Because of the laidback lifestyle, high standard of living, rich culture, beautiful weather, and friendly communities, Spain has been a dream destination for expats of all ages. However, finding a job when moving to Spain is not as simple as enjoying the Mediterranean sun.
In this guide, we look at the process of finding a job in Spain when you don’t speak Spanish, the best places to look for job openings, and everything else you need to know about working in Spain as an expat.
Do you need a visa to work in Spain?
If you’re moving to Spain from the US, you can work in Spain as a non-EU citizen if you already have a residency permit. Without this permit, you need to secure a job before moving to the country.
Non-EU citizens must have a signed contract of employment. After that, the Spanish company must apply for a work permit by demonstrating that your position is hard to fill locally or is on the shortage list. You won’t be able to apply for a work visa that allows you to live and work in Spain until the company has applied for your permit.
Private health insurance is mandatory when applying for any type of visa in Spain, including the work visa. The Spanish medical system is one of the best in the world while health insurance is very affordable. Monthly costs for medical insurance range from €65 to €199, but if you sign up for expat medical insurance through this link, you will benefit from a special discount of up to 32%.
Skill shortages in Spain
There are currently skill shortages in some parts of the Spanish economy, which could open up employment opportunities for foreign workers. Doctors, engineers, marketers, operating staff, and business consultants are among the professions experiencing shortages. There are also regular shortages in positions for teachers, pilots, and translators.
Moving to Spain: Where to look for a job
Best job listings websites in Spain
One of the easiest ways to find a job is to search online. Here is a list of the top job listing websites available for expats:
- Infojobs
- Infoempleo
- Jooble
- Jobtoday
- ThinkSpain
- Xpatjobs
- Reed.co.uk
- Europelanguagejobs
- JobsinBarcelona
Best recruiting agencies in Spain
In Spain, recruitment agencies typically deal with temporary employment. On the website of the Sistema Nacional de Empleo, you can see which agencies are registered. Some of the top recruitment agencies in Spain include:
- Axxon
- Blu Selection
- Approach People
Social media
Whether you’re looking for new job postings, using hashtags to find openings, sending out cold emails to managers and HR, or just looking for new openings, social media can be very useful for finding new opportunities. LinkedIn is a great place to start. Joining expat or city-specific networking groups on Facebook can also broaden your search.
Word of mouth
In Spain, many positions are filled through word-of-mouth or personal connections and are not necessarily widely advertised. So, if you’ve moved to Spain without a job, let people know that you’re looking for work; make connections with people working in the same field, and join professional groups, forums, and sites like LinkedIn.
Newspapers
Like in many other countries, the newspaper remains one of the best ways to look for jobs in Spain. Sign up for ABC, El Periodico, La Razon, or El Pais to get regular updates on the kinds of professionals who are in high demand in Spain.
Self-employment and freelancing in Spain
Self-employment and freelance work in Spain is also an option. Over the last few years, Spain has seen a significant increase in the number of independent workers. Just over 15% of the workforce in Spain is self-employed, which is above the EU average.
In Spain, if you take this route, you can choose to set up a limited company (sociedad limitada) or work as a professional freelancer or sole trader (profesionales autónomos), where both your personal and business earnings are taxed together. Because of this, you will need to file separate taxes for your business.
If you’re considering working remotely from Spain, there are many co-working spaces around the country, especially in big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
TIP: To ensure the success of your freelance business, you can advertise your services online or through flyers if you are looking for work in Spain.
Applying for a job in Spain
You will need to prepare your application once you have found the right job. To avoid any cultural slipups, you should tailor your CV and cover letter to the Spanish job market and learn how to conduct yourself in a job interview.
Instead of sending a CV and cover letter, you might have to write a personal statement and fill out an application form for some Spanish jobs.
Job interviews in Spain are similar to those in other countries. Dress professionally and do some research about the company before the interview to ensure that you can provide insightful responses and ask pertinent questions. The interview should last between 30 and 60 minutes.
Salaries in Spain
If you’re living in Spain as an American, you may be wondering about the average monthly salary in Spain. In the past ten years, salaries in Spain and other European nations have been severely impacted, particularly in the public sector. But fortunately, the situation is gradually improving. According to the Ministerio de Empleo y Seguridad Social, the minimum wage in Spain is currently 965 euros per month, or 32 euros per day (2021).
It all starts with a career plan
For many, Spain is regarded as the land of opportunity. It is also considered one of the best locations in the world for expats and has a long history of welcoming foreigners. As a result, there are a lot of jobs available to those who want them. There are a lot of options for skilled professionals who want to make a name for themselves in Europe’s third-largest economy, and they all start with a career plan. Be sure to do thorough research and follow the right process to apply for a permit and job opening.
Thinking about moving abroad? Read more practical guides and awesome articles about moving to Spain.
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