How to land an internship in Madrid as an international

Looking for an internship in Madrid? Read our article to find out how to land your dream role in Madrid as an international.

Ivandzhelin

2 minute read

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Updated on 1 Sep 2023

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Studying

Combining historical architecture with a dynamic business field, Madrid is an attractive spot for international students and graduates working towards their career goals. The strong purchasing power of the Madrid metropolitan area attracts international companies from the industries of business, finance, marketing and public service. Doing an internship at this economic hub will be a sure-shot way to kickstart your career.

Yet, finding an internship, especially for an international, is a challenging task. To help you land your dream position, we did the research on everything you need to know, from your application documents to the companies looking for interns.

A big reason to intern in Madrid is the opportunities available. For instance, several of the highest-ranked business schools in Spain, which partner with companies offering internships, are in Madrid.

Besides opportunities, an internship in Madrid means you’ll be able to enjoy the Spanish culture and cuisine, a vibrant nightlife and sunny weather whilst gaining invaluable working experience.

More than that, the Spanish capital is considered to be one of the major financial centres in Southern Europe providing work opportunities for nationals and internationals alike. Doing an internship in Madrid teaches you how to balance a high standard of living with the enjoyment of la buena vida.

Companies offering internships in Madrid

If your internship is part of your studies the easiest way to find available positions is by checking out the career page of your university or Erasmusintern. Other great places are LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Spain internship.

International and domestic companies have headquarters in the city and offer internships in English. Companies which tend to offer English-speaking internships include:

• Amazon
• BNP Paribas
• Santander
• Huawei
• Phillips
• LVMH
• Pandora

A lot of companies and organisations in the city also offer summer internships in English. Companies such as:

• Spotify
• Baker McKenzie
• GMV
• Fever

So why not get the best of both worlds this summer by living in beautiful Madrid and starting working on your career?

To do an internship in Madrid you’ll need a few documents: 1. A valid ID (EU/EEA) or passport 2. A Spanish student visa or residence authorisation for an internship (non-EU/EEA) 3. Internship learning agreement (for study internship) or internship contract (for graduate/paid internship) 4. An NIE number and a social security number for paid internships. Unpaid interns need proof of funds to support themselves for the duration of their placement.

There’re 2 types of internships in Spain: curricular internships (part of your study) or extracurricular internships (post-graduation internships). The duration of the internships is often determined by the field and company you're working for. Positions in the field of hospitality and tourism are often between 2 and 6 months, whereas, in the business sector, they’re longer (3 to 12 months).

Most internationals choose to intern in Madrid during their studies as the majority of offers are unpaid or have low pay. There're paid internships but you need to make sure your resume is strong because the competition is fierce.

Students, don’t forget to check if you qualify for an Erasmus grant, as they have internships or placements for which you receive support.

Regardless, the cost of living in Madrid is relatively low compared to other European capitals, like Amsterdam or London. You can expect a monthly cost of living of around €1,520, including rent. Depending on which neighbourhood in Madrid you choose, your rent can go higher or lower.

Madrid is one of the most international cities in Spain, meaning that you can get by with just English. The internship opportunities the city provides are vast, so you’ll be able to find an internship without learning Spanish. But why not take the opportunity while you’re there to learn the 4th most spoken language in the world?

Now that you know what to expect, you're ready to apply for your dream position and live la vida loca in Madrid. Good luck!

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