Intermediate Vocational Qualification in Underwater and Hyperbaric Operations, 1,400 hours. 2nd Collective Agreement Nov 2023: +19% salary. Expert diver category D: ~€2,100/month base + diving supplements. Ports, offshore, salvage, hull inspection.
Becoming a professional diver in Spain requires navigating a complex framework of hyperbaric regulations, specific vocational training qualifications (shallow and medium depth), and certifications such as those from IMCA. There are many questions about accreditation, the sector collective agreement, medical requirements, and how to transition from recreational diving. The actual employment situation is also debated, from aquarium work to offshore commercial operations.
The official route is the Intermediate Vocational Training cycle in Underwater and Hyperbaric Operations, covering 1,400 hours and including modules on physiopathology, underwater welding, hydraulic works, and inspections. The second Collective Bargaining Agreement, updated in November 2023, resulted in a 19% salary increase over tables frozen since 2012. For an expert diver (category D), the base monthly salary excluding dives stands at around 2,100 euros, plus supplements for each dive. Career paths include maintenance of port infrastructure, offshore platforms, salvage operations, and hull inspection.