Of course, it is not for nothing that you, like many other Dutch people, want to work in Spain. Perhaps you are still in doubt and asking yourself whether it is worth giving up your whole life here and emigrate to Spain. One thing we all know for sure is that Spain is a beautiful country. Many people say that life in Spain is like nowhere else. If you see Spain like this and have decided to work in Spain, we recommend that you read this article.
Why does everyone always want to live and work in Spain?
Which Dutch people don't know Spain? Almost everyone has been on holiday there at some point? To one of the big cities like Barcelona or Madrid? Or maybe you have visited the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca or the Canary Islands more often? And who hasn't fallen in love with the Spanish language, the local population and the Spanish culture during these holidays? In Spain they say, the sun always shines and that's why you will only find friendly people there. For many Dutch people, this Mediterranean lifestyle is attractive and that is why they still often choose to live and work in Spain.
Working abroad and the European Union
Spain, like the Netherlands, is one of the European countries that is a member of the European Union (EU). This makes it easy for residents of both countries to travel, work and live in the member states. To travel to Spain as a Dutch citizen, you only need a valid passport or ID card and you do not have to worry about special visa applications. This is because there is free movement of people in the EU. This free movement makes it a little easier for all of us. Do you want to live in Spain? Ditto. Do you want to work in Spain? Ditto. Of course, there are things you need to take into account, but as previously indicated, you only need a valid passport or ID card when traveling. You can live in Spain for up to 3 months without having to officially emigrate. Are you staying longer than 3 months? Then read on quickly.
Registering yourself in Spain
You need to apply for a 'tarjeta de residencia' if you want to stay in Spain for more than 3 months. You can register yourself at the local police. After completing the application, you will receive a green piece of paper. This piece of paper is exactly what you need, because this is your 'tarjeta de residencia'. With this you can prove that you are legally living in Spain. This contains your details such as your name, nationality and address. Your NIE number is also stated on this, because you will automatically receive this number when you apply for your 'tarjeta de residencia'. Do you want to receive your NIE number earlier? Then you must arrange this separately.
Registering with the municipality
For applications in Spain you always have to pay in advance. If you don't want this, your application will simply not be processed. In Spain, they call registering with the municipality 'empadronamiento' also called 'Padrón Municipal de Habitantes'. For this you need a valid passport or ID card, but also your rental or purchase contract of your home in Spain.
Your marital status
With this application you also have to prove your marital status. If you are married it is therefore important that you also bring your marriage certificate. If everything is complete and has been checked by the registrar you will often receive your 'certificado de empadronamiento' at the same time.
What is the Spanish NIE actually?
You've come across the word before in this article, but you probably still have no idea what it means. The 'NIE' or 'Número de Identification de Extranjero' is a Spanish identification number for foreigners in Spain. It is actually exactly like your Dutch BSN number, but then in Spain. You are required to apply for a NIE number for a stay of longer than 3 months. And whether it is required or not... without a NIE number you can't do anything, so you will ultimately be very happy with it.
Where can you apply for your NIE number?
You can apply for your NIE number at the 'Oficina de Extranjeros'. This is the government agency in Spain that arranges certain matters for foreigners. They have access to the central register in Spain, which also makes your registration easy. Abroad, this can often be disappointing. You do need to apply for this at an office in the province where you live. You can also submit the application at the police station. See what you find easier.
The Spanish labor market
The Spanish labour market is one of the most worrying in the European Union and has been since the economic crisis in 2008. Unemployment has fallen in the past year, but due to the corona crisis, not all figures have been included, which means that it is also possible that the unemployment figures have actually increased, but that this has not been included in the figures. Especially in tourist areas, for example, the figure for this will be a lot higher. It is good to know that it can sometimes be easier for foreigners to find a job there. Especially if you also speak a little Spanish.
Working in Spain: Finding a Job
In the largest cities of Spain there are not only Spanish companies, but also many international companies. And such an international company is often looking for international employees.
Online
The easiest way to find work in Spain is to look around online. There is a big chance that you will find interesting vacancies. Maybe you can even send an open application to that one company that appeals to you the most. You can look around and search for the right job for you via various job sites.
The Spanish language and the Spanish language
Some advertisements will be in Spanish. This is of course often the case with Spanish companies for vacancies in Spain. With international companies, chances are that English will suffice.
Social contacts
In addition to searching online for the latest vacancies, social contacts are also very important in Spain. People always know a friend, nephew or acquaintance of someone who is looking for an employee. Do you already have Spanish friends? Then you can ask them for tips.
Fun facts and tips
Spain is a large country and Spain looks different in every part of the country. If you want to live there, it is also important to look at where you are going to live. Look carefully at the different regions. It is true that you will have a better chance of finding a job in the larger cities. Yes, the beautiful beaches in the south are incredibly nice and Spain is a southern European country that, like most countries in the south of Europe, is flooded with tourists in the summer, but on the other hand, you may not have enough work in the winter. In the winter, of course, other destinations are popular for holidaymakers. Therefore, look carefully at the different possibilities and make sure you are well prepared.
The culture on the work floor
Spain is a very pleasant country to live in, but when you ask people about their experiences, they often say that you have to get used to the way the Spanish work. It is of course useful to delve into this when you have found a job in Spain, because you want to be well prepared to go to work.
Spain, a whole country
If you have visited different places in Spain more often, you know that there are actually many different cultures. Every Spaniard in Spain also finds this, because every region has its own culture. To give you an example: San Sebastian is in the Basque Country, Barcelona is in Catalonia and so you have Valencia for example. Oh, and don't forget Andalusia. And Galicia. Actually all provinces of the country. Madrid for example does have the real Spanish culture. It is all very complicated, but just look carefully at where you are going to work in Spain and prepare yourself for this.
