The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Intern Statute; a regulation designed to protect interns and put an end to the abuses that have affected thousands of students for years.
After more than two years of negotiations between the Ministry of Labor and the unions, the Government has clarified what an internship should really be: a learning experience, not a way to replace employees.
The Statute prohibits paying to access internships and requires companies to cover related expenses, such as travel, meals, or accommodation. It also guarantees rest periods, work-life balance, protection against harassment, and access to the same services as other employees.
“The main purpose of an internship is to learn, and interns are considered part of the workforce, fully integrated into their work environment,” the law emphasizes.
The regulation also establishes fines of up to €225,000 for organizations that fail to comply and strengthens the role of the Labor Inspectorate in preventing fraud.
Although the draft law is just starting its process in Congress, where a complex debate is expected, it marks a significant step towards a more dignified and educational internship model—one where learning doesn’t come at the expense of basic rights.
For more information or guidance, contact addwill’s legal-labor team at +34 93 487 52 00, via comunicacio@addwill.eu , or through our online form.