working in

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S PA I N
AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES
Andalucía
Aragón
Asturias
Baleares
Canarias
Cantabria
Castilla-La Mancha
Castilla y León
Cataluña
Extremadura
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Galicia
Madrid
Murcia
Navarra
País Vasco
La Rioja
Valencia
Ciudad Autónoma de Ceuta
Ciudad Autónoma de Melilla
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1
Although this brochure has been elaborated with the utmost care, the National Public Employment
Service - INEM (EURES) will not accept any responsibility derived from the use of this information
Esta publicación ha sido realizada con ayuda de los Fondos de la Comisión Europea,
edición realizada por el Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (INEM).
Condesa de Venadito, 9
NIPO: 215-07-102-1
Depósito Legal: M. 52.124-2007
Elaboración: Red EURES - ESPAÑA
Impresión: Sociedad Anónima de Fotocomposición
TABLE OF
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
2.
Free Movement of Workers ............................................................
3. Labour Market ...............................................................................
4.
Finding Work in Spain ...................................................................
5.
Social Security, Health and Unemployment Benefits ........................
6.
Taxes ............................................................................................
7. Living Conditions ...........................................................................
8.
Employment ..................................................................................
9.
Accommodation ............................................................................
10.
The Spanish Education System .......................................................
11.
Equivalence of Certificates and Diplomas
in the Common European Economic Area ......................................
12. Culture ..........................................................................................
13.
Legal Assistance ............................................................................
14.
Useful Telephone Numbers and Addresses ......................................
15.
Don’t Forget .................................................................................
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27
30
36
38
44
47
50
51
59
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Introduction ...................................................................................
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1.
1
INTRODUCTION
The new European Union, where almost 480 million people live, is the biggest
labour and training market in the world. It is also an area in which the obstacles
that stop people reaching their full potential are slowly disappearing.
Some countries in the EU have set up transition periods of varying lengths (but never
more than seven years) until the free circulation of workers is fully implemented. In
the case of Spain, a two year transition period has been applied for workers from
Rumania and Bulgaria, the last two countries to join the E.U.
To make it possible to have the free circulation of workers in the so-called European
Economic Space (EES), the EU has created the EURES network of European public
employment services, of which the Spanish public employment services are part;
they have promoted the publication of this information guide.
To work in another country is always a challenge, a unique opportunity to get to
know a country and its people and to encounter a great number of new experiences. This guide is designed to give anyone who wants to live and work in Spain
an idea about life in this country. Our intention is that this information should help
you when you are making decisions, and, if you finally decide to come to Spain,
help you prepare for your stay here.
1.1.
Some Information on the Country
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Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula in the south-west of Europe and shares
this peninsula with Portugal. Its total area is 504,750 km2. Apart from the mainland, it includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands
in the Atlantic Ocean and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in the north of Africa. It
is the third largest country in Europe in terms of area and the fifth largest in terms
of population.
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Official Name: Kingdom of Spain, common name: Spain.
Spain is a country with a mild climate and abundant sunshine, but there are
significant variations in the weather. The northern coastal strip, which includes
the autonomous communities of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque
Country, forms one climate zone, where there are large amounts of rain, mild
summers and relatively cold winters. To the south of this coastal strip is the
inland area, which has a continental climate. Finally, in the rest of the coastal
regions, especially in Andalusia and the East, the winters tend to be warmer
and the summers hot.
Spain has a population of 45,116,894. Currently, there are 4,482,568 foreigners
registered as living here, which is almost 9.9% of the population. In recent years,
there has been a very large increase in the number of foreigners arriving and becoming legal residents and it is calculated that the number of foreign residents has
multiplied by four since 1998.
Almost 60% of these foreigners are distributed among the Communities of
Madrid, Catalonia and Valencia. This shows that they tend to go to the big cities, like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, to live and work. Another 22.1% lives
in Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. The west and north
of the peninsula are the regions where there is the smallest number of foreign
residents.
The Spanish state is a parliamentary monarchy. The legislative power is based
on a Parliament (Las Cortes), which is divided into two houses; the Congress of
Deputies and the Senate. Spain has a President and a Head of State, the King.
Spain is an “State of Autonomies”, and is made up of 17 Autonomous Communities: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla-La
Mancha, Castilla y León, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Extremadura,
Galicia, the Balearic Islands, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre and the Basque
Country. Each of these communities has its own parliament and president, so
we can say that the organisation of political power in Spain is characterised by
decentralisation.
