Business Internships: Intern abroad in Madrid, Spain
As the capital city of Spain, Madrid is home to the vast majority of the country’s national and international business market. Madrid is the number one choice for many enterprises and Business Development internships provide scope to connect with diverse professionals, who offer industry insights and mentorship. Build your network, develop research skills and learn how to identify new business opportunities.
Internship Highlights:
- Gain a unique perspective into diverse business approaches and strategies.
- Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills for enhanced employability.
- Enjoy traveling and living in Spain's capital city, a hub for culture, art, language and cuisine!
Type of host organizations:
- Start up companies
- SME’s
- Real estate companies
- Tech companies
Internship details
Business Development interns have the opportunity to identify business opportunities, strategies and ways to improve internal processes for a range of placements across the city of Madrid. Develop research skills, learn how to identify new opportunities and expand your industry network, in a destination perfect for combining cultural immersion, with the ambition to grow your professional capabilities!
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation included. You can explore remote Business Administration & Start Ups internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.
With placements available across a range of start up’s, SME’s, real estate companies, tech companies and more, interns in Madrid can expect to gain practical experience related to developing business ideas, seeking advice, understanding the industry and putting plans and strategies into place.
Individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.
Spanish language proficiency is not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it.
This internship includes five complimentary Spanish language lessons, which must be scheduled within the first two weeks of the internship. These should be considered mandatory for anyone who is not already a fluent Spanish speaker. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately. We encourage all interns to take advantage of the opportunity to learn some Spanish skills during their program (or develop their existing vocabulary).
In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.
Career Benefits
Business Development interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Business growth strategy and project development.
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Market research, data analysis and report creation.
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Research, analysis and development to implement improved customer service and outreach.
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Content creation and/or translations for digital media, newsletters, social media, etc.
Professional development opportunities:
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Contribute creatively to projects developed to support growth, impact and sustainability.
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Enhance your professional process skills and knowledge of best practice for accuracy and efficiency.
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Gain modern industry knowledge in an exciting business sector.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Spain photo gallery
What recent interns said about their experience
I enjoyed being able to experience work in a new country. The internship has given me skills that I can carry forwards and looks great on my CV as well as a talking point during interviews.
The internship itself was perfect, and I was lucky enough to make good friends. It helped my personal and professional development.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$499 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$499 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | $3,668 Equivalent to $131 /day |
| 5 weeks | $4,040 Equivalent to $115 /day |
| 6 weeks | $4,427 Equivalent to $105 /day |
| 8 weeks | $5,084 Equivalent to $90 /day |
| 10 weeks | $5,864 Equivalent to $83 /day |
| 12 weeks | $6,524 Equivalent to $77 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All in-country transportation
- Meals
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
- A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
- European students who wish to receive Erasmus funding for their internship in Spain are encouraged to apply and outline their specific requirements.
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Spanish lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a requirement; however, basic Spanish skills are strongly recommended. Your program fees include five introductory Spanish language lessons which are provided in order to boost confidence and assist with social and cultural integration. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
We encourage all interns to take advantage of the opportunity to learn some Spanish skills during their program (or develop their existing vocabulary) to maximize the impact of the internship experience. The language lessons are tailored to each interns current level of Spanish, run from Monday to Friday and can be accommodated around your internship schedule. Classes are run in small groups by certified native speaking Spanish teachers.
Weekends and travel
During the internship schedule, interns have weekends available for free time. As the capital of Spain, Madrid is a hub for culture, art, sport, language and cuisine. It’s well known for its breathtaking landmarks, great nightlife, fun activities and stunning architecture. Here are just a few examples of the attractions you won’t want to miss:
- Mercado de San Miguel: Grab some delicious tapas at this over 100 year old market. With over 30 stalls, there will be something to tantalize everyone’s taste buds
- Museo Nacional del Prado: One of the most visited museums in Europe, you’ll be captivated by the work of Spanish artists across the centuries.
- Chocolateria San Ginés: Treat your tastebuds to thick, luxurious hot chocolate and churros at this historic 24-hour cafe.
- El Retiro Park: Bring a picnic and enjoy this beautiful slice of nature and designated UNESCO world heritage site.
- El Rastro flea market: From 9am to 3pm every Sunday you can discover antiques, old books, comics, records, vintage clothing, furniture, plants, and more!
