At a glance
| Length | Half a page to one page; three or four short paragraphs. |
|---|---|
| Greeting | “Dear Ms García” or “Dear Mr García”; “Dear Hiring Team” if no name is given. |
| Sign-off | “Kind regards” or “Yours sincerely”, then your full name and phone number. |
| Layout | Your details, date, company name, greeting, body, sign-off; a subject line for emails. |
| How it is sent | Pasted into the email or portal text box, or attached as a PDF with the CV. |
Free Spain cover letter template
The sample letter below, set out on a A4 page with the local greeting and sign-off. No signup.
Format and length
Spanish recruiters appreciate brevity. A cover letter of three or four short paragraphs, fitting comfortably on one page, is enough for almost every role. When applying by email, write a clear subject line with the job title and any reference code, keep the letter in the body of the message and attach your CV as a PDF. When a portal offers a text box, paste a shortened version of the same letter. A formal block layout with addresses is still appropriate when you attach the letter as a separate document.
Greeting and tone
Address the letter to a named person whenever the advert or company website gives one. In English, “Dear Ms García” works well; Spanish people often have two surnames, and using the first one is normally correct. When no name is available, “Dear Hiring Team” is a safe choice. The tone should be warm but professional. Spanish business culture values courtesy and personal connection, so a sentence that shows genuine interest in the company is welcome, while exaggerated self-praise tends to come across poorly.
What to say in the body
Start by naming the position and how you found it. In the next paragraph, pick two or three requirements from the advert and show, with a short example each, how your experience meets them. If you are moving to Spain, explain the reason briefly, such as joining a partner or a long-term plan, and mention your work status. A final paragraph should restate your interest, mention your availability and invite the reader to contact you. Avoid repeating your CV line by line; the letter should add context.
Speculative applications
Sending an unsolicited application, called an autocandidatura, is a common and accepted way to approach companies in Spain, especially smaller firms that do not advertise every vacancy. In that case, the letter matters more than usual. Explain what kind of role you are looking for, why that particular company interests you and what you could contribute in the first months. Keep it short and specific, and send it to a named person in the relevant department or to the human resources contact listed on the company website.
Salary and practical details
Spanish job adverts sometimes ask candidates to state their desired salary, usually as a gross annual figure. If the advert requests it, give a realistic figure or a narrow range based on research for the role, city and sector. If the advert does not mention salary, it is normal to leave the topic for a later stage of the process. Practical details that are worth including are your earliest start date, notice period and, for international applicants, when you can be in Spain for an interview.
Sample cover letter
Replace the text in square brackets with your own details, and swap the examples for real results of yours.
Dear [Hiring manager's name], I am writing to apply for the position of [Role] at [Company name], which I saw advertised on your website. I have four years' experience in customer success for software companies and I would like to bring that experience to your team in Barcelona. In my current role I look after a portfolio of business clients across Europe, from onboarding to renewal. I introduced a structured onboarding plan that helped new clients start using the product sooner, and I work closely with the product team to pass on feedback from customers. Your advert mentions experience with international accounts and clear written communication, and both are a daily part of my work. I am particularly interested in [Company name] because of your focus on small businesses, a market I know well from my previous job. I am moving to Spain to join my partner, I hold an EU passport and my Spanish is at B2 level, which I continue to improve with weekly classes. I could start after a one-month notice period and I am available for interviews online or in person. My CV is attached as a PDF. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, [Your name]
Tips
- When applying by email, put the job title and reference code in the subject line and keep the letter in the body of the message.
- Use the first surname when addressing a Spanish contact, since many people carry two surnames.
- Show interest in the company itself; Spanish recruiters notice letters that could have been sent to anyone.
- Mention your Spanish level honestly, even for English-language roles, because colleagues and clients may speak Spanish.
How Spain compares
| Country | Length | Greeting | Sign-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | Three to four short paragraphs, well under one page. | Dear Mr/Ms [Surname]; Dear Hiring Manager when no name is known. | Regards, Best regards or Yours sincerely, followed by your full name and phone number. |
| 🇺🇸 US | Under one page, roughly 250 to 400 words in three or four paragraphs. | Dear Ms. Rivera or Dear Hiring Manager; avoid To Whom It May Concern. | Sincerely, followed by your typed full name. |
| 🇬🇧 UK | One page, roughly 250 to 400 words, in three or four paragraphs. | “Dear Ms Patel” with a name; “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Hiring Manager” without. | “Yours sincerely” after a named greeting, “Yours faithfully” after Sir or Madam. |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | Under one page, usually 250 to 350 words in three or four paragraphs. | “Dear Mr/Ms [Surname]”, or “Dear Hiring Manager” if no name is given. | “Yours sincerely” with a name; “Kind regards” is fine for email applications. |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | One page, roughly 250 to 400 words in three or four paragraphs. | Dear [Hiring manager’s name], or Dear Hiring Manager, if no name is available. | Sincerely, or Kind regards, followed by your full name. |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | One page, roughly three to five paragraphs; shorter is fine in an email. | “Dear” plus title and surname when known; otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager”. | “Kind regards” is most common; “Yours sincerely” suits more formal applications. |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | One page, typically 200 to 350 words across three or four paragraphs. | “Dear Ms Lim” when named; otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager”. | “Yours sincerely” for formal letters, “Best regards” for email applications. |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | One page, about 250 to 400 words, split into three or four paragraphs. | “Dear Ms Byrne” when you know the name; otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager”. | “Yours sincerely” for a named reader, “Yours faithfully” after “Dear Sir or Madam”. |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | One A4 page, usually three to four short paragraphs. | “Dear Ms Weber” or “Dear Dr Weber”; “Dear Hiring Team” without a name. | “Kind regards” or “Yours sincerely”, followed by your typed name. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Half a page to one page; three or four short paragraphs. | “Dear Ms García” or “Dear Mr García”; “Dear Hiring Team” if no name is given. | “Kind regards” or “Yours sincerely”, then your full name and phone number. |
| 🇫🇷 France | One A4 page, with three main paragraphs and a short closing. | “Dear Sir or Madam”, or “Dear Ms Martin” when you know the recipient. | “Yours faithfully” or “Yours sincerely”, matching a formal French closing line. |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Up to one A4 page; three or four paragraphs. | “Dear Dr Rossi” where a title is known; “Dear Hiring Manager” otherwise. | “Kind regards” or “Yours sincerely”, followed by your full name. |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Under one page; three or four concise paragraphs. | “Dear Ms Silva” or “Dear Mr Silva”; “Dear Sir or Madam” without a name. | “Kind regards” or “Yours sincerely”, with your name and phone number. |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Short: half a page, or three brief paragraphs in an email. | “Dear Ms Souza” or “Dear Mr Souza”; “Dear Hiring Team” if no name is listed. | “Kind regards” or “Best regards”, then your name, phone and LinkedIn. |