Are foreigners needed in Spain and how can one find a job?

Introduction

The question on the minds of many considering a move to Spain is: does the country really need a new influx of professionals from abroad? Spain has undergone severe economic trials in recent years, especially during the pandemic, when severe restrictions and lockdowns occurred.

Economic recovery

Nevertheless, starting from the middle of 2022, the country's economy began to noticeably recover. This recovery was made possible by an increased flow of tourists and the normalization of trade relations. According to the European Commission, in the third quarter of 2023, Spain showed a growth in gross domestic product of1.8%which is significantly higher than in most other European countries.

Attractiveness for foreign specialists

This positive economic backdrop once again makes Spain attractive to investors and those looking to change their place of residence. If you have expertise in a sought-after field, your chances of finding a decent job significantly increase. This article aims to clarify the challenges that may arise for those who want to find work in Spain.

The demand for foreign specialists

Now it is worth considering whether there is a real need for foreign specialists in the Spanish labor market. As of October 2023, approximately2.68 millionforeign workers employed in various fields. The main migrant flows came from countries such as Morocco, Colombia and Venezuela.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Spain still faces high levels of unemployment; in August 2023, this figure was11.5%and among young people, the number is higher than20%Therefore,the problem of unemploymentremains relevant, and the labor market does not have a significant number of job vacancies. According to Eurostat, in September 2023, there were only144 thousandavailable jobs.

Available options

Despite this, there is a demand for highly qualified foreign specialists in Spain. This is confirmed by recent changes in legislation:

• Inin 2022The government has taken steps to simplify the process of recognizing degrees from foreign universities.
• In spring2023Migrants who have been in the country for at least two years and are willing to undergo training courses have been granted access to obtaining a residence permit.

So, opportunities for successful employment in Spain are still available, but as with any field, there are some aspects to keep in mind.

Where to look for a job

When it comes to job searching in Spain, it's important to consider that the highest number of job openings are located in major cities, such asMadrid,ValenciaandBarcelonaIf you are interested in seasonal work, such as harvesting, you should pay attention to the southern regions of the country, for example,Marbella.

Now let's find out which resources can help you in your job search.

Useful resources

First of all, we recommend you to pay attention to several online platforms:

• State Employment Service of Spain— a key center where you can find information about current job vacancies and learn about training conditions and legal aspects of employment.
• Labor exchange— offers a wide range of job vacancies, thereby increasing your chances of successful employment.

Conclusion

This information may be useful if you are looking to realize your career plans in sunny Spain, where new opportunities and prospects await you. Don't miss the chance to take the first step towards your dream and start a new stage of your life!

The process of registration and resume creation is already available on many online resources; however, some Russian users may need a VPN to access them. One of the most useful resources is the official employment bureau Learn4Good, where you can find a variety of job vacancies worldwide, as well as educational materials related to language certificates, immigration issues, and many other areas.

Popular resources for job searching in Spanish.

If we talk about popular resources for job searching in Spanish, it's worth paying attention to the following platforms:

• InfoJobs
• Laboris.net
• InfoEmpleo
• Trabajos.com
• Trabajo.org
• Milanuncios
• Expansion
• Indeed
• Xpatjobs
• ThinkSpain

For Russian-speaking users, there are also specialized sites such as Eurograduate, which allows graduates to find suitable jobs in Europe. And if you are involved in information technology, you should pay attention to Tecnoempleo and Ticjob, where there are many offers in this field.

Additional job search methods

In addition to online platforms, it's important not to forget other ways to search for a job. Local print publications, such as El País or El Mundo, can be a valuable source of job listings. Building personal connections and communicating with friends and acquaintances can also help uncover suitable opportunities. You might also consider sending your resume to large companies like Gas Natural Fenosa, Repsol YPF, Telefónica, BBVA, Iberdrola, or Grupo ACS. Spanish recruitment agencies, such as Flexi Plan and Adecco, offer additional employment opportunities.

Subscription to real estate channels

To get the latest news about the real estate market abroad, it's useful to subscribe to specialized channels on Telegram. This helps you stay updated on the latest events and changes.

Conditions of employment in Spain

When it comes to searching for a job abroad, including in Spain, it is important to consider the requirements for foreign citizens. Like in other European countries, a successful job search in Spain requires competing not only with locals but also with citizens from other European Union countries. Your chances of employment may depend on several factors:

• If the proposed salaryturned out to be low compared to the expectations of local applicants, or the working conditions do not satisfy the candidates.
• The employer was unable to find a suitable candidate.in a localized environment.
• Your profession falls under the category of in-demand specialties.This simplifies the process of obtaining a work permit, as the employer does not need to justify to the local authorities the necessity of hiring you.

