Working in Spain
At present, the Spanish job market is robust, which makes working in Spain an achievable dream. The wages are generally lower than those in northern Europe, but the cost of living is lower and the overall lifestyle better. Most qualifications obtained elsewhere in the European Union are recognised in Spain with the workforce accepting foreigners into the community.
Obtaining a contract of at least 6 months from your employer will guarantee you the same rights as a Spanish employee. This contact should be read carefully so getting it translated if you do not speak Spanish is a good idea. Temporary contracts are generally offered for 3/6/9 months. After this contract expires, to keep you on, the employer has to offer a long-term contract to keep you on. They are not allowed to keep offering short-term contracts.
Although the European parliament is putting pressure on the traditional Spanish working pattern, work hours in Spain currently include a siesta (which is a 2 - 3 hour break in the afternoon). Most business shut down at this time and re-open in the cooler hours of the evening.
Spanish workers are, like the lifestyle, quite laid back with no great rush to get things done. Their rights are heavily protected from exploitation with employee contracts strictly adhered to.
Work Permits
If you are an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Spain - you can enter the country as a tourist and register with the Spanish national employment office (Instituto Nacional de Empleo - INEM) to look for a job. You then have 90 days to find employment - you can obtain an extension after that date or leave Spain and re-enter for a further 90 days. Once you get a job, you will need your employment contract in order to apply for your residence permit.
Residents of countries outside the EU who wish to work in Spain must obtain a work permit. They must also obtain a visa before moving to work in Spain.
Types of work permits
Employees
Type A work permit: for seasonal or time-limited work. This may entail a specific contract or a specific geographic area. Its maximum duration is nine months, including renewal.
Type b initial work permit: It enables the foreigner to work in a specific profession, activity and geographic area for a maximum period of one year.
Type B renewed work permit: This is issued to those b initial holders once it has expired. It entitles you to carry on various professions or activities within a maximum period of two years.
Type C work permit: issued to the B renewed work permit holders once it has expired. This entitles the foreign worker to perform any professional activity throughout the Spanish territory.
Self-Employed
Type d initial work permit: To carry on a specific activity for a maximum of one year. Spanish authorities could limit this to a specific geographic area.
Type D renewed work permit: This is issued to those d initial holders once that permit has expired. It entitles him to perform various professional activities for a maximum period of two years. Spanish labour authorities could limit this to a specific geographic area and/or a specific activity.
Type E work permit: This is issued to those holding the D renewed work permit once it has expired. This entitles the foreign worker to perform any professional activity throughout the Spanish territory for a maximum period of three years.
Visit http://www.workpermit.com/spain/spain.htm for more information and to download application forms.
Education
Education is compulsory in Spain from 6 to 16, and schools in Spain are increasingly considered to be of a better standard than many other European countries (including the UK) with fewer discipline problems. Here's a quick guide to the options and how they work.
The Spanish education system
Pre-school age 1-6
A good way to integrate your children into the community. There are state nurseries and private nurseries, some run by expats.
Compulsory education age 6-14
Pupils complete their basic general education (Educacion General Basica or EGB). At the end of this they'll receive a school leaving certificate which determines what they move onto next. Unlike UK schools, if children fail their end of year exams in both primary or secondary schools, they risk having to repeat the entire academic year - a definite motivator!
Technical school age 14-16
Less academic pupils go on to a vocational school. The first year is compulsory and covers general career teaching. The second year is optional and allows students to specialise in a particular subject and go on work placements.
High school age 14-18
More academic pupils go on to a secondary school to study for their Baccalaureate diploma.
University
Most universities in the UK recognise the Baccalaureate diploma as well as A levels. Applicants for Spanish universities are expected to complete the Selectividad entrance exam in their final year at high school.
In Spain it's usual for students to go to the nearest university and live at home. There are several good universities in the area, when it comes to grants, it's a familiar story - you're very unlikely to get one. So whether they're at university in Spain or in the UK, it will be quite an investment.
