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1. Status in national legislation

2. Education, training and skills recognition

3. Mobility of youth workers

Status in national legislation

As previously mentioned in this chapter, the term “youth worker” is not defined in any national legislation in Spain. The role of a youth worker depends on the specific criteria at regional level, set by each Autonomous Community. 

While there is no national legal framework, there are common criteria shared across regions for individuals working in this field. With the following criteria often being required to become a youth worker in Spain:

• Spanish or European nationality.
• Minimum age of 16 years.
• A degree in a relevant field such as social education, social work, psychology, pedagogy or teaching.
• No disciplinary dismissals from public service.

There is still a lack of clarity surrounding the professional profiles of youth workers in Spain, especially with respect to the competencies and qualifications required for the profession. This leads to uncertainty about the role of youth workers across various regions, contributing to inconsistent recognition and support for the profession. The lack of formal recognition at the national level, combined with a lack of standardization across regions has been a recurrent challenge in the youth work sector

Education, training and skills recognition

Currently, there is no official national system for training or certifying youth workers as an official profession. The absence of specific legislation and stable funding means there is no standardized route for becoming a youth worker. However, many youth workers in Spain are trained through higher education programs in social sciences or through non-formal learning pathways, with training often provided by youth organizations, NGOs, or regional training centres.

The absence of stable funding for youth work positions further complicates this issue, leading to temporary contracts, low salaries, and a lack of investment in stable personnel. This absence of consistent funding hinders the development of youth workers’ careers and the overall quality of youth work in Spain.

While there is no single national framework for youth worker certification, some regional systems attempt to recognize non-formal or informal learning. This includes recognition of skills gained through volunteer work or through experience in community youth initiatives. The Royal Decree 272/2022 (Real Decreto 272/2022, de 12 de abril, por el que se establece el Marco Español de Cualificaciones para el Aprendizaje Permanente) established the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning, which aims to include non-formal learning in the second phase of implementation.

There are professional associations in some Autonomous Communities that are playing a key role in advocating for the professionalization of youth work. These associations help to create a network of youth workers, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices across regions. Such regional initiatives contribute to the development of a more coherent approach to youth work across Spain.

See sub-chapter 10.6 for more information on the recognition and validation of skills acquired through youth work.

Mobility of youth workers

Currently, Spain lacks national legislation addressing the mobility of youth workers, and at the regional level there are no specific mobility programmes or grants for youth workers. However, youth workers in Spain can participate in European mobility programs, such as the European Solidarity Corps (Cuerpo Europeo de Solidaridad) and Erasmus+, which provide valuable opportunities to gain international experience and contribute to the development of youth work practices.

Within the Erasmus+ program, Key Action (KA153) specifically focuses on the mobility of youth workers. This initiative provides opportunities for youth workers to participate in training courses, job shadowing, and exchange programs to enhance their skills and professional development across Europe.

Sources: Erasmus+ Projects Results Platform. Filtered by projects under Action KA153, coordinated by Spanish organizations in the field of youth

INJUVE plays a significant role in facilitating and coordinating these EU-funded youth mobility programs within Spain. In early 2025, INJUVE reported excellent results from the Erasmus+ and ESC programs, including significant increases in participation and nearly full utilization of allocated funds. These programs have become key tools in Spain's long-term commitment to fostering youth mobility. 

Looking ahead, INJUVE aims to expand these programs beyond 2028, ensuring that youth workers have continued opportunities to gain international experience and enhance their professional development.