Living and working in Spain

What you need to know about living and working in Spain

Spain has been a desired vacation destination for many years. The Spanish culture differs markedly from other European countries, and if you combine it with the mild climate and the beautiful nature, you have the answer to why  especially Nordic people are attracted to this southern European country. The Spaniards are known for being warm, welcoming, and social, and family is very important. Religion also continues to play a role in Spanish society, where most are Catholics.

What it is like to work in Spain

If you find a job in Spain, you must prepare to change your daily rhythm significantly compared to many other European countries:

• The length of the work week is approximately 40 hours;
• Spaniards often have 2-3 hours of siesta when the temperature is highest;
• Work days often extend to 20.00 or later;
• Work culture is social and largely based on relationships;
• Before agreements can be made people often spend time getting to know each other. Face to face and preferably over good dinners;
• In general, Spaniards prefer personal contact rather than phone calls and emails.

Wages are generally lower in Spain than in e.g. northern Europe, and the same applies to the cost of living. Of course, there is a difference between country and city – in the big cities you should expect a higher rent but often also a slightly higher salary. Income tax is between 19% and 45% – the highest rate applies when you earn 60,000 euros a year.

Work in Madrid

Madrid is a financial capital in southern Europe, and it’s  a very innovative environment in technology fields. Spain is in general suffering from a lack of job opportunities, even for EU citizens. But language based jobs and jobs in the restoring and service areas such as restaurants and hotels are available. If you want to know more about the cost of living in Spain, look at our articles about Barcelona and Valencia.

How to find work and housing in Spain

• Online, where you may be lucky enough to find a home through the many websites and online groups for expats in Spain;
• You can also search on Spanish sites like Tucasa and Fotocasa, where you can find a wide variety of rental homes.
• If you are going to work in Spain during your sabbatical year, you may also be able to find a time-limited lease, like a sublet apartment;
• You can also apply for jobs from home, for example through international recruitment agencies. Read reports from candidates who we have helped find jobs in Spain and the rest of the world.

What are the costs of housing in Spain?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Spain depends on the place where you live:

• In a major city like Madrid this will cost around €1,370;
• Barcelona is similar, with an average of €1,370.
• In smaller towns or rural areas room for a 1-bedroom apartment will be around €400-€600. 

If you find these prices a bit high, consider shared housing. A room in a shared apartment in one of the big cities will cost around €300-€650 a month. Next to rent, utilities are also a part of prices for housing in Spain. Utilities like electricity, gas, water and  garbage are typically around €100–€150 a month for a medium-sized apartment.

How much tax do you have to pay in Spain?

Taxes in Spain are progressive and they go from 19% to 45%. Check out exactly how much tax you have to pay in Spain:

•  Up to €12,450; 19%
• €12,451-€20,200; 24%
• €20,201-€35,200; 30%
• €35,201-€60,000; 37%
• €60,001-€300,000; 45%
• Over €300,000; 47%

Why should you start living and working in Spain?

Living and working in Spain is the right fit if you:

• Dream of working in a warmer climate and love to explore local food and culture;
• Enjoy the fact that Spaniards are welcoming, open, and full of passion;
• Are looking for a little change in culture

Contact us at Job Squad if you want to hear more about having a job in Spain – whether you have to take a sabbatical or just need new experiences and variety in your working or personal life.