Working Abroad - Employment Advice In Spain

Jobs and employment on the Costa Blanca

The Council of Europe regulations forced Spain to end all restrictions on the free circulation of European Union workers as of January 1st, 1992 - which means that all EU citizens can work in Spain under the same conditions as Spaniards complete with employment contracts and employers contributions into the Spanish Social Security system on your behalf, giving both yourself and your dependants, access to the Spanish National Health Service. These rights extend even to family members who are non EU nationals.

For example, if a Briton working in Spain is married to, say - a US national, the non EU spouse will have full rights to residence and employment in Spain. In addition, children of foreign workers will have the same rights to trade school education and apprenticeship programmes run by the state as nationals of that State. All of these rights, and more, are set out in EU Regulation 1612/68, regarding the free circulation of workers within the European Union.

Article 5 of Title I of that Regulation also states that any EU foreigner looking for work in another EU country shall receive the same help from State employment offices as its nationals seeking work, they even mean that the foreign worker, should he/she lose his/her job in Spain for reasons beyond his/her control, providing they have paid sufficient sums into the Social Security system of the said State during their employment, can have access to unemployment payments - the Spanish dole, just like a Spanish worker.

If you are considering living permanently in Spain, you must register both yourself and any dependants with the local Police Station and obtain a NIE certificate (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjeros) - Foreigners Identification Number. This certificate should be carried on your person at all times, together with your passport or residents' permit.

Once you have this certificate, any EU national looking for employment should present himself to the nearest office of the INEM (Instituto Nacional de Empleo) - Unemployment Office, to register as a 'demandante de empleo' - unemployed. The only problem is - you must be able to speak at least a little Spanish as very few government departments will have an English translator on hand, and the staff will very quickly become short tempered with you if you expect to find employment with a Spanish company without at least being able to say good morning to the boss !

Once you have found employment, pay particular attention to your contract. Spanish companies are notorious for insisting that you are paid half in 'white' and half in 'black', which means only half of your salary is declared to the government saving the employer - not you - a large tax bill. Problems arise when you are not able to prove your earnings should you require a mortgage or a loan of any kind, or you loose your job and you find that insufficient funds have been paid into the Social Security System for you to draw unemployment benefit.

Should you be thinking of setting up your own business in Spain, don't expect things to be any clearer. You may have to battle through a lot of red tape to obtain the proper licenses and permits - even if you plan to work from home. Find yourself a 'gestor' - business advisor and don't try to do it yourself. The following is a guide of the steps you need to go through before you can sell your first 'widget' ! Not all of the items will be required in every case, but it gives you some idea of what's in store.

Title or degree - If you wish to practice medicine, architecture, gas fitter or any other business that requires a certain measure of safety, you must present your titles and certificates from the EU institutions you attended. If your titles are gained outside the EU they will have to undergo a lengthy verification process.

I.A.E (Impuesto de Actividades Economicas) - Business License or Tax on Economic Activities. This will need to be paid in advance and varies depending upon the type of business you intend to begin.

Registration with the Spanish Social Security as a trabajador autonomo - self employed person. It is illegal to work in Spain without paying into the Social Security system.

Licencia de Apertura - Opening License. If you plan to open business premises you will need this license from your local Ayuntamiento - Town Hall who will need to come along and make an inspection.

A written explanation (in Spanish, of course) of the activity you will carry out. Licenses are issued specifically to cover the specified activities and any diversifications will need to be re-submitted to the authorities - so make sure you include everything.

Title deed and lease contract for business premises.

If you are forming a limited company, the incorporation charter.

Any other permits relating to your special profession - such as a food handlers certificate should you be thinking of opening a restaurant.

For further information on this and other topics about living in Spain, visit Costa Blanca World.

Good Luck !

Karen Milacic is a graphic and web designer living as a British expat on the Costa Blanca for the past five years. Visit her other web sites at: http://www.villa-angels.com; http://www.thedesignbusiness.co.uk; http://www.costablanca- webhosting.com

---

If Youre Fired, Will Past Employers Keep Your Secret?

Despite what some job seekers think, it is not illegal... Read More

When All Is Not Well With Work

When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More

The Organized Job Search

Many people, under financial or other pressures to find work... Read More

Searching for Jobs Online

Searching for jobs online is easier than ever, but also... Read More

Job Search 101

The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at... Read More

How to Ask For a Salary Increase and Get Your Raise

Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you're starting to feel like... Read More

Interview Thank-You Letters

The number one etiquette tip for interviews is writing a... Read More

Personal Contacts: The Key to Successful Networking

When the word "networking" is used, we tend to think... Read More

Drive Your Career Change ? A Direct Approach

If your career has gone off the road, take control... Read More

What Recruiters Hate About Resumes And Cover Letters

Today, I'm going to share with you the awful truth... Read More

Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain

It isn't the end of the world, even if it... Read More

Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters

Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover... Read More

Job Hunting: Its Still The First Impression Stupid!

In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville... Read More

How Well Do You Manage Your Boss?

Are you in this situation? You and your boss just... Read More

Top Ten Reasons to Start A Catering Business

There is little doubt that Americans still have a deep... Read More

Counter-Offers: Do They Merit Consideration?

You are one of the fortunate few who have not... Read More

Five Biggest Resume Mistakes You Can Fix Yourself

A career consultant can diagnose and overhaul a troubled resume.... Read More

Work In Dubai

Dubai is home to an exciting, diverse, multi-cultural blend of... Read More

How To Write The Perfect Cover Letter: Be Brief--And Be Gone!

The best cover letters are 'one-page wonders.' Why? Because they... Read More

Importance Of Your Job Search

So that you can decide just how critical your job... Read More

Revitalize Your Recruiting for 2005

Happy New Year! The forecasts are in agreement: Hiring is... Read More

Get Off Your Butt and Out of the Rut

It's amazing to see so many people who are prepared... Read More

The Chicken or the Egg?

Even before I checked my calendar on Monday... Read More

Seriously Impress at Your Interview With These 7 Hot Tips

So you've managed to secure a job interview for a... Read More

Avoiding 10 Deadly Interview Mistakes

Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before... Read More

Dont Settle

Chuck was the best of the twenty-four candidates. Still, he... Read More

The Interview - A Few Tips for Making a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Book Summary: How to Work with Just About Anyone

This article is based on the following book:How... Read More

Age Discrimination is Alive and Unwelcome Here!

Common sense appears to be a rare commodity these days.... Read More

Why You Need To Be An Intrapreneur

When a client asks me if I think he or... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Putting Your Attention on What You Dont Want!

If I were to ask you the percentage of time... Read More

Change Your Career, Change Your Life!

Lots of times I see and talk to people who... Read More

Dissatisfied With Work? Perhaps Its You

Just about every month, there's a new research report detailing... Read More