A profession in Spain's restaurant industry
A profession in Spain's restaurant industry — in 9 months
Sommelier work, mixology, specialty coffee and management — in 9 months
Master four crafts: sommelier work, mixology, specialty coffee and running a venue — and earn an official qualification that gives you legal grounds to live and work in Spain.
The course in numbers
Who the course suits
From zero or already in the trade — the course gives a qualification and grounds to be in SpainFrom zero or already in the trade, for a career or for the move — the course gives an official restaurant-industry qualification and legal grounds to be in Spain.
Move to Spain legally and stay
A full-time course gives grounds for a student visa, the right to work under the law and a route to a work permit.
International studentsMore: International studentsThe decision rests with the consulate and Spanish immigration authorities
From zero to a restaurant-industry professional: step by step, with practice.
Turn experience into an official qualification and grow into a bar manager.
The management module: economics, licences, purchasing, profitability.
Pick your goal — we will go through your situation.
8 modules, 640 hours
Every module is a skill, with topics and hoursEvery module is a separate professional skill, with topics, hours and dates.
A full on-campus course in 9 months; on completion you receive an IEAE diploma.
An official diploma people
work with across Spain
Instituto IEAE is accredited with SEPE/LABORA. On completion the institute issues its own IEAE diploma
Instituto IEAE is an institute with an education licence, accredited with SEPE/LABORA. The course is built to the official standard. On completion the institute issues its own IEAE diploma. A mentor stays with you until the diploma is in your hands.
- The right to work in the profession legally
Recognised across Spain, not only in Valencia
- A profession and a diploma — an argument when moving to work status
Unlike language courses, which carry no qualification, you leave with a profession and an IEAE diploma built to the official standard.
A licensed institute in Valencia since 2002. You study on campus, with practice
A licensed institute in Valencia since 2002: the licence gives the right not only to teach but to issue its own diploma. You study on campus, in a classroom, with practice.
The jobs this opens upThe jobs this opens up and what they pay
Professions in real demand — from the first job to managementRestaurant-industry professions with real demand and real pay — from your first job to running a venue of your own.
You can work in any city in Spain. Tips come on top
Many open vacancies in the sector
Recognised by employers across Spain
80 hours of practice — experience for your CV
A profession is a way to work and to establish yourself legally in the country.
Employment depends on you — your skills, your experience and your drive. After the course you can find work, including in an adjacent or a different field.
From a student visa
to a work permit in Spain
A student visa is a legal way in, the right to work and a route to residence
- 1You arrive and study legally
A full-time course over 6 months gives a visa D and a TIE card
- 2You earn while you study
Up to 30 hours a week on a contract (RD 1155/2024)
- 3You move to a work permit
After the course the card can be modified into a permit with the right to work — no 3-year wait
- 4You work in any profession
The contract may be in any field, not only hospitality — including IT.
- 5You stay in Spain for the long term
From there, subject to conditions: work permit → renewal → long-term residence.
The student card is study status (estancia), not residence. The work permit is arranged after the course
International studentsHow this works for international studentsThe decision rests with the consulate and Spanish immigration authorities. This is not legal advice
Students who have already moved to Valencia
They came from China, Turkey, Armenia and Russia — and they are studying here
She spent about two months on the documents and is now on the barista module.
He got the visa first time and moved to Valencia for the autumn intake.
She put the package together with the institute and arrived right at the start of the intake.
He applied in spring and the visa came through in a month. He now studies and works part-time in a Valencia bar.
The institute has been running since 2002. Students from many countries come to Valencia and go on to work in bars, coffee shops and restaurants across Spain.
9 months — from the basics to practice
8 modules in order — from wine to practice. A new intake every 3 months
Getting in is simpler than it looks
No entrance exams. One of three documents is enoughNo entrance exams. One of the conditions is enough — an ordinary secondary school certificate usually does. We help with translation and recognition of documents.
We help with translation and recognition
If you already hold a relevant certificate
No certificate? We will tell you how to prepare
Your school certificate will do (the equivalent of the Spanish ESO). We help with translation and recognition.
If you already hold a relevant certificate.
No certificate? You can sit an access exam — we will tell you how to prepare.
Not sure your document qualifies? We will go through it on a consultationNot sure your document qualifies? We will go through it on a consultation and tell you what is needed
From application to the first day
The application commits you to nothing. We guide you at every stepThe application commits you to nothing. We guide you at every step — from the first question to your arrival in Valencia.
- 1Applicationreply within a day
We reply within the working day
- 2Consultationfree
We go through visa and timing, free
- 3Contract and visa documents2 working days
The full consulate package in 2 working days, with support
- 4Paymentinstalments possible
One payment or instalments — the first holds your place
The course starts in Valencia
You arrive for the start of the intake — your first step to life in SpainYou arrive for the start of the intake. This is your first step to living and working in Spain.
Book a consultationCourse fees
On the call we will arrange instalments and a start date
- 9 months of full-time study
- 80 hours of practice in Valencia restaurants
- An IEAE diploma
- Professional training for work in Spain
- Support with the visa documents
- A personal mentor until you have the diploma
While studying you may legally work up to 30 h/week
Frequently asked questions
Answers on the visa, the diploma, work and payment
Answers on the visa, the diploma, working while studying and payment
On completion you receive an IEAE diploma. The institute is accredited with SEPE/LABORA and the programme follows the official standard (640 h).
We will go through your situation on a free consultation
Let us look at your situation
5 questions, one minute — we will send an assessment for your country. Free
- Whether a visa D is realistic from your countryWhether a student visa D is realistic from your country specifically
- What it costs in full: course, visa, the moveWhat it costs in full — course, visa, the move, with no hidden extras
- Which documents you need and what follows the courseWhich documents you need and what follows the course — work and life in Spain
- All above board: an accredited instituteAll above board: an accredited institute in Valencia and a legal D visa
Which country do you actually live in?
Start typing the name — search will help.