Discovering Spain's Cultural Heritage with Vibrant Festivals and Art Exhibitions, While Experiencing a Surge in Remote Work as Tech and Tourism Industries Adapt

Working in Spain offers a unique blend of vibrant culture and professional opportunities. The country'swork-life balance is highly valued, with a typical workday ending around 6 PM. Spaniards appreciate arelaxed pace of life, often taking siestas during the afternoon. The diverse job market spans sectors liketourism, agriculture, and technology, making it accessible to a broad range of skills. Spain's rich historyand warm climate add an appealing backdrop to your professional journey, making it an enticingdestination for expatriates.

How to Get a Job in Spain

A fundamental part of your move is knowing how to get a job in Spain as a foreigner. Below, you will find helpful insights on how to apply for a job, the job market, requirements, and eligibility for working in Spain, as well as tips for interviews and networking.

What are the Requirements to Work in Spain?

1.For EU/EEA Nationals

EU nationals are free to work and live in Spain without restrictions. If you are a non-EU national, you will need a work and residence visa to work in the country. Requirements for this include a job contract with a Spanish employer as well as other necessary documents.

For Non-EU/EEA Nationals

To work in Spain as a foreigner, you must meet the following requirements:

• you are staying in Spain legally;
• you have a clean criminal record in Spain and in the countries where you have previously resided;
• you entered Spain legally without being denied entry or being deported;
• you have paid the fee for the temporary residence application;
• you have a work contract signed by you and your employer;
• you have the qualifications that are legally required for the position.

Are You Eligible to Work in Spain?

Job opportunities in Spain for foreigners are hard to come by. A foreigner is only hired in Spain if theoccupation is listed on the shortage occupation list. This is published quarterly by the Public EmploymentService (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal). The immigration office also has to confirm that it is notpossible to fill the job vacancy by a Spanish citizen or resident. To find out more, check out the Ministryof Labor’s website for all the conditions under which foreigners can work in Spain.

Do not forget to check if your employer is properly registered with social security. As for your job contract, make sure all the terms abide by national labor regulations. Once you have this contract, you are given a temporary work and residence permit with a duration of one year. This may be limited to your occupation and geographical area. This temporary permit only comes into effect after you obtain the work and residence visa.Do not forget to check if your employer is properly registered with social security. As for your jobcontract, make sure all the terms abide by national labor regulations. Once you have this contract, youare given a temporary work and residence permit with a duration of one year. This may be limited toyour occupation and geographical area. This temporary permit only comes into effect after you obtainthe work and residence visa.

Minimum Wage and Average Salary

According to data on salaries collected by Spain’s statistical institute (INE), workers in Spain earn an average annual salary of 23,000 EUR . The salary payment is divided into 14 months: twelve months in a year, plus two extra months corresponding to a Christmas bonus in December, and a vacation bonus in July.

The average salary may vary significantly by profession and region, but in general workers in Spain receive a monthly net salary of 1,200 EUR . The average gross salary is just under 1,850 EUR per month, which adds up to 25,900 EUR per year.

The current minimum wage in Spain is 900 EUR per month, which adds up to an annual gross salary of 12,600 EUR. If you are earning minimum wage, you can expect to meet your basic needs. However, living in the city center will be challenging, since rent and living expenses are significantly higher than outside city centers.

What is a Good Salary in Spain?

What determines a good salary in Spain will depend on several factors, such as your qualifications, the cost of living in your city, and your overall lifestyle. To get a good sense of what a good salary is, consider the cost of living (including rent) for a single adult in these major cities.

The average cost of living per month (including rent)

Generally, if you wish to live comfortably in Spain, your net salary should cover this average expense and also allow you to save up. For reference, highly skilled workers typically make between 1,990 and 2,120 EUR per month.

The Most In-Demand Jobs and How Much They Pay

Below is a list of some common occupations and their average annual salary in Spain. In general, jobs in IT are in demand in Spain, but any job that requires English proficiency is also a good option for expats.

What are Working Hours like in Spain?

Workdays in Spain are typically Monday to Friday, and the working hours established by the Spanish labor law are 40 weekly hours. However, you may find the work schedule unusual. It is common for workdays to start at 9:00 and end around 20:00. There is a long lunch break, typically lasting three-hours, which can go from 13:30 to 16:30 or 14:00 to 17:00. After this break, you will resume work and end your day at around 20:00.

You may have already heard of the popular siesta, the Spanish mid-day nap. This established tradition means that the country will temporarily shut down for around three hours during the lunch break. Most businesses and services will be closed during this time. Nowadays, this is no longer a general rule, and you will typically find establishments open throughout the day, especially in big cities.

Types of Work visa and permits for Spain

Spain offers several types of work visas and permits for foreign nationals based on their employment circumstances. Here are some common categories:

1. Work Visa for Employment: This is for individuals who have a job offer from a Spanish employer. The specific type may vary depending on the nature of the work.
2. Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Blue Card): Designed for highly qualified non-EU nationals. It provides easier access to the job market in Spain and other EU countries.
3. Entrepreneur Visa: For those who plan to start their own business in Spain.
4. Student Entrepreneur Visa: Allows students to set up and develop a business project in Spain.
5. Seasonal Worker Visa: For temporary or seasonal work in agriculture or other sectors.
6. Au Pair Visa: For individuals who want to work as au pairs in Spanish households.
7. Researcher Visa: For researchers working on projects in Spain.
8. Artist Visa: For foreign artists or cultural professionals who intend to work in Spain.
9. ICT (Intra-Corporate Transfer) Visa: Allows employees of multinational companies to transfer to a branch in Spain.
10. Non-Lucrative Visa: For individuals who can prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves without working.
11. EU Blue Card: Similar to the Blue Card but intended for specific regulated professions.