How do internships and placements work in Spain?
Internships and placements in Spain
In Spain, academic internships allow you to apply knowledge from a degree program in a company, an institution or the university itself, with an educational project and supervision. They can be curricular or extracurricular. There are also employment contracts aimed at gaining professional practice, but they are a different arrangement.
To compare an offer, start by identifying whether you will join through an academic agreement or an employment contract. That distinction changes the access requirements, pay, duration and applicable rights.Â
Curricular and extracurricular internships
The curricular ones are part of the study plan. The extracurricular ones are undertaken voluntarily during your studies and are not included in that plan as a compulsory subject. Both must have an educational purpose, tasks related to your studies, and monitoring.
The Royal Decree 592/2014 on university external academic internships establishes the general framework: an educational cooperation agreement, an educational project and tutors from the university and the collaborating entity. Internships must not be used to replace jobs.
The duration of curricular internships follows the study plan. For extracurricular ones, the conditions set by the university within the regulatory framework apply. There is no identical duration for all degrees nor can it be claimed that any curricular internship necessarily carries sixty credits.
Do university internships have to be paid?
The academic internship system does not establish universal pay. There may be a grant or study allowance when provided for in the terms of the placement. Check the amount, frequency, covered expenses and who makes the payment.
Also review the real cost of taking part: travel, meals, temporary accommodation or materials. Financial support may not cover everything you need. Raise these questions before accepting, especially if the internship requires attending several locations or living away from your city for a time.
Training quality matters as much as financial terms. Ask what duties you will perform, who will answer your questions and how your progress will be assessed. An offer that cannot describe the expected learning deserves a review with the university.
Registration and contributions to Social Security
Since 1 January 2024, training placements included in the corresponding scheme have been covered by Social Security even when they are unpaid, with the legally provided conditions and exceptions. The official guide on contribution for students in placements explains how it works.
The party responsible for Social Security obligations depends on the type of placement and what applies under the agreement. Before starting, confirm who processes the registration and provide your Social Security number through the indicated channels. If you do not have one, ask how to request it.
What is the contract for obtaining professional practice
The training contract for obtaining professional practice is an employment contract for people who already hold a suitable qualification. The SEPE explains its requirements and distinguishes it from alternance training.
As a general rule, it must be concluded within three years after completion of studies, or five in the case provided for persons with disabilities. Its duration is between six months and one year, within the applicable legal and collective agreement conditions.
It includes individual training plan, tutoring and salary. Therefore, if you have already finished your education, do not assume that you need to enrol in another course to access any first professional experience. Also examine job offers compatible with your qualification.
How to find and apply for a place
Consult the placements, employment or educational cooperation service at your university. Some opportunities are allocated through an academic procedure; others require submitting an application. Check credits passed, enrolment, incompatibilities and application dates.
If you find an organisation on your own, ask whether the university can formalise the agreement and how far in advance. Do not start assuming that the hours will be recognised afterwards. Approval of the organisation and signing of the documents may require prior procedures.
Adapt your CV to the tasks in the offer. Include projects you can explain and distinguish academic activities from previous jobs. A small portfolio, with decisions and results well described, usually provides more information than an extensive list of tools without context.
What to review during the experience and at the end
Keep the training project, the agreed schedule and your tutors' contacts. Request meetings to review progress and record the activities that will be useful for the final report. If the tasks or location change, check how the modification must be authorized.
When the internship ends, ask for the evaluation and the corresponding accreditation. Before publishing completed work, check permissions and confidentiality. On your resume, describe your contribution without presenting the entire team's output as your own.
Do Vocational Training internships work the same way?
Vocational Training in Spain has its own framework for company-based training and its dual systems. If you are studying FP, check the conditions of your program and your autonomous community; do not automatically apply university rules to that experience.