What is it like to work in Spain?
As we have mentioned before, it is important to consider where you are going to live in Spain. In general, Spaniards love social life and Spaniards also love their free time. Especially in the south of the country. For example, the south is known to be quite complicated when you want to do business, because people want to take their time for everything. Maybe it is because of the many hours of sunshine.. who knows? In the hot south, you would rather lie on the beach, wouldn't you?
Hierarchy
Maybe you have had several jobs abroad. Maybe you have also had experience working in a company in Southern Europe. If you have, then you know that hierarchy is very important. Have you not done this before? Then it is important to read on.
In Spain, the boss is the boss. There is a clear hierarchy. In the Netherlands, poldering is very popular and giving your opinion is actually a 'must do', but in Spain this is not the case at all. The boss will not appreciate it when you, as a 'normal' employee, give your opinion about something. You are actually not asked for your opinion at all. It is also the case that colleagues often address each other by their last name. In many large cities, you now have somewhat hipper companies where it is often a matter of testing each other's limits. It is wise to take a good look around to see how colleagues interact with each other. For example, in Barcelona, do not make jokes about FC Barcelona too quickly if you do not know someone very well yet. This will not be appreciated.
Try speaking Spanish
The Spanish population is not known for having a high level of English. Their knowledge of the language often does not go beyond Spanish. In the larger cities it is increasingly common that people speak better English, but compared to, for example, Western or Northern European countries, their knowledge of the language is not very extensive. Furthermore, it is also the case that Spaniards simply prefer to do business in their own language.
Therefore, it is wise to take a small Spanish course before your move. Your business partners or colleagues will appreciate this enormously. If you do not speak Spanish, this does not necessarily have to be a problem, but it will give you some advantages.
Try to talk above all
In the Netherlands we are used to communicating via email. We find this faster and more effective. In Spain this is not the case. Therefore, you often do not expect a response to your email. When this happens, it is best to just pick up the phone and call. Spaniards like personal contact and would rather get to know you by talking to you.
Delicious food and drinks
Spaniards love good food and drink and this also plays a very important role in business. They also attach much more value to building personal relationships with their business partners and therefore often meet during lunch. This is the most important and most extensive meal of the day and this gives enough time to discuss everything and get to know each other. By discussing everything we do not mean the business points, but especially personal matters. The conversations will therefore often be about small talk, because it is mainly about being together and building a relationship.
As a Dutch person you have to be very patient with this, because we Dutch people often prefer to get to the point straight away. Just give the Spanish time, because they will only make important decisions when they have gotten to know you better.
The Spanish punctuality
As punctual as Germans are, Spaniards are not. Dutch people also like to be on time or, like Germans, a few minutes early, but Spaniards do not. They are often at least 15 minutes late. And this can often be even longer. It is also very important that when you have an appointment, you contact them a few days in advance. An appointment is not final until you confirm it a few days in advance. So pay close attention to this!
Social security
Social security in Spain is very well organised. For example, there are certain benefits for when you are sick or can no longer work at all. Public health care is also very well organised and is one of the best systems in the world.
Social Security
Every resident of Spain is required to insure themselves with the 'Seguridad Social'. This is the public health care in Spain. You can also be automatically insured if you have an income or pay premiums. You will also notice very little of the health care costs, because health care in Spain is paid for by premiums that are deducted from your salary.
How exactly does it work?
Your employer in Spain is obliged to register you. How much premium you have to pay depends on your income. If we take the average of the average salaries in Spain, the premium is approximately 4.7% of the annual income.
This system guarantees care for the entire population, so that everyone has the right to medical care. In Spain, this does not depend on your income or health insurer.
Are you a self-employed person?
If you do not have an employer, it means that you have to arrange your own health insurance. This means that you have to pay the premium yourself and this is not automatically deducted from your income.
Can you also take out private health insurance?
In Spain you can always choose to take out private health insurance. Some Spaniards have private insurance in addition to their Seguridad Social. This is because you can then go to private clinics, which means you will not have to deal with the waiting times for public care.
Pay attention to your dental insurance!
If you want dental insurance, you will need to take out a separate dental insurance in addition to your Seguridad Social. This will cost you around €20 per month.
International moving
Now that you know more or less what you need to pay attention to in Spain, it is of course also important that you do not forget another important thing. And that is finding a removal company. When moving abroad, you naturally want to take your belongings with you and you can easily outsource this to a removal company that has experience with removals abroad.
Request quotes
Do you want to know more about international moving companies in your area and do you want to know what the average costs of such a move to Spain are? Then it is best to request free quotes from different moving companies. The easiest way to do this is via Moova. Here you can easily request non-binding quotes. After filling in the form, which takes a maximum of 3 minutes, you only have to wait for the companies to contact you. After having viewed all the quotes at your leisure, you can then make your choice. How easy is that? During such a move, you already have enough on your mind!?
Finally..
As you have read, there are a few things you need to arrange before you go to Spain to work. In addition to arranging things, you have read that you also need to take the time to delve into certain matters. Think of the work culture, for example. The better you are prepared, the faster you will get used to your new life in Spain, because this way you will understand why people do some things differently in Spain. It is especially important to give yourself enough time to get used to life in a new country.
Do you have any questions?
We have tried to explain everything as clearly and concisely as possible in this article. Do you have any other questions regarding a move to Spain? Or would you like to know more about, for example, health insurance in Spain or applying for your NIE number? Then you can always take a look at the other articles on our website.
