Job Opportunities in Spain

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN SPAIN

So you've decided to move to Spain. Unless you are retired and living on a pension, you will have to find work. There are many job opportunities in Spain but if you have little or no knowledge of the Spanish language you will be at a distinct disadvantage. In order to make your Spanish dream come true you may have to change job direction entirely i.e. reinvent yourself.

This page will help you identify what work and job opportunities exist in Spain, especially if you are an English speaker. We also tell you the most likely areas in Spain where you're likely to find work and for a more detailed description of living and working in Spain you may want to see our main page on jobs in Spain.

Please note if you are looking for a job in the public sector such as teaching or policing, even with the right qualifications these jobs are only available to Spanish nationals. In other words if you are a foreigner there is no need to apply. However in the medical field doctors and nurses of other nationalities are welcome.

Another major barrier to finding jobs in Spain apart from the language barrier is the local language barrier, if seeking a job in Barcelona Catalan is the language of the day, in Benidorm it is Valenciano, In Bibao Basque, in Marbella Andalucian etc. So clearly this limits your job opportunities in Spain considerably.

Job opportunities in Spain are also restricted because Spain has a very high unemployment rate, as high as 20% in some areas, so prospective employers can be very choosy with potential vacancies.

Also one has to take into account the social security the boss and employer has to pay when offering you a contract. It is with little wonder that a large number of the population in Spain is working illegally i.e. black work.

If you are moving to Spain it is important to note that you are not going to earn as much money as you were in your previous job, you will be working much harder with longer hours for less in exchange for the beach and sunshine. You can typically expect to earn 75% of what you are earning now, and the cost of living is perhaps 5% lower that at home.

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WHERE ARE THE BEST JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINDING WORK IN SPAIN?

Don´t be disheartened there are job opportunities especially in the English speaking sector, where the expats live, on the Costas such as Torrevieja, Torremolinos, Marbella, Javea, Moraira, Benidorm, Villamartin, La Zenia, Calpe, Mojacar etc. i.e. in restaurants, bars, supermarkets, builders, plumbers and electricians. Most expats don't have the command of the Spanish language and prefer to use someone that they can trust, be understood and understand.

Vacancies in the building trade such as plumbers, electricians, painters, tilers etc. can steadily earn between 100-200 Euros per day. As Spain has had a building explosion over the last decade seeking a job in these fields with the necessary paperwork are the easiest and best paying jobs to find.

The typical working day in Spain doesn't commence until 10 in the morning and doesn't typically finish until 8 in the evening, but don't worry there is a 3 hour siesta in the afternoon to escape the midday heat.

Another favourite line of work for job seekers is everything to do with the tourist trade, from villa maintenance, villa cleaning, to estate agent, to gardening service, pool service and then of course there is a large variety of jobs in the catering industry. Villa work i.e. cleaning and jobs in the catering industry count mainly as seasonal work. The season typically starts in April or Easter whichever comes first and ends at the end of October.

Job seekers have many means at their disposal to find jobs, the newspapers, internet, word of mouth and of course taking the plunge and going the self-employed route. That of course is a very different kettle of fish compared to the United Kingdom as there is the social security and Gestor which has to be paid every month which is in excess of 300 Euros monthly as well as IVA of 16% which is payable from the first Euro that you earn. You have to have licences for everything you do so being able to deal with the bureaucrats and the paperwork is an ordeal in itself.

Another favourite job for the expatriate seeking job opportunities in Spain is in the beauty industry. There are a large number of English hairdressers and nail technicians looking for qualified staff to work in their salons. Also in the fitness industries the local gyms are always looking for qualified yoga and Pilate instructors.

We hope this article on job opportunities in Spain has not put you off considering moving to Spain and looking for work opportunities in Spain but we have to be honest and truthful and because we live here in Spain, we do know how hard it can be to relocate and move here and to find work and survive financially.

Jobs Opportunities in Spain

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN SPAIN

WHERE ARE THE BEST JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINDING WORK IN SPAIN?