- Reina Sofia Museum: Showcasing works by Dali and Picasso, this is not one to be missed!
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Madrid begin on the first and third Monday of each month. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity.
Airport pick up and accommodation is included in the Program Fee. Accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before Monday start dates - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as orientations are held on the Monday.
The typical port of entry is the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). If you are planning to spend time independently in Spain prior to the internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics.
Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to their accommodation. The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
Your internship program fee includes five introductory online Spanish language lessons which are provided as a way of boosting confidence and assisting with social and cultural integration prior to arrival. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
Check what’s required to visit Spain
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Accommodation and WiFi
Interns in Madrid are accommodated in clean and comfortable, fully furnished apartments or selected hotel / hostel rooms. Final accommodation bookings are always dependent on availability. If a commute is required (from your accommodation to your internship placement) then the travel time is usually between 45 to 60 minutes, maximum. There are ample public transportation options to utilize such as buses, metro, trams, and taxis.
Bedding and furnishings are provided, as well as common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Standard amenities include whiteware (i.e. washing machine, stovetop, fridge, microwave) and clean linen (i.e. bed sheets, pillows, towels). Accommodation includes internet / WiFi access.
In most cases, between four to six guests can be accommodated per apartment, or selected hotel / hostel room, so participants should be prepared to share living arrangements. Please note that shared apartments may be mixed-gender. However, every guest has a private room within the accommodation, with either a single or double bed.
Please note that an accommodation bond / security deposit is required of guests, to ensure that rooms are maintained in good condition. The amount is €200. When your accommodation has been assigned for the internship, and the details are provided to you in advance, you will be provided with an online link to complete the security deposit (and you will receive a receipt). This transaction will be fully refunded to you, after accommodation check-out and inspection, provided that no damages or losses to the property have been incurred by you.
Upon the confirmation of specific internship details, accommodation arrangements are made, taking into consideration the location of internship placements, to ensure that any commute time is as convenient as possible.
Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we work with more than one apartment, the exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. Rooms sizes vary.
Meals
Internships in Madrid do not include meals, as kitchen facilities are provided within all of the accommodations and affordable supermarkets are easily accessible.
In Madrid, breakfast is usually a light meal, consisting of coffee and a pastry. You can find offers for this around the city for less than €5. Prepare to pay twice as much, or more, if you want more of an international “brunch” style of breakfast instead. After a light breakfast, it’s common to have a midday snack and you can get fresh fruits from the markets for this.
There are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Madrid and they typically offer special lunch menus in the afternoon, the “menú del día”, which ranges from €10–€15 (this is what the locals will eat). The menú del día normally includes two to three courses, bread, a drink and some water. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain, so you might opt for a lighter dinner in the evening.
If you’re eating out for dinner, expect that it will be late. Simple tapas can cost about €4 - €6 each (depending on where you are choosing to dine).
A budget of approx. €35 or €40 per person, per day, (approx. US$40) is probably sufficient for buying every meal and enjoying great food. However, depending on your own spending habits and lifestyle choices, personal budgets can vary enormously. If you eat out at restaurants and buy beverages frequently, this will cost a lot more than just purchasing food from supermarkets and preparing your own meals within the accommodation’s kitchen facilities.
Essential country information
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 46.5 million |
| Languages | Spanish (official), Catalan, Galician, Basque, Occitan (co-official languages) |
| Currency | Euro (€ - EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate:
Spain has a very varied climate, according to the geographical situation of different regions. Most of the country is considered to be within a Mediterranean zone, which is characterized by warm/hot and dry summers. However, areas with relatively high rainfall are considered to be oceanic climatic regions, rather than Mediterranean. The northern quarter of Spain, which is within the Atlantic region, falls within this oceanic climate category, where winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean. The southeastern quarter of Spain has a semi-arid climate, where the dry season can extend beyond the typical summer season.
In Madrid, it is dry year round. The summers are warm, muggy, and mostly clear. The hot summer season runs from June through September, with an average daily high temperature above 91°F (33°C). The winter months, from November through March, are cold, windy, and partly cloudy. During this time, the average daily high temperature is below 58°F (15°C). The coldest month of the year in Madrid is January, with a high of 50°F (10°C).
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