National Association of British Schools in Spain; www.nabss.org
NIE Number
As a foreigner living and/or working in Spain, the first thing you MUST do on arrival is obtain an NIE number. This is a simple process providing you follow the guidelines. You can get a Gestor to apply for you but it will cost you about €100. To do it yourself, go to the National Police station and collect an application form or download it from the Spanish Consulate website. We at Carnival are pleased to provide NIE application forms and a translation into English, free of charge to our customers.
Tax
Personal circumstances vary greatly but you may cease to be liable to UK tax if you cut all ties with the UK and become domiciled abroad. However you will technically be a UK resident if you spend a requisite number of days in the UK and will consequently suffer UK tax on your income. Obtain more information on tax and your domicile status from the Inland Revenue's document called IR20. If you do change you residency cash held offshore may still be liable to tax in Spain depending on local tax rules. Please note that Spain imposes a wealth tax on your world-wide assets. However, as Spain and UK have a double taxation treaty you should be given relief for double taxation. Please remember that if you are proposing to rent out your UK property this will attract a UK income tax charge.
Pensions
You will need to consider your pensions, tax, life assurance, investments and healthcare arrangements in your new home. Please note that members of EU countries such as a UK national, a Dane, a Swede or Norwegian has the right to live in Spain by virtue of their countries' membership of the European Economic Area.
If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State pension. If you are moving permanently to Spain, you should get yearly increases in your pension. Contact the Social Security Office to complete the correct forms.
Before you leave the UK work out your retirement income by obtaining and completing a form BR19 from the Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice Unit (RPFA) on 0044(0) 191 218 7585 and ask for a state pension forecast. This is available up to four months before you reach the UK pension age. The forecast you receive subject to your general entitlement will tell you what your pension is at the date received and whether or not you will get more by the time you reach UK pension age.
Note that if you have already moved, and are paying local Spanish social security payments, that this forecast will not include your local contributions.
You should write to The UK Pensions Service informing them that you are moving to Spain and give them your new address. Their address is International Pension Centre, Tyne View Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7777; Fax: +44 (0) 191 218 3836.
Note that the state pension age and entitlements may vary between Spain and the UK. To check on your pension rights in Spain we suggest that as a first step you should look at www.ukinspain.com/english/. This is a UK government website dedicated to providing information for those re-locating to Spain from the UK.
Banking
If you are buying a property in Spain, you will have to set up a Spanish Bank account. You can do this as a resident or non-resident, and it is a very easy process. You will find that all banks on the Costa del Sol have English speakers on the team as do many of the branches in the more rural areas.
The two main types of banks in Spain are commercial banks for current accounts, called bancos, and savings banks called cajas, which are like UK building societies and generally used for saving larger sums of money.
To open an account you will need your passport or residence card and an NIE number (your foreigners' identification number, which can be obtained easily from your nearest police station in Spain or through your solicitor).
Cost of Living
With many things costing much less in southern Spain than the UK, spending time here is good for your bank balance as well as your state of mind.
Getting around
Public transport, taxis and petrol are all cheaper than in the UK. Expect to pay around 0.81€ a litre for unleaded petrol and 0.75€ for diesel. Taxis typically cost around 0.87€ per km.
Running your home
Utilities, such as electricity and water rates are generally lower than in the UK. The running costs of a Spanish home ranges from €2,000 to €4,500€. A three bedroom townhouse in the Ayamonte area would cost around €2000 per year for basic utilities.
Buying the groceries
You will certainly notice the difference in your weekly food bill. Fresh fruit and vegetables in particular are fantastic value at the markets.
Eating out
Prices vary from place to place, but expect to pay around €1 for a draught beer and €9 for a bottle of house wine. A meal out can cost anything from €7 each for three courses including wine, up to €150 each for a more extravagant meal.
Travel - Crossing the border
Passports to enter Spain are required for people of all nationalities but it is unlikely that you will be asked to show your Passport if driving from Portugal to Spain. As a safety precaution, always carry a photocopy of your passport with you so that the original passport can be left in a secure place at your hotel.
If you are a non-EU national you need to obtain an entry visa, unless the country of your origin has a reciprocal agreement with Spain.
Spain is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means that a visa issued by one Schengen country is valid for all member countries. With a Schengen visa, you may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen zone. If you plan to visit several Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country, which is your first point of entry.
