Employment Contract Types and Regulations in Spain
Trial Period Rules
During the trial period, either party may terminate the employment relationship without alleging cause and without notice, unless otherwise agreed.
Temporary disability, maternity, adoption, or other circumstances affecting the employee during the trial period interrupt its calculation. This interruption always occurs by agreement between both parties.
No trial period can be established when the employee has previously exercised the same functions within the company, under any form of contract.
Promotion during the trial period may alter its terms.
Information Rights for Worker Representatives
A basic copy of the contract, formalized in writing, must be submitted within ten days to the legal representatives of the workers, who will sign it as proof of delivery. Extensions of these contracts, as well as any complaints regarding them, must also be notified within the same timeframe.
The copy must contain all basic contract details, except for personal information such as national identity number, address, marital status, or any other data affecting the employee’s personal privacy (Right to privacy).
Communication with Public Employment Services
Employers are required to inform the public employment services within ten working days, regardless of whether the contract has been formalized in writing.
- Working days: Days when work is performed, typically Monday to Saturday.
- Calendar days: Every day is counted.
The basic copy of employment contracts must also be submitted to public employment services.
Communication of the content of employment contracts or their extensions, and the submission of copies, can be done via the standard submission process for employment contracts or extensions to the public service. Communication can also be made through electronic means.
Any reference to public employment services refers to the Public State Employment Service and the relevant employment services of the autonomous communities (e.g., SOC in Catalonia).
Type of Contract and Timing
- Work or Service
- Temporary
- Eventual (Circumstances of Production)
Contracts with Economic Incentives
- Unemployed workers aged 16 to 30
- People over 45 years
- People over 52 years who are unemployment beneficiaries
- Permanent contracts for construction
- Transformation of temporary contracts into permanent
- Temporary contracts with bonuses
- Training contracts
- Other incentives
Contracts for Specific Groups
- Individuals with Disabilities (Permanent Contract)
- Individuals with Disabilities (Temporary Contract)
- Individuals with Disabilities (Training Contracts)
- Victims of Gender Violence
- Workers who are Victims of Social Exclusion
Contracts for Educational Purposes
- Internship Contract
- Training Contract
Full or Partial Retirement Contracts
- Relief Contract
- Contract to Advance Retirement Age
What is an Indefinite Contract?
This contract has a start date but no specified end date for the employment relationship.
What is a Fixed-Term or Temporary Contract?
This contract has a start date and a specified end date for the employment relationship.