Are you on the hunt for year-round sunshine, a vibrant social scene, and excellent career opportunities? Sounds like working in Spain is your best bet! Spain has an incredible amount to offer people who want solid work-life balance and is one of the top expat destinations in the world.
With views like these, it’s no surprise.
But, how hard is it to find a job in Spain? While it’s certainly easier to secure an expat job in Spain as a European, finding jobs in Spain for Americans isn’t as uncommon as you might think it is. There are currently over 3 million expats working in Spain, and more than 2 million of these expats come from outside of the EU. That’s a lot of workforce diversity for one country!
Once you’ve decided to nail down your dream job in Spain, it’s time to get yourself in the Spanish no pasa nada attitude and hit the ground running. While it might be somewhat challenging to figure out how to get a job in Spain, it’ll be so worth it to live and work in the Mediterranean sunshine!
Is it easy to get a job in Spain?
In recent years, Spain has struggled with a high unemployment rate and low job availability. This has made it more challenging for non-locals to secure job offers, even temporary positions. But not all industries fluctuate in the same way, and there are a number of sectors where native English speakers can make a huge difference. Healthcare, IT, automotive, food/beverage, and tourism are all growing industries with many job openings.
Always remember, too, that job vacancies vary greatly depending on the region. Rural areas throughout Spain obviously don’t have as many large companies as Madrid or Barcelona, but many smaller communities have become tourist hot-spots and need English-speaking employees. If you’re wondering specifically how to get a job in Spain as an American, looking for touristy areas outside of cities is one great technique!
It might be “easier” to secure a corporate job in a city, but if your goal is to become super immersed in a tight-knit community, living in a city might not really align with your aspirations. It all depends on what you’re hoping to get out of the experience!
READ: 7 Best Ways to Work Abroad
Are there jobs in Spain for English speakers?
If you’re an English speaker with minimal Spanish skills, teaching English in Spain is a great option.
Rest assured that there are tons of jobs in Spain for English speakers. Between Spain’s thriving tourism industry and bustling international cities, there’s plenty of opportunity for non-Spanish speakers to grow their careers. Seasonal expat jobs in Spain make up the majority of positions within tourism and hospitality, but permanent jobs can also be secured within these fields.
One of the best ways to get a job in Spain as an American is by teaching English. Spanish parents recognize the importance of immersing their children in other languages and usually prefer to hire a native English speaker. If you’re considering teaching English, look into becoming TEFL certified so you stand out more from the crowd.
Don’t forget that there are also jobs that cater specifically to your fellow expat community. Spain’s coastal regions and major cities have become year-round expat hubs, and some businesses focus just on supporting these temporary workers. Don’t limit yourself to only traditional tourism and hospitality jobs!
READ: 14 Cool Careers Involving Languages and Travel
Do I need a visa to work in Spain?
A work visa will be your gateway to employment in Spain.
Getting the proper paperwork in order is usually the most headache-inducing part of working abroad, but try not to stress about how to get a Spanish work visa. Spain work visa requirements vary greatly depending on your country of citizenship, and citizens of the EU and EFTA can actually work in Spain without a permit.
However, most non-EU/EEA citizens need a work permit. You must secure an employment contract before you can apply for one and you can’t be living in the country when you apply. Your employer will need to submit an application for a work permit to the Ministry of Labor, which will then be forwarded to you to submit to the Spanish embassy for your visa application.
There are several types of work permits offered for different lengths of employment and types of jobs. Two of the most common work visas are:
- Work employment visas for highly-qualified professionals and seasonal workers, which are available for various lengths of time.
- Self-employed work visas to work in Spain for up to one year, which have different requirements than traditional work visas. You will need to first apply for a visa to enter Spain, then a residence permit to stay long-term, and then a self-employed work permit.
Some people don’t need a permit to work in Spain, but you might still need a visa to enter Spain at all. These could include professors, scientists, and journalists. If you’re joining a family member with a Spanish work permit, it’s possible you won’t need a visa.
If you’re staying in Spain long-term, you will need to apply for a resident permit and Foreigner’s Identity Number when you arrive. This can be done through the local Foreigner’s Office or police department within 30 days of arrival.
READ: International Visas: What You Need to Know
What are the requirements to work in Spain?
As with anywhere in the world, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites to work in Spain.
There are specific skills, experiences, education, and government documents that you’ll need to take into consideration before applying to jobs. Some of the requirements to work in Spain include:
- Proficiency in Spanish: Depending on the job, the level of Spanish proficiency needed will vary. Corporate positions might require near-fluency while seasonal tourism jobs could prefer just English. Be sure to check with the hiring managers if you have any questions about your language abilities aligning with their needs.
- Specific job requirements: Every business has different needs and goals. Just like when you’re applying to jobs back home, make sure you have the right experiences and skills to truly qualify for the job. You don’t want to waste your time or a hiring manager’s!
- Relevant degree: Some industries such as healthcare and engineering require at least a four-year degree or more to be considered for open positions. This could be the case even for seasonal jobs. Make sure your educational background is consistent with the relevant Spanish academic requirements.
- Work visas and permits: As we highlighted above, make sure you know which type of permit or visa you’ll need to secure and understand the process for how to get a work visa in Spain.
READ: How to Get a Job Overseas With No Experience
How to get a job in Spain as an American
Let authentic paella be your motivation.
Figuring out how to work in Spain as an American isn’t super different from starting a job search at home. But, before you get rolling with job applications, take some time to organize yourself and then start working through the following:
- Decide the type of job you want and your professional goals: Not all jobs are created equal, so it’s important that you determine what your goals are before you start applying. Are you hoping to gain language proficiency and want to be immersed in a small community? Or does a bustling city with many thriving industries sound more like your style? Spain has a wide diversity of professional opportunities!
- Understand Spanish work culture and professional differences: Some parts of Spanish work culture might be unusual to American workers, like the traditional mid-day break known as the siesta. Many Spanish companies have started to shift away from this and have somewhat stricter schedules, so it can be challenging to know what “type” of business you’re applying to. Be sure to list out any questions you might need to ask the hiring managers about the company culture or scheduling specifics.
- Fine-tune your resume: Most resume best-practices are fairly universal, like highlighting your top experiences and any tangible results. But every industry and job has nuances that you’ll want to pay close attention to when crafting your resume and CV. While this is uncommon in the US, many European countries and industries prefer that candidates submit a headshot with their application. You can use a passport photo for this or any other professional picture.
- Find jobs through staffing agencies and expat groups: Beyond all the standard ways of searching for jobs online, consider connecting with a Spanish staffing agency to help you quickly learn about open positions. A recruiter can recommend new start-ups looking to hire English-speakers that you might otherwise never have heard of. Don’t be afraid to also join online expat groups to ask for tips. And be sure to check out GoAbroad’s listings for Spanish work programs!
- Crush the interview process: Just like with your resume, the standards for a good interview are pretty similar between countries. Always come prepared with questions for the interviewer and be ready to demonstrate your professional results!
- Apply for any needed documentation: Once you’ve secured a job offer, you can start the process of securing any permits or visas needed. Don’t forget that your passport will need to be valid for at least 90 days past your last day working in Spain, so get it renewed if it might expire too quickly.
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Expand your career in Spain!
Next stop: siestas, fiestas, and sol.
Once you’ve nailed down your dream job in Spain, it’s time to fiesta and enjoy all the amazing parts of living in Spain. With an attitude of celebrating life unlike any other region, Spain offers an incredible work-life balance that most expats thoroughly embrace. Pack your bags and get ready to rapidly expand your career!