Many people move to Spain work on a self-employed basis or set up
a business, and there are many such opportunities to find work in
Spain. But before moving to Spain you should think about what kind
of work you hope to do. It is easier to find employment if you have
special qualifications or work experience in a trade or profession
which will be in strong demand.
And if you don't have a job when you arrive in Spain but are
planning to find work, you should plan to have enough financial support to last you through
your first year.
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If you have decided to move to Spain for work, you should give
careful consideration and planning to your move. You should consider
your skills, experience and qualifications and whether these will be
sought after in Spain.
If it is absolutely essential that you need to work whilst in Spain,
before travelling over you should think about what kind of work you hope
to do. It is easier to find employment if you have special
qualifications or work experience in a trade or profession which will be
in strong demand. Most qualifications achieved elsewhere in the European
Union are recognised in Spain. If you are hoping to secure a
particularly well-paid job, you must speak fluent Spanish.
If you have not secured a job before you arrive in Spain and are
planning to find work once you are here, then you should consider how
you are going to support yourself until you get established in
employment. You should have enough financial support to last you through
your first year.
Many people moving to Spain work on a self-employed basis or set up a
business, and there are many such opportunities to find work in Spain.
As an EEA citizen, you can enter Spain for up to three months to look
for work or to try to set yourself up in business. If you are going to
live in Spain for more than three months, then you should apply for a
residence card, "tarjeta de residencia".
These are issued by the local authorities and applications can be made
at the local Foreign Office or at the local police station within one
month of arrival in Spain.
There are some steps that you could take to help you find employment
before you arrive in Spain. If you are a UK resident, for example, you
could visit a Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus Office. These offices are in
partnership with all the employment services in the EEA, and you will be
able to access details of vacancies in Spain supplied to them through
the EURES network. They operate a computer network which circulates
details of vacancies and provides up-to-date information on living and
working conditions in Spain - and each EEA Member State. EURES employs
over 700 specially trained advisers throughout the EEA, specialising in
the practical issues surrounding employment in the EEA Member States. So
help will always be on hand to answer any questions or concerns that you
may have.
If you plan to find work whilst you are in Spain, as a EEA national
you can use the Spanish employment service "INEM" or "Oficina de Empleo",
which can be found in all cities and most towns. The offices are run by
the state "Instituto Nacional de Empleo" or the regional Government
Employment Service and their addresses are listed in the telephone
directory. Staff can help you with finding employment, vocational
training or setting up a business.
Other agencies you can use to help you find work are the authorised
non-profit making "Private Placement Agencies". Their services will not
cost you anything as they are paid for by the user, for example the
company that places the situation vacant requirement.
If you have been successful in securing a job offer, it is
recommended that you ask for a contract of at least 6 months from your
employer, which will guarantee you the same rights as a Spanish
employee. Read the contract carefully, checking the terms and conditions
of employment. Make sure you fully understand what is written in the
contract before signing it. The employer may be able to provide you with
a copy in English but if this is not possible and if you do not
understand Spanish, it is advisable that you get the contract
translated.
The general level of wages are lower than those in northern Europe.
However, this must be balanced with the lower cost of living. The
working day in Spain is divided by a long break of two to three hours (a
siesta) to avoid the hottest part of the day. This runs from 2pm in the
afternoon to 4pm or 5pm. Most businesses shut down at this time and
re-open in the evening when temperatures are much cooler. Most workers
have lunch and a sleep during this period.
In the larger cities and towns, companies are replacing the
traditional working day timetable and are now taking a more northern
European approach to the set out of the working day, opting for a
one-hour lunch and earlier finish.
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Rest Assured Property Services
c/Maestro no 5-B
D. Patrocinio Gonzalez Carrillo,
Abanilla, Murcia 30640, Spain
Tel: (0034) 96 868 0551
Mobile (0034) 677138312
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