What are the best Expat jobs in Spain? It’s no exaggeration that Spain is one of the best places in the world to work. You benefit from the cheap cost of living, fantastic weather, and laid-back lifestyle, and you also get great benefits as an employee. Free healthcare, 30 days paid vacation per year, maternity/paternity pay, and pension contributions are all standard for employees nationwide.
In my experience, the biggest hurdle you’ll encounter as an Expat finding work in Spain is the paperwork involved. There’s a lot of documentation to fill out, visas to arrange, and red tape to cut before you can even be eligible to be hired in Spain.
This is true for everyone outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland — including US and UK citizens. But don’t let this tiny hiccup deter you. The hassle is a small price for the chance to live somewhere as incredible as Spain.
To help understand what it’s like to find a job and work in Spain, here’s an overview of the current types of jobs in demand. Plus, our advice on how to find work as an English speaker, the best places to seek out new jobs, and Spanish work permits.
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The Current Job Market in Spain
According to the EAE Business School, there are a lot of open positions in Spain’s job market that employers are struggling to fill. The category highest in demand is sales, followed by engineering, technology, marketing, administration, finance, and legal. Operators, healthcare, management, and logistics follow these. If you have any experience or qualifications in any of these fields, you’ve got a great chance of landing a job in Spain.
As reliance on technology grows in Spain, related skills and qualifications become increasingly valuable. If you have any experience working in big data, computer engineering, cyber security, e-commerce, and computer management, you’ve got an even better chance of being hired. For many companies, jobs for Expats with international experience are hard to fill.
Which Jobs Are Most in Demand in Spain?
There are many opportunities for English speakers in the Spanish job market. Some of the most in-demand jobs in the country right now are:
● Sales Specialist
● Account executive
● Cyber security analyst
● Growth manager
● Sustainability consultant
● Business development manager
● Logistics expert
● Customer relationship manager
● Site reliability engineer
● Artificial intelligence engineer
Do you need a Work Visa to Work in Spain?
You need a work visa to legally work in Spain if you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. There are several different visas depending on your situation, and it’s crucial you choose the right one to avoid unwanted surprises down the road. You can use this Spain work visas guide to help you make the right choice.
How to Find English-Speaking Jobs in Spain
While finding work in Spain without speaking Spanish is possible, your opportunities are limited. In my experience, you have more chance of landing a great job when you speak Spanish than others who only speak English. Plus, you’ll have the advantage over locals who only speak Spanish.
There are many jobs where speaking English is a great advantage. These include teaching English as a foreign language, translating/interpreting, aircraft cabin crew, and anything tourist related, such as working in a bar, restaurant, or hotel reception.
Here are some of the best sites to help you find English-speaking jobs in Spain:
● Teachaway.com (Teaching opportunities)
● LinkedIn (Job opportunities and networking)
● Eventbrite.com (Professional networking events)
● BforBSpain (Networking events)
Jobs in Spain for British Citizens
Several years ago, it was easy for a British citizen to move to Spain and get a job. As an expert when it comes to moving to Spain, I can confidently say that isn’t the case anymore. Because of Brexit, there’s much more paperwork and hoops to jump through to get a job in Spain. But that shouldn’t put you off seeking your dream life in the sun.
Finance, engineering, and IT are all industries that hire a high percentage of British Expats. If you’ve any experience, qualifications, or skills in these industries, you’re already a step ahead of the rest.
Jobs in Spain for Americans
US citizens face the same difficulties getting jobs in Spain as British citizens. As a US citizen, you’re outside the EU/EEA/Swiss area, so there’s a lot of paperwork involved before you can be eligible to work in Spain. But it’s a hurdle to overcome — not a wall to stop you.
Technology, healthcare, and education are all industries that hire a high percentage of American Expats. If you have any skills, qualifications, or experience in these industries, you’ve got the advantage when getting a job. English teachers, both formal and informal, are always in demand.
How to Get a Job in Spain
Having powerful personal connections is one of the best ways to get a job anywhere in the world. And in my personal experience, Spain is no exception. Because of this, you should try to make professional connections with others through networking events and casual meetings.
