So you've decided to move to Spain. If the level of income in Russia or another country from which you are moving does not allow you to live in Spain without working, then finding a job will become the most important issue, the solution of which will require a lot of effort. Getting a job in Spain is not so easy, but it is possible. Many people believe that foreigners can only apply for unskilled jobs, but this is not true.
In this article we will dwell in detail on the topic of finding a job in Spain.
Can a foreigner work in Spain?
According to Spanish law, you can legally work in Spain if you have received a residence permit with the right to work or are a family member of a Spaniard or European. Otherwise, you will not be registered with the social insurance service, and without this, concluding an employment contract with you will be impossible. “Without documents” you can only count on unskilled work, without any guarantees or length of service necessary to receive a pension in the future.
ᐈ Preparation of documents for a work visa
When working in Spain, obtaining a permit is a mandatory condition, and from 2021, a potential employee is also issued a residence permit.
A work permit is an official document that grants the right to work in another country without citizenship; it is used to obtain a work visa and legal employment. As a rule, it is issued by the employer, but it is also possible to obtain it independently according to the scenario: come to Spain with a Schengen visa or biometric passport, find a job, sign an agreement, obtain permission and return home to receive a visa.
Visas are divided into several types depending on the duration and scope of activity. For hired workers:
- — Type A – seasonal work and registration under a temporary employment contract;
- — Type B – validity period – up to 12 months if there is a contract;
- — Type C – extension of a type B visa with expansion of the professional scope of activity.
You will also need to prepare a small package of documents, the list of which includes:
- — Original and copies of internal and international passports
- — Passport-type photographs
- — Certificate of good conduct
- — Bank account statement
- — Medical certificate
- — A copy of the work and residence permit provided by the employer
Note! Documents MUST be translated into Spanish with an apostille.
And also be prepared for the fact that, due to the difficult economic situation in the country, difficulties may arise in obtaining a visa. Having recorded confirmation of your qualifications will help speed up the process, especially if the desired specialty is in short supply.
Is it possible to get a job in your specialty in Spain?
You are a certified doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, etc., you have been working in your specialty for a long time and successfully in your country, you are valued and respected for your professionalism. Unfortunately, in Spain your professional achievements are unlikely to be taken into account.
If you want to get a job in Spain in a specialty acquired in your country, you must first confirm your education, i.e. recognize the diploma received in Spain.
Not long ago, significant changes were made to the Spanish legislation regulating the recognition of foreign diplomas. A closed list of specialties was established for which diplomas can be homologated, i.e. recognized as identical to Spanish. For example, this is practiced in relation to medical diplomas. For specialties not included in this list, a diploma qualification procedure has been established, i.e. The Spanish Ministry of Education recognizes that you have a university degree in a certain field, but without specifying a specific specialty. Sometimes this is not enough to get hired in Spain, and in this case you have to study again and get a Spanish diploma. On our website you can find detailed information on the recognition of foreign diplomas in Spain.
After your diploma is recognized, you can safely go look for a job, but don’t expect a flurry of calls from potential employers. The economic crisis has left more than 4 million Spaniards unemployed, who will compete with you. Having a local diploma and fluency in Spanish will always work in their favor.
Job search sites
You can independently look for work in Spain through sites such as:
- https://www.infojobs.net/home/index.xhtml;
- https://www.oficinaempleo.com/;
- https://www.indeed.es/;
- https://www.monster.es/;
- https://www.empleate.gob.es/empleo/#/;
- https://www.infoempleo.com/;
- https://www.computrabajo.es/;
- https://homiefix.com/
To search for work on the above sites, you must speak Spanish.
Also, a large number of vacancies are published on social networks:
- https://www.xing.com/jobs/.
It is not recommended to look for a job through the Spanish labor exchange. But foreign residents on the exchange website can get acquainted with the most popular specialties in this republic. Website https://www.empleate.gob.es/empleo/#/.
Engineers, programmers and representatives of other technical specialties can find work on the following websites:
- https://www.tecnoempleo.com/,
- https://www.ticjob.es/eng/,
- https://www.ingenieros.es/bolsa_de_trabajo/buscar.
Students can find employment on this portal https://www.studentjob.es/. Managers and highly qualified workers should look for suitable vacancies at https://www.experteer.es/.
Doctors and other medical personnel will be able to find work on this portal https://www.pmfarma.es/empleo/. Jobs in the tourism sector are published on the website https://www.turijobs.com/.
Representatives of the educational sector should look for work on the portal https://empleoenturismo.com/es/, and workers in the hotel and restaurant business can find suitable vacancies on the website https://www.hosteleo.com/.
Is fluency in Spanish required to work in Spain?
