The Spanish contract you’re signing, decoded

Indefinido vs temporal, probation periods, the convenio colectivo, payslips in 14 payments — what an English-speaking hire should understand before signing (2026).

Contract types

Since the 2022 labour reform the default is the contrato indefinido (permanent); temporary contracts are legal only for specific justified cases. You may also meet the fijo-discontinuo (permanent-seasonal — common in hospitality) and training/internship contracts. If an offer for a normal ongoing role insists on repeated short temporary contracts, that's a flag worth questioning.

What the contract references

Spanish contracts lean on the sector's convenio colectivo (collective agreement): minimum salary tables, hours, extra payments. Two quirks worth knowing: salaries are often quoted in 14 payments (12 monthly + 2 extra in July/December — same annual total, different monthly figure), and probation periods (periodo de prueba) are capped by law/convenio, commonly up to 6 months for degree-holder roles.

Your safety net

Everything official about your employment life — contribution history (vida laboral), unemployment rights — lives with Social Security and SEPE. Statutory minimums (SMI, holidays — 30 calendar days/year, notice) apply regardless of what a contract says. Official starting points: Ministerio de Trabajo and SEPE.

Orientation, not legal advice: rules change and cases differ. Every section links the official source — always verify there or with a professional (gestor / consultant) before acting. Facts last verified July 2026.

FAQ

Is a contract in Spanish valid if I don’t speak Spanish?

Yes — signing binds you regardless of language. Ask for time, run it through a translator, and check the convenio’s salary table for your category before signing. Never sign anything you haven’t understood.

The rest of the library: the expat reference index · companies hiring right now. Compiled from official sources.