Are internships in Spain paid? Everything you need to know

The internship system in Spain has changed significantly in recent years in response to the high level of temporary employment among young people and the need to strengthen employability during the educational stage.

In 2025, internships are no longer understood as an experience without rights, but as a regulated activity with obligations for companies and protection for students. This transformation is supported by legal reforms published in Spain’s Official State Gazette and by a public strategy aimed at improving access to the labor market, particularly for young people and international students.

Key points of the current regulations in Spain

Spanish regulations establish that all academic internships must be registered with the Social Security system, regardless of whether they are paid or unpaid. This obligation derives from Royal Decree Law 2/2023, which amended the General Social Security Law and ended the longstanding exclusion of thousands of students from Social Security coverage. The legal text can be consulted in the regulations governing Social Security contributions for internships.

Since January 1, 2024, students undertaking internships have been registered under a status equivalent to employed workers. This registration allows internship periods to count towards retirement, permanent disability and occupational contingencies. However, these contributions do not provide entitlement to unemployment benefits, which is a key difference compared with a standard employment contract.

Companies receive a 95% reduction in contributions for common contingencies, significantly reducing the cost of taking on students. This incentive has helped companies, particularly in cities such as Barcelona, maintain a stable supply of internships without creating a substantial financial burden.

The regulations also strengthen controls against the misuse of interns. The Intern Statute limits the number of students undertaking internships to 20% of the workforce and establishes a maximum of five people per tutor. These measures are intended to ensure that internships provide genuine educational value and do not replace permanent jobs.

Pay depending on the type of internship

There is no single answer to the question of whether company internships are paid. Compensation depends on the type of internship and the legal framework that governs it, although the current trend is moving towards financial compensation as a standard of quality.

• Curricular internships, which form part of the study program, are not subject to a general legal requirement for payment. Even so, many universities and educational institutions establish study allowances in their agreements. In sectors such as business, technology and logistics, these allowances generally range from €300 to €600 per month for part time internships.
• Extracurricular internships, which are voluntary, present a different situation. Payment is common and, in many cases, required under the applicable agreement, as these internships do not form part of the academic curriculum. In Barcelona, it is common to find paid extracurricular internships offering more than €700 per month.
• There are also non employment internships, regulated by Royal Decree 1543/2011, aimed at young graduates without previous professional experience. In these cases, the company must provide a minimum allowance equivalent to 80% of the IPREM, which in 2025 amounted to slightly more than €530 per month.
• Finally, training contracts, both work study training contracts and contracts for obtaining professional practice, involve a full employment relationship. Pay is determined according to the minimum wage or the applicable collective bargaining agreement, making these contracts the most stable option from a financial perspective.

Sectors with the most paid internship opportunities in Spain

The Spanish labor market maintained positive momentum in 2025, with employment growth and strong demand for qualified professionals. The sectors experiencing the greatest talent shortages are also those offering the highest number of paid internships, according to the BBVA Research report on the Spanish labor market.

STEM and digital transformation lead this trend. Technology companies, consulting firms and startups regularly offer paid internships for students specializing in data, programming, cybersecurity or business analytics. In Barcelona, these internships stand out both for their compensation and for their high rate of subsequent employment.

Project management and supply chain management have become strategic areas, driven by investment in infrastructure and business modernization. Students specializing in Project Management frequently gain access to paid internships in operations, logistics and consulting departments.

Another growing sector is renewable energy and sustainability. Spain has established itself as a leading European market for solar and wind energy, generating increasing demand for interns to work on projects with long term prospects.

Which companies should you choose for an internship in Spain?

Choosing the right company is essential to maximize the value of the experience. It is not enough for an internship to be paid, it should also provide learning opportunities, professional contacts and the possibility of continuing with the company afterwards.

• Multinational companies based in Barcelona offer structured internship programs with assigned tutors and clearly defined learning objectives. This environment is particularly attractive for those seeking their first professional experience in an international setting.
• The startup ecosystem offers a complementary alternative. Barcelona has established itself as one of Europe’s leading innovation hubs, resulting in a wide range of internship opportunities in digital companies, fintech and ecommerce businesses. In these environments, students often take on real responsibilities from the beginning.

The connection between education and practical experience is essential. Programs such as the Master in International Business STEM or the Master in Project Management provide access to internships aligned with high demand sectors. Understanding what a postgraduate degree is and what it is used for helps put the role of internships into context as a bridge between academic education and employment.

Among the most important criteria when choosing a company are its reputation for training, the compensation offered and genuine opportunities to continue professionally, all of which can be assessed through professional platforms and employment networks.