Understanding your employment contract

Overview

Spanish employment law defines several contract types (indefinite, temporary, training) with different protections. Understanding which type you're signing, and what it entitles you to, matters before your first day.

Requirements

• A written contract is standard practice and strongly advisable, even where not always legally mandatory for every arrangement

Step-by-step process

• Confirm the contract type (indefinido, temporal, formación) and what it means for your job security and notice period
• Check your registered working hours, salary (matching at least the applicable collective agreement, convenio colectivo, for your sector), and probation period
• Confirm your employer registers you with social security from your actual start date

Required documents

• Signed employment contract
• Payslips once employed, for your own records

Common mistakes

• Not checking which sector collective agreement (convenio colectivo) applies — it often sets minimum salary and conditions above the general legal minimum
• Starting work before social security registration is confirmed

Practical tips

• Ask your employer directly which convenio colectivo applies to your role — it's a normal question, not a confrontational one
• Keep every payslip; you'll need them for future tax filings, mortgage applications and more

How Tuchati can help

If a contract clause is unclear or you want a second opinion before signing, Tuchati can help you understand what it actually means.