Only in Spain! A tapas bar, tasca, to be exact, is where most of the working population spends their lunch break. This is the normal Spanish way of spending siesta (instead of actually sleeping in the afternoon). Before you can join the siestas, your first step to legally work in Spain is to obtain a work permit, Permiso de Trabajo. If you are a European Union passport holder, you are automatically allowed to work in Spain, although you may need to register with the local authorities. For non-European residents, it is best to secure a job before arriving in the country. It should be noted that Spain also has a fairly high unemployment rate, so securing a work visa can be tricky.
Though there is fierce competition and salaries are much lower compared to other EU nations, expats may still grab a slice of the job market by focusing on niche markets such as information technology or customer service or telesales requiring the ability to speak English and other European languages. If you are in luck, you may still find a job in the hotel or tourism industry, and if you are residing near the coastline you may find seasonal jobs in bars or beaches during the peak season when the influx of tourists is high.
Options become limited if you do not speak Spanish. Saying "No hablo Español" may get you through in Spain at first, but it is important that you learn at least Castelian (Español) and practice it whenever possible.
Contracts are important in Spain, though initially employers may provide just a 3 to 9 month contract, make sure that you will get a long-term contract once you finish your first year. It is illegal for employers to renew it with a second short-term contract. Contracts are written in Spanish, but you can have them translated.
Employers deduct monthly amounts for employee Social Security contributions for the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, Social Security General Treasury. Registering in the Spanish Social Security System is imperative in order to be entitled to a pension, unemployment benefits, sick pay, maternity pay and the right to receive free healthcare.
The standard working week is 40 hours and an uninterrupted rest of one and a half days (two days for minors) is obligatory, but may vary from one occupation to another. Spanish labor rules prescribe that daily working hours are limited to nine hours. It also prescribes a minimum of 12 hours rest between working days. Overtime, horas extraordinarias, is also restricted by law to 80 hours per year. There are 14 national holidays (two of which are established locally) and 30 paid vacation days is the legal minimum, unless otherwise established through collective bargaining.
The regionalist nature of Spain is one reason why cities have their own identity, adding to the country's cultural richness. It also explains the economic diversity of the country. This is instrumental in forming new industries and careers that will push Spain to be more globally competitive with the help of expats and new Spanish residents.
Many shops, especially the smaller ones, still practice the traditional business hours of Spain from 10am to 2pm, opening again from 5pm until 8 or 9pm. Perhaps due to the economic change, business owners are now being more flexible by extending their opening hours or staying open through lunchtime. With more flexible times, banking transactions have become easier.
Banks normally open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm, but some extend their hours to 5pm on Thursdays or open on Saturday mornings.
Spain now recognizes the need to be competitive in the global arena, after its status as a global power diminished. And despite the economic turmoil that greatly affected the country and the whole world, Spain's optimism and acceptance of change, as well as passion for a happy life, keeps it as a top expat destination.
More Expat Resources
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