At present, there are 15 Schengen countries, all in Europe. The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members. For more information about Schengen visa, visit; http://www.eurovisa.info/
Emergencies
The last thing you want to think about when buying property in Spain is what do do in an emergency.... but emergencies can happen and much better to know what to do or where to call should they happen to you.
Here is a list of emergency telephone numbers we would advise you to copy and stick on your fridge or put in your purse or wallet, just in case.
Don't expect Spanish emergency services to speak English. Try and telephone with a Spanish-speaker if you can. Otherwise, be patient, speak slowly and clearly and, if possible, work out a few basic sentences in Spanish. Whoever is at the other end of the telephone line will end up understanding you, but it may take a while.
If you require urgent police attention, ambulance, fire brigade etc. 112 (no area code)
If you want to report assault, robbery or accident to the police 902 102 112
Road accidents or information about weather and traffic congestion 900 123 505
British Consular Emergency Service for any emergency queries at any time of any day. Leave a message and someone will normally get back to you within one hour of your call. 91 524 97 00
General enquiries to the British Embassy 91 700 82 00 or 91 319 0200
Essential Phrases
Here are some of the first things you'll need to communicate quickly.
¿hay agua? (I AH-gwah) is there water?
¿hay lugar? (I loo-GAHR) is there room?
¿hay boletos? (I boh-LEH-tohs) are there tickets?
tengo frío (TEHN-goh FREE-oh) I am cold
tengo hambre (TEHN-goh AHM-bray) I am hungry tengo
sed (TEHN-goh sehd) I am thirsty
tengo calor (TEHN-goh kah-LOHR) I am hot
tengo 20 años (" BEHN-tay AHN-yohs) I am 20 years old
no tengo dinero (no TEHN-goh dee-NEH-roh) I don't have money
quiero comer (KYEH-roh KOH-mayr) I want to eat
quiero dormir (KYEH-roh dohr-MEER) I want to sleep
quiero pagar (KYEH-roh pah-GAHR) I want to pay
¿puedo comprar?(PWEH-doh kohm-PRAHR) can I buy?
¿puedo tomar? (PWEH-doh toh-MAHR) can I take?
¿puedo pagar? (PWEH-doh pah-GAHR) can I pay?
está frío (eh-STAH FREE-oh) it's cold
está caliente (eh-STAH kahl-YEHN-tay) it's hot
está bien (eh-STAH byehn) it's ok
está mal (eh-STAH mahl) it's bad, not good!
está lindo (eh-STAH LEEN-doh) it's nice, pretty
está sucio (eh-STAH soo-SYOH) it's dirty
está limpio (eh-STAH lihm-PYOH) it's clean
Telephones
In Spain you'll always get a full number and it has to be dialed even if you are making a local call. Numbers can be printed using the old prefix style 9X.XXX.XX.XX or with the new 9XX.XXX.XXX. Mobile numbers always start with "6" like 612.345.678
To make an international call just dial 00 + intl. prefix.
Mobile coverage is excellent in most parts of the country and there are three main companies: Movistar, Vodafone and Amena.
International calling cards are usually sold at press sellers.
Tipping and Etiquette
Tipping is a great tradition in Spain. While practically all establishments currently include a surcharge for service it is still common to leave something of a tip. This custom, common in bars and restaurants, has extended to hotel porters, theatre ushers and taxi drivers, though in none of these cases is it obligatory nor will anyone recriminate a client for not tipping.
Although the tip is not considered obligatory among many Spaniards, in reality waiters' and waitresses' wages remain very low, with many people having to work long hours in two different waitering jobs. Therefore tips are always welcomed!
Smoking
Smoking is commonplace amongst men and women in Spain and despite recent changes to the law, do not expect to find many non-smoking areas designated in bars and restaurants. Smoking is also common in fast food restaurants, shops and malls.
You probably won't get a polite answer if you ask someone to stop smoking a cigarette for whatever reason.
For smokers, this will not be a problem, but non-smokers may find this uncomfortable. Cigarettes and cigars are reasonably cheap, and at the moment average about €2 per packet.
