Valencia's Job Market for Expats in 2026
Record-High Employment in the Valencian Community
The Valencian labor market is experiencing its best moment. According to the EPA (Labour Force Survey) for the second quarter of 2026, the Valencian Community reached 2,413,600 employed persons, the highest figure in its history, with unemployment at a 17-year low. The unemployment rate in the province of Valencia stands at 11.52%, with a downward trend.
Relevant data for newcomers: 26.11% of contracts in Valencia are made to foreign nationals, a higher percentage than the national average (24.19%), indicating a good receptivity of the Valencian labor market towards the international population.
Sectors with the Most Opportunities for Expats
The sectors that most frequently hire international residents are:
- Hospitality (restaurants and accommodation) — High turnover, accessible entry
- Personal care — Care for the elderly and dependents, constant demand
- Retail — Especially sales assistants
- Logistics and transport — Delivery drivers, warehouse workers
- Cleaning — Buildings, offices, homes
- Construction — Gradually recovering
The most frequently contracted occupations include: manufacturing laborers, waiters/waitresses, cleaning staff, retail salespeople, childcare providers, and transport drivers.
Reference Salaries in Valencia 2026
| Indicator | Valencia | Spain |
|-----------|----------|--------|
| Average annual gross salary | 24,510-25,487€ | 26,949-28,050€ |
| Average monthly gross salary | 1,739-1,747€ | 1,920€ |
| SMI 2026 monthly (14 payments) | 1,184€ gross | — |
| SMI annual | 16,576€ gross | — |
By sector in Valencia
- Industry: 1,872€/month (historical record)
- Services: 1,721€/month
- Construction: 1,603€/month
Essential Job Boards
| Portal | Type | URL |
|--------|------|-----|
| InfoJobs | Leading generalist in Spain | infojobs.net |
| LinkedIn | Professional network, qualified profiles | linkedin.com |
| Indeed | Meta-search engine that aggregates offers | es.indeed.com |
| LABORA | Valencian public employment service | labora.gva.es |
| Turijobs | Specializing in hospitality and tourism | turijobs.com |
| Jobtoday | Immediate employment, hospitality | jobtoday.com |
⚠️ Important: Registration with LABORA is mandatory to access subsidized training and certain aid.
Validation of University Degrees
When is it mandatory?
Only for regulated professions: medicine, nursing, architecture, civil engineering, law, health psychology, veterinary, pharmacy.
Required documentation
- Original university degree with apostille
- Legalized and apostilled transcript of records
- Study plan with course hours
- Identity document
- Sworn translations if applicable
- Proof of fee payment: 166.50€
Estimated processing times
- Unregulated degrees: 6-12 months
- Regulated professions: 12-24 months
- Complex cases: up to 2-3 years
🔗 Recommended online processing: universidades.sede.gob.es
Faster alternative: For NON-regulated professions, apply for equivalence to the MECES level (Spanish Qualifications Framework), which recognizes the academic level without equating it to a specific degree.
Legal Requirements for Working
⚠️ The NIE alone DOES NOT authorize one to work. A work permit is required, which can be obtained through:
Arraigo laboral (Work permit by roots)
Requires 2 years of continuous residence (as of May 2026), no criminal record, and a full-time contract of at least 1 year.
Hiring from one's home country
The Spanish employer requests authorization, followed by a visa at the Spanish Consulate in the applicant's country of origin.
Highly qualified worker authorization
For professionals with a salary exceeding 40,000€/year.
Professional Networking in Valencia
| Organization | Focus |
|--------------|---------|
| Valencia Acoge | Legal advice, job placement for newcomers |
| ASOCAVEN | Venezuelan events: Venetalento, Gastroruta (cultural and culinary events) |
| Connecting People Valencia | Professional networking by specialty |
| AJEVA | Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Valencia |
| ISO Trabajo Valencia | Specific socio-labor integration for migrants |
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Need career guidance in Valencia?
At Raíces Valencia, we help you integrate into the Valencian labor market. From guidance on work permits to connections with support networks.
Contact us today for personalized advice.