Working in Spain: everything you need to know

Always wanted to live and work in Spain? Enjoy the Spanish lifestyle and discover a country with everything to offer thanks to our complete guide.

Always wanted to live and work in Spain? You can, and in this article we’re giving you the lowdown to help you make the dream a reality.

If you’re an EU citizen it’s very easy to work in Spain and even as a non-EU resident, you still can make that dream come true. The digital nomad visa, and other work visas, enable you to come and work for the summer, as an au pair, make your dream of living and working in Spain as a digital nomad come true, or work for a company operating in Spain.

Anyone can enjoy the Spanish lifestyle and discover a country with so much to offer: culture, excellent quality of life, sunshine, beaches and so much more.

There’s more paperwork and process for non-EU citizens, but the rewards are definitely worth it! So read on for the low down on working in Spain and how you can make it happen.

Jobs in Spain

Let’s start with the elephant in the room when it comes to jobs in Spain, which is that there is a relatively high unemployment rate here. It is currently 11.27% (Q2 2024), higher than the rest of the EU. Youth unemployment is particularly high, at over 26% in Q2 2024, compared to around 13% in the UK.

However, there are also skills shortages, a demand for English-speaking staff and opportunities for seasonal work, English teaching positions and for remote work in Spain. The key is to identify your niche, try to job hunt in the bigger cities, look at in-demand industries and work hard on your Spanish!

Skills shortages are found in the fields of accounting and finance, consulting, engineering, IT, marketing, medicine, tourism and web development. You will also find opportunities to teach English, especially if you have a TEFL qualification, and work in the hospitality industry, particularly during the peak season.

Other options are to look for remote work in Spain. For that, you’ll need to find work for an international company, which allows remote working and then apply for the digital nomad visa. You can also work as an Au Pair, if you’re between 17 and 30, and love kids. Another popular option is to go out on your own, and set up your own company or become a freelancer in Spain.

In Marbella and the Costa del Sol, many English speakers also look to Gibraltar as a source of well-paid jobs, particularly in the areas of gaming and finance, where a lack of Spanish is not an issue. Commuting to Gibraltar from the Costa del Sol is an option and allows you to experience all the lifestyle benefits of living in Spain, while accessing more job opportunities.

Spain: the best place to work and live

We love living and working in Spain and we’re certainly not alone! According to Expat Insider Survey 2024, Spain offers the best quality of life for expats. It has been in this top spot for three years and is ranked 4th out of 53 for general happiness as a great place to live for expats. In the Better Life Index, it also scores highly, particularly in the areas of work-life balance, health, social connections and safety.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect if you work and live in Spain.

Excellent Climate

Spain boasts over 320 days of sunshine a year, making it the sunniest country in Europe. According to the HSBC Expat Explorer survey, good weather was listed as a major factor for people to move to Spain, with 39% of respondents saying that this was a determining factor for their decision.

The climate enables a vibrant social life and more opportunities to enjoy the wonderful beaches and the great outdoors. The warm weather extends even into the winter months, which makes it the ideal location to work if you’re looking to cut down on ever-increasing energy costs and escape the cold winters in the UK, Northern Europe or Scandinavia.

High quality of life

Spain is ranked as the 14th best country in Europe for expats by the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey due to the quality of life.

Rated as a great country for work-life balance, you can enjoy your leisure time exploring the country, making the most of the good weather, socializing, or just enjoying some time at the beach or in the countryside. Spanish workers enjoy around 36 days off a year, allowing time for disconnection from work and lower stress levels.

The Spanish Culture

Living in Spain means that you can learn more about this fascinating country which has been shaped by its diverse culture.

The country is steeped in history. From the Tartessus, Romans, and Moors to the modern-day influx of people from different origins and backgrounds, Spain is an ideal country to explore and experience the wonders it has to offer.

The amazing food, traditions and music, can be enjoyed at the many fiestas celebrated throughout the year. It’s a fascinating culture to learn about and be part of. Find out more about the history and culture in Andalucia

Why work in Spain? Benefits of working in Spain

While job availability can be a struggle, Spain is one of the top countries for digital nomads. Countless remote workers have flocked here in recent years due to the many benefits, including excellent healthcare, affordable living costs and high quality of life. There are many options for remote work in Spain and working from home too.

