Short answer: culinary and restaurant internships in Spain usually last 3 to 12 months in hotel kitchens, restaurants and food & beverage teams on the coast, on the islands and in the big cities. You need an internship agreement from your school, a good level of English (Spanish helps) and, if you are not an EU citizen, the right visa. Many hotels add accommodation and/or staff meals to a modest monthly allowance; the exact package depends on each employer.
Where culinary interns work in Spain
- Resort and city hotels: large kitchens with several outlets (buffet, à la carte, banqueting, pool bar), where interns rotate between stations.
- Gastronomic restaurants: some host restaurants are listed in the Michelin Guide or the Repsol Guide. Places are limited and selection is stricter.
- Food & beverage service: restaurant floor, bar, breakfast and room service, often in the same hotels.
The main areas are the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza), the Canary Islands, Andalusia and the Costa del Sol, Valencia and the Costa Blanca, Barcelona and Madrid.
What you will do as a kitchen or restaurant intern
- Mise en place, cold and hot kitchen, pastry and buffet preparation under a chef de partie.
- Plating and presentation for à la carte service and events.
- Hygiene and food safety routines (HACCP), cleaning of the station, stock checks and inventories.
- On the service side: welcoming guests, presenting the menu, taking orders, serving, bar work and basic wine service.
For a detailed list of tasks by position, see our culinary intern job description.
Pay, accommodation and meals
An internship in Spain is a training period linked to your studies, not a regular job. Packages usually combine a monthly allowance (often a few hundred euros) with free accommodation and/or staff meals in many hotels. Amounts vary by employer, region and season, and each offer states its own conditions. The figures on this page are indicative only.
When to go: seasons in Spain
| Area | Main season (approx.) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Balearic Islands, Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca | April/May to October | Most summer offers; apply early in the year. |
| Canary Islands | All year, busiest in winter | Useful if you are free from October to April. |
| Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia city | All year | City hotels and restaurants; fewer offers include housing. |
Start 3 to 6 months before your preferred date, and earlier if you need a visa.
Requirements
- You are an enrolled student or a recent graduate, and your school signs an internship agreement with the host company and you.
- Culinary, hospitality, tourism or food & beverage studies, or real motivation for the sector.
- English at B2 level for most hotels; basic Spanish is a real plus in the kitchen.
- Availability: 6 months is common for culinary programmes; some summer positions are shorter.
- EU/EEA students do not need a visa. Non-EU students usually need a visa or authorisation issued by the Spanish consulate before travelling; requirements and timing depend on your nationality and the length of the internship.
- Health and liability insurance for the whole stay.
How to apply with PIC Management
- Choose an offer and check its dates, language level and conditions.
- Send your CV in English and your availability through the offer page.
- If your profile matches, you have a video interview with our team and then with the employer.
- Once selected, we help you with the internship agreement and the documents for your arrival.
Selection depends on your profile, the interview and the employer, so no agency can guarantee a placement to every applicant.
Open culinary and restaurant offers in Spain
FAQ
Are culinary internships in Spain paid?
Most include a monthly allowance and often accommodation and/or meals, but amounts are modest and vary by employer. Check the conditions written in each offer.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not always. Many hotels work in English with B2 level, but basic Spanish makes the kitchen and daily life much easier.
How long is a culinary internship in Spain?
Usually between 3 and 12 months. Culinary programmes in hotels and restaurants are often 6 months or more.
Can non-EU students do a culinary internship in Spain?
Yes, with the correct visa or authorisation and a signed internship agreement. Start the process early, because consulate times vary.
Is Spain or France better for a culinary internship?
Both are good: Spain offers many seasonal hotel positions on the coast and islands, while France is known for classic kitchen brigades. Compare with our guide to culinary internships in France and our Spain destination guide.