It is important to note that since 2022, Spanish employers have had the opportunity to hire employees from non-EU countries for temporary positions that are difficult to fill. Competition among applicants from their own country or from other European countries is not mandatory.

Knowledge of the language

A key factor in finding a job in Spain is language proficiency. In many cases, the ability to speak Spanish confidently is required. However, there are professions where language skills may not be crucial. For example, for harvesters, cleaners, and laborers, high language skills are not necessary. Additionally, for IT specialists in international companies, knowledge of English is often sufficient. In any case, basic knowledge of Spanish will be useful for everyday communication.

Signing of the employment contract

Before signing the employment contract, the employer will have to convince the local authorities that you are an indispensable specialist for the company and that it is your work experience that is needed to fulfill the working conditions. This is a crucial step towards your successful employment in Spain.

After your application is approved by the immigration department and employment services of Spain, the employment contract is signed. Then, the employer sends the documents to the local office of the Ministry of Labor to obtain a work permit. For this, you need to gather the necessary papers, including an application, a diploma of higher education, certificates of additional training, photocopies of your passport, and photographs. Depending on your preferences and the duration of work, there are different categories of permits.

Short-term work permit

The first option is a short-term permit, which is perfect for seasonal or temporary work. Its maximum validity period is one year. This category also includes subtype B, which is granted for nine months and has certain specific features in the application process.

Special permissions

The second type of permit implies activity only in one specific profession, and in a specific geographical area or with a specific employer. It can be valid for up to one year, renewable for two years.

Universal permissions

In addition, there are more universal permits that grant the right to work throughout Spain for two years. These documents are issued only after the expiration of the first category permit.

Permanent work permit

As for the permanent work permit, it can be issued after the expiration of the temporary permit category C. This type of permit has no expiration date, but it must be renewed every five years for foreign nationals.

EU Blue Card

It is also worth paying attention to obtainingblue card of the EUwhich combines the rights to work and residence permit. This card provides access to free movement within the countries of the European Union and offers a number of advantages to its holder. Typically, blue cards are granted to highly qualified individuals. In Spain, they are issued for a period of one year with the possibility of further extension.

Processing times

The time required for processing usually takes about three months. After that, you should submit a request for a work visa to the Spanish consulate in your country within 30 days.

Important points

• The type of visa depends on the previously issued work permit.
• The entire process can take from one to three months.
• It is recommended not to leave the country while waiting, as there may be calls for an interview at the consulate.
• The validity of the visa can range from 91 days to five years.

Applying for a work visa in Spain

In order to apply for a work visa to Spain, you need to collect and submit a certain set of documents to the consulate. First of all, you will need a valid passport with copies of all its pages, as well as a foreign passport, which must be valid for at least four months.

In addition, you will need three photographs that meet the established visa standards.

Blue Card of the European Union

The issue of the European Union Blue Card and how to obtain it is of considerable interest to many. Today there is a sharp increase in demand for professionals with various qualifications.

Specialists with higher education

This particularly applies to the category of people with higher education. There is a significant demand in Spain for:

• medical workers,
• graduate engineers, especially in the fields of architecture and construction,
• IT specialists.

Vacancies for the following are equally relevant:

• senior executives,
• bank employees,
• financial experts.

Shortage of highly specialized personnel

Moreover, there is a noticeable shortage of specialists with narrow expertise and practical experience in the labor market. This category includes:

• cooks,
• builders,
• mechanics,
• drivers and movers.

There is also a shortage of:

• junior medical staff,
• nurses and nannies,
• experts in the field of laboratory research,
• operators on production lines,
• engineers.

In the service sector, there is high demand for:

• guides,
• beauty professionals, such as hairdressers, manicurists, and cosmetologists.

Work without a special education

It is worth noting that there is a demand for workers without specialized education in the Spanish labor market. Such professions include:

• waiters,
• kitchen workers,
• warehouse staff,
• cleaners,
• movers
• maids,
• call center operators,
• harvest workers.

The salary level in these fields is quite low. However, the number of job vacancies is significant, as the local population often avoids doing this work.

Salary level

As for the salary segment, the average income in Spain is projected to be around in 2024.2720 euros per monthAs of now, the minimum wage set in 2023 is1260 euros per monthThe Spanish government plans to increase it by5%In 2024, what will it consist of?1323 euros(before taxation).

In turn, experts working in high-paying positions can earn more10,000 eurosMonthly. The salary amount depends on the employee's qualifications and the region they live in.

Trends in the labor market

Labor market trends indicate that a significant number of citizens in Spain work in the informal sector while simultaneously receiving unemployment benefits, which are recorded at a certain level.70%from the minimum wage. Notably, experienced workers, especially those older55 years old...can earn one and a half to two times more than younger employees. Additionally, men typically have an average income that is...30%higher than women.