We get asked this question quite often. Yes, it is mandatory to know the local language. The required level depends on the specific job. If in the course of your work you will frequently interact with the Spanish-speaking population, then fluency in Spanish is necessary. If you are going to work in Catalonia, Valencia or the Basque Country, you will also have to learn the local language - Catalan, Valencian or Basque.
The advantage of many of our compatriots is their knowledge of English and Russian; the majority of Spaniards have poor command of foreign languages.
Can a foreigner get a civil service job in Spain?
According to current legislation, a foreign citizen has the right to work in government agencies in Spain subject to the following conditions:
1. Only those foreigners who are spouses and children of Spanish citizens can be employed in positions with the status of “civil servant” (fucnionarios).
2. All foreigners can be hired for service positions if they have a residence permit with the right to work in Spain.
3. To obtain a job in the civil service, you must pass a difficult exam.
Exception: Only Spanish citizens can work in public authorities related to the security of Spain and in branches of the Bank of Spain.
Please note that in Spain, postal employees, school and university teachers, museum and library workers, as well as many other workers who are not civil servants in other countries, especially outside the European Union, have the status of civil servants.
Work in Spain for Russians
It is quite difficult for Russians to obtain a work visa in Spain - it is still necessary to remember that the unemployment rate in the kingdom is quite high, and obtaining a residence permit and even permanent residence in Spain by purchasing an apartment does not imply a work permit.
Only holders of EU country passports, as well as highly qualified workers - for example, representatives of the IT industry or holders of rare and especially in demand specialties (scientists, architects, doctors, etc.) can count on a quick search for a suitable and highly paid position.
One of the ways to legally and relatively quickly obtain a work permit in Spain is the so-called European Blue Card (Spanish: Tarjeta Azul). However, it is worth considering that the requirements for applicants for a “blue card” are quite high; in addition, these requirements apply not only to card applicants, but also to their potential employers. However, if you received a “blue card” earlier, in one of the other EU countries, with it you will be able to freely work and live in Spain, without additional “paper” delays.
What kind of work can Russians with less rare and sought-after specialties, for example, spouses of Spaniards who receive the right to work by default, expect to get? If, in addition to Russian, you speak Spanish and English quite well, you should try to find a job in the hospitality or education sector: multilingual salespeople, reception workers, nannies and governesses, guides, educators, etc. are always required here.
Where to post your resume to get a job in Spain?
Job searches in Spain are carried out mainly online. You post your resume on job search sites, sign up for vacancies and wait for a response letter from the employer. When applying for a position, it is very important to fill out a presentation where you briefly describe your strengths. The resume should not be very long; it should contain only factual information. You talk about your experience in a presentation letter.
Main job search sites:
www.infojobs.net
www.laboris.net
www.trabajando.es
www.milanuncios.com
At the same time as subscribing to vacancies on the websites, you can send your resume directly to potential employers or leave your resume directly at the company’s office. Searching for work through social networks is also gaining popularity. One of the recommended job search groups is “Work in Spain” www.facebook.com/JobYes.
How to find a job
To find a job in Spain, you can use the services of a recruiting agency, which helps you find the necessary vacancy and salary for the applicant. It is better to choose international recruitment agencies with a reputation. This way you will protect yourself from fraud. It is also worth mentioning that you will have to pay a considerable amount for cooperation with a recruiting agency, so initially it is better to try to find a place of employment in the Kingdom of Spain on your own.
Well-known recruiting agencies:
- Alta Gestion.
- FlexiPlan.
Is it really the easiest way to get a job as a nanny, cleaner, or fruit picker in Spain?
It is believed that it is quite easy for foreign women to find work in Spain as a cleaner, and for men as a fruit and vegetable picker. Yes, this is true, in this case there is no need to confirm education and many are hired “without documents”. However, this work is poorly paid, does not provide the right to free medical care and a pension, because, as a rule, an employment contract is not drawn up, especially if you do not have the legal right to work in Spain.
To work as a nanny, having a diploma as a medical worker or teacher is very important, but its recognition will not be required, because employers in this case are your compatriots.
Of course, getting a job in Spain in your specialty is more difficult, but it is not impossible. Many foreign doctors, engineers, teachers and other certified specialists work here. And although the process of recognizing a diploma, acquiring language knowledge and actually finding a job takes a lot of time, “the game is worth the candle.” You will be able to work in your favorite specialty and qualify for a much higher salary.
For any questions about working in Spain, you can contact the Center for Services for Business and Life in Spain “Spain in Russian”. Our employees will advise you on how to obtain a residence permit with the right to work in Spain, help you prepare documents for recognition of your diploma in Spain and select the necessary language courses.
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