Are you considering working in Spain?
Does the beautiful landscapes of Barcelona appeal to you? If you are planning to work while living in this beautiful Spanish country, then you must know that workers spend longer time at the office than in most countries. Finding a job as a foreigner is not easy. However, you will find the job market a lot easier if you can speak Spanish and English. If you are considering relocating to Spain, ensure you get a job before leaving. It is difficult to find a job in the country if it isn’t included on the shortage occupation list produced by the Public Employment Service (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal). One con is the low salary. Employees earn 23,000 EUR on average while the minimum wage is around 1,000 EUR a month, which is lower compared to other countries.
Working for a Spain establishment is not the only way one can work in the country as a foreigner. You can be self-employed, set up your company, or be a freelancer. Just ensure you have the necessary documents and finances to do that.
Who can work in Spain?
If you are from an EU country, luckily, you are restricted to living or working in Spain. However, if you are a non-EU citizen, then you need a work visa and residency permit to work in any part of the country. To apply for a work visa, you must have a job contract with a Spanish establishment. If you are already a resident, perhaps on a student visa or tourist visa, you can apply for a work permit and a temporary residence permit. To work as an ex-pat, you have to meet certain requirements: possess a clean criminal record in the country, have entered Spain legally, possess a job contract signed by your employer, have the required qualifications for the job position, etc.
Getting a Job in Spain as an Expat
There are several ways you can find a job as a foreigner; for a non-EU citizen, one of them is checking the job shortage list as you can only find feasible jobs there. However, you still have to be eligible to work in the country. There are few opportunities for foreigners in the country. An employer can only hire you if the job vacancy can’t be filled by a citizen or resident. If you are interested in knowing more, check out other conditions of employment for foreigners on the Ministry of Labour’s website. It is common to find lots of ex-pats working in the tourism sector, as well as teaching English in schools. Popular websites to find job vacancies include Infoempleo, LinkedIn, Info jobs, Indeed, Glassdoor, Mil Anuncios, etc.
Applying for a Job in Spain
Writing a CV in Spain
You will need a CV when applying for a job in the country. Ensure you follow the Spanish style of writing one. It should be short and well detailed including your details, work experience, educational background, languages you can speak, skills, etc. Using their format is sure to give your application a better chance.
Language Skill
It is rather pertinent to note that languages matter a lot in Spain. If you want to get a job quicker in the Spanish job market, you must learn to speak basic Spanish. This will not just help with your job application process but also in your daily interactions with citizens while living in the country. Writing your CV in Spanish might give you an edge over other applicants.
Average Salary for workers in Spain
Workers here earn an average salary of 23,000 EUR annually. The salary is paid in 14 months: the twelve months in a year, two additional months for Christmas bonus in December, and a vacation bonus in July. The average salary differs slightly by occupation and location, however, the general net salary is 1,200 EUR a month. The average gross salary is around 1,850 EUR a month. Spain pays a minimum wage of 900 EUR a month to its workers, for an ex-pat earning minimum wage, you can meet your basic needs.
Working hours in Spain
Workers work from Monday to Friday at a 40-hours-a-week law. It is common to find workers starting work at 9 am and close by 8 pm. This is because their lunch break usually lasts for three hours. With a yearly leave, maternal leave, parental leave, social security benefits, quality healthcare insurance, and others, you will find working here delightful.