Regional differences in wages

The highest salaries are recorded in regions such as:

• Basque Country,
• Madrid,
• Barcelona,
• Valencia,
• Navarre.

On the contrary, residents of the Canary Islands, Murcia, and Extremadura receive significantly lower pay.

High-paying professions

According to recent studies, the highest-paying professions in the country are:

• surgeons,
• judges,

The income before tax deductions can reach around10,000 eurosper month.

The average income in different employment sectors in Spain (in €/month) covers the following professions:

Accounting and Finance:

• Accountant— 1430 euros
• Economist— 3940 euros
• Financial analyst— 3510 euros

Administrative positions:

• Secretary— 1440 euros
• Receptionist- 1520 euros
• Office manager— 2560 euros

Advertising and graphic design:

• Photographer— 1690 euros
• Graphic designer— 1880 euros
• Art Director- 2730 euros

Architectural field:

• CAD specialist— 1570 euros
• Architect— 3380 euros

Automotive Mechanics:

• Mechanic— 1160 euros
• Service Consultant- 1980 euros.

Linguistics:

• Foreign language teacher— 2250 euros
• Translator- 2620 euros

Information technology:

• Computer Engineering Specialist— 2200 euros
• Programmer- 2760 euros
• IT manager— 4640 euros

When looking for a job abroad, it's important to remember that many job postings indicate gross salary, which refers to the amount before taxes are deducted. To calculate the exact amount of net salary, you can use a special calculator that will help determine how much you will take home.

Tax system

In Spain, a progressive tax model is being implemented, which means that the higher the income, the higher the tax rate. The personal income tax ranges from 19% to 47% depending on the level of earnings. The highest tax rate applies to incomes exceeding 300,000 euros per year. However, there are various ways to reduce the taxable base.

For example, one can take advantage of a personal discount, which averages 5,500 euros for citizens under 65, and increases to 6,700 euros for those over 65. Additionally, taxes may be reduced for families with children, dependents, as well as for disabled individuals and their relatives. There are also tax benefits for those renting, buying, or renovating housing. Tax burdens can also be reduced by contributing to social programs, participating in pension schemes, and making charitable donations or investing in cultural institutions.

Social benefits

In the Spanish healthcare system, funding comes from social security contributions. The state fund provides payments such as pensions, unemployment benefits, as well as compensation for illness and childcare. Employers contribute approximately one-third of each employee's salary to this fund, while employees pay about 6.5% of their salary.

As for medical care, all legal residents of Spain have access to free healthcare. To do this, it is necessary to obtain an individual health card (tarjeta sanitaria individual, TSI), which can be requested at social security offices in the area of residence. With this card, citizens have the opportunity to purchase medications at a significant discount, ranging from 10% to 100%, and unemployed individuals can receive medications for free.

Conclusion: Immersion in the Spanish Labor Reality

To conclude our analysis of whether foreigners are needed in Spain, I would like to emphasize that despite the difficult unemployment situation, the Spanish economy is opening its doors to qualified professionals. While discussing all of the above aspects, I realize that in order to successfully find a job in this country, you need to be prepared for certain challenges.

1. Study the job market

First of all, it is important to thoroughly study the job market and determine in which areas your qualifications may be in demand. In the current conditions, the key is a combination of specialized knowledge and the ability to adapt to new circumstances. As I mentioned before, there is a particular need for specialists in the following fields in Spain:

• Information technology
• Healthcare
• Agriculture

These fields open up numerous opportunities.

2. Language barrier

Secondly, it is essential not only to be prepared for language barriers but also to passionately study the Spanish language, which will become your key to successful integration into the professional environment. I understand that this may seem challenging, but knowing the language will open up additional opportunities for you. Having basic communication skills in Spanish will help in many work situations, and you will be able to interact more easily with colleagues and clients.

3. legal aspects of employment

Finally, it is important to remember the legal aspects of employment. Obtaining a work permit and types of visas are steps that need to be taken to avoid any issues. Pay attention to the latest changes in legislation that may simplify the process. Spain continues to evolve and adapt to the demands of the times, which also means that some aspects of financial and legal support, such as taxes and social benefits, may change. I strongly recommend keeping an eye on these changes to stay informed about the current information.

Result

Ultimately, life and work in Spain can offer incredible opportunities if approached with understanding and a willingness to act. Individual success depends on many factors, so persistence, determination, and preparedness will be your faithful allies on this journey. And once you experience the taste of life in sunny Spain, you'll realize that it is indeed a place where you can come to pursue your dreams.