermería: Once your degree is recognized and you are proficient in Spanish, you must register with the professional nursing association (Colegio de Enfermería) in the Spanish region where you intend to work. Requirements and fees can vary between different colleges.
Work Visa and Immigration
Secure a Work Visa: To work in Spain, you’ll need to obtain a work visa, which typically requires a job offer and sponsorship from a Spanish employer.
Obtain a Residence Permit: after getting your visa, you’ll also need to apply for a residence permit to live and work in Spain.”
“if your native language is Spanish. Why don’t you try to do a level exam en La Escuela de Idiomas? There is also a Facebook group called Enfermeros en UK they talk quite regularly about the homologation process. Hope it helps. Good luck”
“As far as I know, it’s almost impossible to be a nurse in another country unless you take all their requirements and pass their testing and are able to speak fluently of their language. At least that’s what I know coming from the US.”
“Ireland is open to foreign nurses. Germany too, but with a B2 level of German.”
“I guess I should have also mentioned I’m a nurse practitioner, I’m aware that no one uses them in Europe except maybe England.”
“you are right.the UK has nurse practitioners”
“not true. Easy in the UK, and other English speaking countries but Spain makes it almost impossible even if you are bilingual in Spanish. Spanish nurses have more clinical hours and the Spanish government wont take your work hours as clinical hours.”
“Im a nurse but havent moved yet. Id assume youd have to work as an unlicensed caregiver unless you did the requirements for a spanish nursing license. I just figure im going to have to change careers.”
“but how do you know you will make enough money to live decently? That is my only worry.”
“our plan is to try to set up as much passive income sources as we can before we go – passive income doesnt count towards a non lucrative visa and cross the bridges otherwise as we get there. We have the advantage that my husband is mexican, kids mexican by descent, so they all would be eligible for residency after 2 years and hopefully therefore I would follow.”
“please research because our education is not equivalent to Spanish BSN which the minimum requirement. You need to meet the educational requirements, pass Spanish fluency test, and then apply for the license. Also, jobs first going to Spanish citizens, the EU then the rest”
“as a native English speaker you could teach. English is my fourth language- I speak with an accent so can’t do that- but it would be fun 🙂 I learned it as ELS so could teach but I don’t sound like an American unfortunately”
“Nursing is nothing like the US or UK. Having had the experience.
No teaching whatsoever, no personal care.
The other night there were 2 nurses for 34 patients post op. Impossible to get a clean gown!”
“Not realistic whatsoever. I’m sorry but there are way to many people in this group who know nothing to very little about the actual culture (not big C culture like stuff people learn in their middle school Spanish classes but little c culture like daily life, career, how to function in society, etc …)who assume that their salaries, size of homes, etc … will just automatically be in Spain or any other country waiting for them to just take. That simply will not be the case. Unless you are independently wealthy or have a steady stream of income, I just don’t think this is very realistic unless you are prepared to drastically alter your lifestyle and standard of living. I am not saying this to be mean or say that it cannot work, but I have lived in four counties and learned the hard way. If you cannot speak Spanish fluently, it’s unlikely you will find any job that can support you even minimally given the current economy in Spain.”
“I’m a nurse here in Florida and was hoping I could work part time in Spain. But from what I’ve gathered from the posts here, it wouldn’t be easy to meet the requirements. For one, one has to be fluent in Spanish. While I can communicate with our many “Spanish speaking only” patients, I am far from fluent.
So I wouldn’t qualify. That’s only one of the hurdles I’d have to overcome.”
“also you would make very little money, I don’t think the struggle would be worth it to stay in nursing”
“I agree”
“My thoughts on working overseas might be very different than the autonomy the we have if coming from US. I’ve thought about taking travel jobs if living overseas in the US or Dubai.”
“Spain a great place to retire not to work”
“CRNA here. Planning on traveling back to states to work locums every few months. Need to figure out the VISA and tax situation tho.”
“I’m a nurse in the US and currently looking into utilizing my Masters to be able to teach online. Has this been in discussion here yet?”
“Getting your Spanish license is extremely hard IF you can get one.”
“I researched thr topic as I am EU citizen and I could work. First off all only of the 3 colleges I attended sent me my transcripts notarized and apostilled. The other two I was emailing back and forth as they repeated that I should request my transcripts from school like we normally do. They could not comprehend the ” I need my transcripts for another country”. It was painful but ziemi got it, only to learn that my BSN does not have enough credit hours, deductic hours and clinical hours. There is a requisit for all three to be listed on the transcript. I would have to go back to school even though I hold a MSN. I was not interested even though I am fluent in Spanish. If you are a US nurse and you got your homologacion please let us know what you did 🙂”
Conclusion
From this discussion, the consensus is that to work as a nurse in Spain, American-trained nurses face a demanding pathway. Homologación of the nursing degree, B2-level Spanish, registration with a regional Colegio de Enfermería, and a valid work authorization are common hurdles that can take months and may require extra coursework.
Members also highlighted practical realities: Spanish BSN standards may exceed U.S. program hours, salaries are generally lower, and the job market prioritizes Spanish and EU candidates. Some nurses consider alternative paths like teaching online, unlicensed caregiving roles, or working locum shifts back in the U.S. while living in Spain.
If your goal is to work as a nurse in Spain, plan for a long homologation process, invest in language proficiency, and explore backup income options or career pivots while your credentials are assessed.
This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
