Confirm eligibility first

Verify your profile fits: highly qualified professional, researcher/scientist, or recent graduate of a prestigious universityThis is narrower than general "move and find work" — check before investing in the application.
Confirm you do NOT already have a Spanish job offerIf you already have an offer, your employer sponsors a standard work permit directly instead — faster and doesn't burn your 12-month window.

Documents to gather

Valid passport (1+ year remaining validity)
Proof of qualifications (degree, certifications, or research credentials, apostilled)
CV and statement of your job-search plan / target sector
Financial proof for the full requested period (~€600/month, 100% IPREM)Consulates expect funds for the whole 12 months up front, not a rolling monthly amount.
Private health insurance (Spanish-authorized, full coverage, no copays)
Apostilled criminal record certificate (past 5 years)Sworn-translated into Spanish.
Passport-sized photographs

Book a consular appointment in your country of legal residence
Submit documents in person; pay the visa fee (~€60-80)
Wait 30-45 days for a decisionAdministrative silence is negative for this category — confirm status directly rather than assuming approval.
Collect your visa; travel to Spain before validity expires

Empadronamiento at your local Ayuntamiento
Do not accept any paid work before a permit is grantedWorking during this period — even informally — is a serious immigration violation.
Track your 12-month deadline from day oneNon-renewable — no extension exists if it lapses.

File the work-and-residence permit application from within Spain immediatelyMust be filed before your 12 months expire — don't wait until the final weeks.
Continue in job-seeker status while the work-permit application processes
Apply for your TIE once the work permit is approved