There are many reasons why so many nomads are drawn to the country and the digital nomad visa has made working in Spain cheaper and more accessible!

Here are just a few of the benefits of being a digital nomad in Spain:

The best internet speeds in the European Union

Spain is an attractive option for remote workers as it has some of the best internet speeds in Europe, coming in just behind Monaco and Denmark.

This means that you don’t have to worry about unreliable internet connections and can work efficiently from wherever you are.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is one of the major factors when deciding where you want to live and work.

The average cost of living in Spain is cheaper than many other EU countries in terms of groceries, socializing and property rentals. This means your international salary will go a lot further!

Healthcare & Healthy Living

Depending on your visa type, you will be able to access the national healthcare system, which is excellent, or the many private hospitals and clinics, which can be accessed via affordable private healthcare plans. Healthcare provision in Spain received an 8.4 out of 10 rating for OECD satisfaction levels.

Spain was deemed the healthiest country in the world by Bloomberg in 2024. This is due to its strong public healthcare system, access to preventive care, low smoking rate, active lifestyles, and the Mediterranean diet. So, working in Spain may be good for you!!

Requirements to work in Spain

If you’re coming from an EU country, you don’t need a visa to work in Spain and it’s a very easy process. Although of course, you’ll still have to find a job!

However, if you are a UK citizen, or are from other non-European countries, you will need to either apply for a visa, or decide to volunteer for under 90 days, out of 180.

Spanish visas

There are a number of different visas you can apply for if you want to find a job and work in Spain, but are not from an EU country.

To work a full-time job, for a Spanish company, you need to get an employee visa or a long-term work visa. It’s very important to note that your job has to be classified as a job which has a skills shortage, or the employer needs to demonstrate that there were no suitable candidates within the EU to do the job. Once your employer has given you a contract, they will request a work permit for you, and you will receive a copy of the visa application and go through the process. Please note, this may take up to 8 months to secure.

If you just want to come over for the summer and work in hospitality or tourism, you can apply for a seasonal work visa. The requirements are that you need to have signed a contract with a Spanish company and can prove that you have accommodation, can cover your travel expenses and will not stay beyond when your contract expires.

If you want to come and work as an Au Pair with a family in Spain and are between 17 and 30 years old, you can apply for a one-year Au Pair Visa. You need to already have a formal agreement with the host family, proof of sufficient income or savings to support yourself, have medical coverage and a clean criminal record.

But probably the most popular Spanish work visa at the moment is the digital nomad visa, as it allows you to work in Spain, without facing the struggles of finding a job within Spain, or needing to speak Spanish. Another benefit of this visa is that you can be paid a higher salary than you’d be able to get in Spain, while enjoying the lower cost of living, meaning your money goes a lot further.

You need to have a job in another country that can be performed remotely, and you need to have been working for that company for at least 3 months. You must also have a degree, or at least 3 years of experience in your current field. You must also have a clean criminal record, health insurance and proof of financial means of supporting yourself in Spain, which is at least 200% of the Spanish national minimum wage. Read our guide to the digital nomad visa in Spain for more information.

How to get a job in Spain

Contacting employment agencies, searching via LinkedIn and browsing the job groups on Facebook are all great ways of finding a job in Spain.

You can also go directly to companies you’d particularly like to work for and apply through their career pages.

Look out for job fairs as well, where you can meet with employers and hand in your CV.

Work from home jobs in Spanish

While the job market in Spain can be more traditional than in other countries, there are still some great opportunities to work from home in Spain, especially if you speak Spanish.

These can be jobs such as customer service or telesales roles, administration, translations, copywriting, digital marketing and web work. Online teaching is also a popular work from home job in Spain. You can teach or tutor in Spanish, or work from home as an English teacher in Spain, where Spanish is a bonus, but not a necessity.

Long term rentals in Spain

If you’re looking to work in Spain, then the first thing you’ll need to find is accommodation. We’d recommend starting with a long-term rental property, as this will give you flexibility to move where the jobs are, or find your perfect place before taking the plunge and buying.

We have a selection of long term rentals in Marbella and the Costa del Sol, which make great places to live while you work in Spain. These are perfect for seasonal work, digital nomads, or as a base for your job in Spain. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we can send you a shortlist of excellent long term rental properties in Marbella and beyond.

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