Intern Statute: everything that is changing in training internships in Spain

On November 4, 2025, the Council of Ministers approved in first reading the Draft Bill on the Statute of Persons in Non-Work Training, popularly known as the Internship Statute. The law aims to put an end to the precariousness of many training internships, reinforce equal opportunities, and establish a clear legal framework to regulate these activities in companies, institutions, and public or private organizations.

 

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What is it and who does it affect?

This is a draft bill, meaning it is not yet final and must receive advisory reports and pass through Parliament before becoming law. Its scope covers:

• Internships linked to degrees in the Vocational Education and Training system.
• Artistic or sports education within the educational system.
• Training specialties of the National Employment System.
• University internships, both curricular and extracurricular.

The main objective is to ensure that the activities carried out by people in training have a training-focused nature and do not replace employee functions. In this way, the Statute clearly distinguishes between training and work, preventing the phenomenon of so-called “false interns.”

Rights and guarantees

The approved text introduces several measures to protect those undertaking internships:

• Mandatory individual plan: each intern must have a detailed training plan linked to their academic path.
• Mentorship and limits: each mentor can supervise up to five interns, and the total number of interns cannot exceed 20% of the workplace staff.
• Expense compensation: reimbursement of travel, meals, and other internship-related costs is guaranteed.
• Basic labor rights: access to breaks, holidays, and workplace services under the same conditions as employees.
• Protection against harassment and violence: safety and well-being rights during the internship are recognized.
• Transparency and oversight: worker representatives will receive information about internships, and the Labor Inspectorate can access all related documentation.

A Practical Training Monitoring Committee will also be created in each company to oversee compliance with the law.

Obligations for companies

The Statute makes it clear that interns cannot replace employees and that their activities must be directly related to their training. Entities that fail to comply with the law face sanctions that, in the most serious cases, could reach up to €225,018.

Additionally, the law requires that internships be backed by agreements or contracts with authorized educational centers, strengthening the link between training and professional activity.

Political and legislative context

The Statute comes after years of debate and negotiations. It was already foreseen in the second additional provision of Royal Decree-Law 32/2021 and in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Annual Regulatory Plans. However, parliamentary processing remains uncertain due to current political fragmentation and the breakdown of the investiture pact with Junts, which complicates its final approval.

The draft bill has the support of CCOO and UGT, while employers’ associations (CEOE and Cepyme) and the CRUE (Conference of University Rectors) express doubts or opposition due to its impact on internship management and financial burden for universities and companies.

Dignifying internships

Beyond its legislative journey, the Internship Statute represents a symbolic advancement in Spain: for the first time, interns are recognized as rights holders and not as low-cost labor.

If you need guidance on how to properly implement the Internship Statute in your company or educational center, contact our labor advisory team.