Guide To Finding Work In Spain
Moving to Spain to work is increasingly popular. For some it is about enjoying the climate and lifestyle taking advantage of their ability to work remotely and for others it is about finding work in Spain. This article sets out things to consider if you plan on finding work in Spain and how to have a successful jobsearch.
Written by Nigel Ayres, CEO, Expat Network
Eligibility to Work in Spain
If you are an EU citizen you have the right to work in Spain without needing a visa. If you are a non-EU citizen you will need to apply for a work permit or other visa and which visa will depend on what you are planning to do (see A Guide To Visas To Work In Spain for detailed information on the requirements). If you are not going to be self-employed your potential employer will need to apply for the work permit and so you will need to identify your job before you move to Spain.
If you are looking to work remotely for a company outside Spain you may be eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa (Spain Digital Nomad Visa – A Guide ).
Non-EU citizens can only take a job that is on the shortage occupation list produced quarterly by the Public Employment Service (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal). It is also necessary to get confirmation that it is not possible to fill the job vacancy with a Spanish citizen or resident.
Your employer must be registered with social security and your job contract terms must comply with national labour regulations. Once you have this contract, you are granted a temporary work and residence permit for one year. This is generally limited to your occupation and geographical region. This temporary permit comes into effect after you obtain the work and residence visa.
If you plan to be self-employed you will need to register as autonomo and may be able to gain entrepreneur residence.
The job market in Spain
Spain’s job market has seen long term structural unemployment with higher rates than other parts of Europe due to its reliance on tourism and building sectors. In October 2024 unemployment was at 11.2% with men at 10% and women at 12.5%. Unemployment is particularly high among those under 25. There are also significant regional differences. However, there are also a number of sectors with major shortages
Spain’s main industries include hospitality, wholesale and retail, manufacturing, healthcare and social services, transportation, construction, art, entertainment and recreation.
Spain’s sectors with skills shortages include:
- Tourism and hospitality
- Software development and technology (AI, cybersecurity, and data science)
- Renewable energy
- Manufacturing and construction
- Healthcare
- Agriculture and farming
- Education (especially English language and STEM teachers)
Foreign workers account for 16% of those employed in Spain and the technology, tourism, and agriculture sectors rely significantly on foreign labour. Many skilled expats are attracted to the major cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia which are tech and finance hubs.
Jobsearch in Spain
When looking to find a job in Spain the first and best option as anywhere is to make use of your network to find potential employers. Talk to anyone you know already in Spain and see whether they can help to identify opportunities and even provide introductions.
If you do not have this option or if it is unsuccessful you will need to identify other options.
Where you have experience in particular sectors you can consider sending speculative applications to companies you are aware of and would like to work for in your industry. It is worth researching to find the right person to contact and enough information to ensure your application addresses their priorities. You can search the company’s website for contacts and company information or consult Kompass Spain’s database of company details.
A lack of knowledge of the Spanish language will severely restrict your options as even expat and tourist facing roles generally will require an ability to speak and/or write Spanish. There are exceptions, of course, like teaching in international schools and some multinational companies may not require you to speak Spanish (although this may make it more difficult to engage fully with Spanish colleagues likely to be chatting in Spanish).
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has information and procedures for working in Spain. The SEPE (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal) is Spain’s national public service for employment and it has useful information on job searches and job offers there.
Public job sites
Spain’s national employment service, Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE), has job listings and resources for Spanish and EU citizens.
On Empléate you can register your CV and access job listings.
Job portals
International job sites like Indeed have Spanish sites and you can always look at opportunities on LinkedIn based in Spain.
There are also specialist and general job sites in Spain:
If you do not speak Spanish The Local and ThinkSpain list roles that require English and either basic or no Spanish.
EURES
EURES, the European Job Mobility Portal, maintained by the European Commission is a potential source of vacancies. You can also upload your resume and get advice on looking for work in Spain.
Recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies that cover general roles or that specialise in your sector are another source of openings and you can see a list of agencies in the Sistema Nacional de Empleo.
Teaching English as a foreign language
If you want to teach English you will need to have a TEFL (Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language) certificate and generally a Bachelors degree. As well as schools there are often opportunities to teach at English language camps in the summer or offer private tuition. TEFL.com that can help you to identify opportunities
Applying for a Job in Spain
Once you have found a job you are interested in you will need to begin the application process. Unless you are applying for an English-speaking role you should apply in Spanish (worth getting a native or fluent Spanish-speaker to review it if you are not 100% confident in Spanish).
If there is not an application form you will need to send a CV and covering letter and you should use a Spanish-style CV, which will generally be similar to other countries. It should include the following information and be tailored to the job you are applying for:
- Personal details: name, date of birth, nationality, marital status, address, phone number and NIE number.
- Photos are commonly included in Spain but is not mandatory.
- You can also include a personal profile highlighting your qualifications, experience and key skills tailored to the needs of the job you are applying for.
- You should list your work experience in reverse chronological order. Include company name and location, job title, dates of employment and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
- Details of your education and professional qualifications plus any courses you have been on that are relevant to the role you are applying for.
- List any languages and your level of proficiency.
- Other interests, relevant for the position, such as driving licence, hobbies, etc.
- References (optional).
Even if the job posting does not seek a cover letter, it is a good idea to include one. On that note, emphasizing your motivation to live and work in Spain will reassure recruiters that you are committed to the job. Cover letters should be in Spanish and no more than one page (use usted rather than the informal tú).
Interviews
When you are called for an interview in Spain these will generally be one-to-one but you may sometimes face a panel. Virtual interviews are also increasingly common.
You should ensure that you arrive on time (ideally five to ten minutes early). Generally you should be dressed formally but this will depend on the sector and level of the role.
The interview should whenever possible be conducted in Spanish. Shake hands with the interviewer and use the formal usted, or the plural ustedes unless advised that you can use the informal tú.
If you are not completely fluent in Spanish it may be worth practising some Spanish before the interview and particularly ensuring you are familiar with the technical language relevant to your business sector and questions likely to be asked in the interview.
Salaries are often set in the job ad but where you need to negotiate your salary it is always best to do so after the job has been offered and before you have accepted. You should also consider what salary you will need when working abroad.
Working Hours in Spain
Spain’s workdays are typically Monday to Friday and retail stores do not generally open on a Sunday other than in the Summer months and in the build-up to Christmas. Under Spanish law the working week is 40 hours.
The working day in Spain is very different to the norm in northern culture. For many the workday starts at 9:00 and ends around 20:00 with a long lunch break, typically lasting three-hours. After this break, work starts again and ends at around 20:00. Especially in the big cities this practice may not be universally followed with businesses staying open throughout the day.
Social Security and Benefits
Generally, if you are doing any kind of paid work or wish to have access to the benefits of social security, you need to be registered at the social security and pay monthly contributions. You will be issued a número de afiliación de la seguridad social, which is the equivalent to the social security number in Spain and a social security card. Foreigners can get a social security number in the same way as nationals.
Everyone legally residing in Spain is entitled to social security benefits if they are employed, self-employed, students or civil servants or military personnel.
If you will be working for a Spanish employer, your employer will apply for a social security number for you. They must notify social security of the start and end dates of your employment in the company and of any changes such as medical leave, or maternity or paternity leave.
However, if you are self-employed, you will need to obtain a social security number and pay your contributions yourself.