To boost your chances of getting hired, I recommend you tweak your CV for each position you apply for. Every time you apply, make sure you include the following:
● A short cover letter
● Your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, nationality
● NIE and social security number
● A recent photo
● Work experience in reverse chronological order
● Educational background
● Languages, certifications, skills
My knowledge of Spanish culture has taught me that you need to be flexible and open-minded regarding job searching. The job culture in Spain is likely to be a lot different than what you’re used to, and you’ll get much further if you embrace and accept it. The first job offer you receive may not be for your dream position, but it’s the first rung on the ladder to your dream life in Spain.
You may also need an account with a good bank in Spain to be paid by a Spanish company.
Ready to find Expats Jobs in Spain?
It may be a bit of a challenge, but finding work in Spain as an Expat is possible. With the right skills, work visa, and positive mindset, you have all the tools you need to impress potential employers. That is all you need to land yourself a great job that can support the lifestyle you’re seeking. Never get discouraged in your search. The next position you apply for could be the one that changes your life.
Here are some extra resources to help you get started in your job search:
● Infojobs.net (Opportunities with big companies like Mercadona and IKEA)
● Trabajos.com (Blue collar jobs)
● Turijobs.com (Jobs in tourism and hospitality)
● Xpatjobs.com (Jobs specifically for English speakers)
And those resources should get you started with your search for Expat jobs in Spain.
FAQ – Expat Jobs in Spain
How can a foreigner get a job in Spain?
To get a job in Spain as a foreigner, you must be 18+, have the right to work, and be registered with social security. Someone aged 16-18 can work, but you need explicit authorization from your legal guardians to do so.
Based on my years of experience, the company hiring you will register you with social security. But you must take a trip to your nearest social security office to obtain your affiliation number first.
Is it easy to find a job in Spain?
Finding a job in Spain is easy if you have the right skills. If you’ve got knowledge, experience, and qualifications in the following sectors, you shouldn’t have a problem getting hired:
● Sales
● Engineering
● Information technology
● Marketing
● Graphic design
● Finance
● Legal
● Healthcare
● Customer service
● Data processing
What jobs are most in demand in Spain?
The jobs currently in demand in Spain are sales specialists, account executives, cyber security analysts, growth managers, and sustainability consultants.
Through my extensive research and personal experience, I can say with certainty that the following positions are also highly in demand in the country:
● Business development managers
● Logistics experts
● Customer relationship managers
● Site reliability engineers
● Solutions engineers
● Cloud systems engineers
● Data engineers
● Investment banking analysts
● Clinical trials managers
Can I get employment in Spain without an NIE?
You cannot get a legal job in Spain without an NIE. Before any potential employer offers you a legal work contract, they must ask for your NIE and social security number. Your employer will include both in your official paperwork.
As someone who has lived in Spain for 21 years, I know the job is illegal if someone offers it to you without requesting your NIE. And as an off-book job, you won’t have any of the protection a work contract provides.
Can I find a job in Spain if I don’t speak Spanish?
You don’t need to speak Spanish to find a job in Spain. Although it depends on where in the country you want to live, you’ll find that many locals speak at least a basic level of English. As an experienced Expat, I can assure you that it’s possible to get a job working in tourism or hospitality if you only speak English. So don’t let your lack of languages put you off looking for work in Spain.
What’s the average salary in Spain?
The average salary in Spain is €24,009.12. This is divided into 14 payments of €1,714.94. Twelve payments are made each calendar month, plus one extra in August and one extra in December. This is lower than the average US salary, which is €88,8810.90, and lower than the average UK salary, which is €43,576.89.
Note: It’s important to remember that these aren’t fair comparisons. Spain is about 19 times smaller than the US, and its population reflects that. Although Spain is twice the size of the UK, it has a smaller population making fair comparisons difficult.
Hello,
Wonderful information. May I ask what you recommend if I have a background in education and I am a dual citizen? How should I present myself on paper? And should I translate my CV?
Thank you!
Hi Maria. You need to tailor your application and CV to the individual role. If you were applying for an English-medium school for a position teaching English, then an English CV would be fine. If you are applying for an English teacher role in a Spanish medium school, you should assume that the native language of the recruiter will be Spanish. It is essential to highlight your dual citizenship as it gives you the right to live and work indefinitely in Spain. All the best, Alastair