Everything you need to know about working in Spain as a foreigner

If you plan on living in Spain, make sure you get a good job beforehand. As a foreigner it is hard to get a job once you are already in the country. Bear in mind that the Spanish job market it is very wide in big international cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, or Sevilla; so, if you want to move to more relucted towns, there are more obstacles to have in mind.

In this article you can find every aspect related to finding a job in Spain and how to start a career.
 

What is required to Work in Spain?
First, you need to sort out all the paperwork needed to work and live in Spain.

FOR EU/EEA National

For EU nationals, there are no restrictions thanks to the open boundaries in the European Union. However, if you are a non-EU national, you will need a work and residence visa. Apart from residence permits, most expats will need a work permit. If you already have a job in Spain, the application process for the permit is easier.

FOR Non-EU/EEA Nationals

In this case you must meet a few requirements to work in Spain as a foreigner. For example, you need to have a clean criminal record, you have to pay the fee for the temporary residence application or, you need a work contract signed by you and your employer.
 

How do I get a job in Spain as a Foreigner?
Most of the times, expats come to Spain to work in the touristic and academic fields or business related to Marketing, IT or Sales. Spain also offers a shortage occupation list, published by the Public Employment Service, where you can find job opportunities as an expat.

Nonetheless, there are some common jobs in demand in Spain. Most of them require a good English level, so they are a good option for expats. In these occupations we can find:
 

Average Gross Annual Salary

Source: InterNations Go! (2021)
 

How do apply for a job in Spain?
The most common documents to apply for a job in through your CV and a cover letter. We recommend that you follow the Spanish-style CV, which is pretty like any CV, but it will be more attractive for Spanish companies.

Your CV should include the following information:

1. Personal details: full name, date of birth, nationality, address, phone number (ALWAYS with the international code).
2. Photo: in Spain is very usual to put a photo on the CV. Even though it is not ethically correct, most companies take importance on this aspect.
3. Education.
4. Work experience.
5. Languages.
6. Skills.
7. References (optional).

We also recommend that you write your resume in Spanish to ensure the language barriers does not hinder your chances. Also, try to stick to one page, so the information is not too exhaustive and long. Recruiters like to read one page where the information is concise and detail.
 

What about the salary in Spain?
There are many factors that determines a good salary in Spain. For example, your occupation, the cost of the city/town you live in, your previous experience or your overall lifestyle. If you wish to live comfortably in Spain, you have to make sure your net salary covers all your expenses and allows you to save up.

In average, the minimum wage in Spain around 1.050,00 EUR, and the average salary goes between 1.900,00 and 2.120,00 EUR per month.
 

CONCLUSION
Organizing and international relocation is complicated but not impossible. Nowadays there is a lot of information available to do a research on the country you want to move in. The job opportunities for expats in Spain are wide and essential for the country, so do not hesitate to consider Spain as a place to work and live in the future.