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Language
Spain has enormous cultural diversity and this is reflected in the number of languages spoken in the country. The official language for the whole country is Spanish or
castellano; however, in many autonomous communities this language coexists with
other official languages, such as Basque (euskera), Catalan, Galician (gallego) and
Valencian, which are found in those respective geographical areas. Without being
official, other minority vernacular languages are spoken such as bable or Asturian,
Leonese, Aragonese and aranés, a sub-dialect of Gascon.
It is very difficult to find work in Spain if you only speak English, German or
French, except for casual employment in some tourist enclaves on the islands or
on the coast.
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Money
The monetary unit currently in circulation is the euro.
To import and export local money a declaration must be made, if the amount is
over 6,000 euros (the exported amount may not, however, exceed the amount
declared on arrival in the country). Unlimited sums of foreign money may be
imported and exported, but they must be declared on arrival if the amount is
over 6.000 euros per person and trip in order to avoid customs problems when
leaving Spain.
Time
The Peninsula and Balearic Islands: GMT + 1
Canary Islands: GMT.
International telephone calls
If you want to make a telephone call to Spain from abroad, you must dial the exit
code of the country from which you are calling plus 34 (the code for Spain) plus
the number, which will have 9 digits.
If you want to call another country from Spain, you need to dial 00 followed by
the country code and the telephone number.
112 is the one number to dial for all emergency services.
In some communities, calls may be attended to in more than one language but, be
in any case, the emergency services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Emergency services
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You can make phone calls from telephone boxes. They work with either coins or
cards. If you want to make a call within Spain, you dial the number without any
kind of prefix. The number will always have nine digits, whether it is a landline or
a mobile phone. The mobile phone technology used in Spain is GSM, which is not
compatible with some countries such as the United States or Japan. If your technology is compatible with GSM, you should contact the operator in your country to
find out if you can use your mobile phone in Spain (Some operators will activate
an international service for you - “roaming”.). Once you have taken these steps in
your country of origin, all you need to do is to use your mobile phone as if your
phone were Spanish. In other words, to make international calls you need to dial
00 + the country code.
Other telephone numbers of interest are:
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National police:
Local police:
Ambulance:
Fire services:
8
091
092
061
080
2
FREE MOVEMENT OF WORKERS
EU citizens may travel, live and work freely in any member country and have the
same rights as the nationals of the country chosen. This right to free circulation
also extends to their family members, whatever their nationality, but with specific
requirements.
Therefore, as a national of an EES member state, you have access to any work in
Spain, either to be employed by another person or be self-employed, without needing to apply for a work permit, and you have the same rights as Spanish nationals to
salaries, working conditions, access to homes, professional training, social security
and trade union membership, with some specific exceptions that are recognised in
the Treaty of the European Union on access to jobs in the Civil Service.
To enter Spain it is only necessary to show your identity document or current
passport. You can stay for three months to look for work or to set up on your own
account. If after three months you still have not found a job, you have the right
to remain longer if you continue to look for work and really have a possibility of
finding it.
More information and the downloadable registration form can be found at:
http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/extranje/regimen_comunitario/estancia_residencia.html
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Within three months of entering Spain, you must apply at the Foreigners’ Office
(Oficina de Extranjería) or at a police station to be registered in the Central
Register of Foreigners (Registro Central de Extranjeros). To do this, you need to
present your valid passport or identity card and pay a fee. The office will give you
a certificate of registration with your “NIE” number (foreigner ID number). This
process has replaced the former community resident card application.
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Documentation needed
Foreigners who are connected with Spain for economic, professional or social reasons need to have a unique, exclusive, personal number called a NIE (foreigner
ID number). This number is obtained automatically on registering with the Central
Register of Foreigners but it can also be applied for separately. More information
and the application form can be found at:
http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/extranje/regimen_comunitario/nie.html
Other useful procedures
Everyone who lives in Spain is obliged to register with the municipality where he or
she lives. This registration (empadronamiento) is required for many administrative
procedures, such as registering your children in school, obtaining a health card,
registering with the Employment Office and voting in municipal elections.
Another indispensable document if you decide to live in Spain is a NIF number
(tax ID number). This can be obtained at the Tax Office (see the corresponding
section).
See also the section about Social Security for information about obtaining a Social
Security number and a health card.
Family members of community citizens
Residence Card
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The family members of a community citizen “who do not have the nationality of
a member state may reside in Spain for more than three months”. To be able to
do this, they must obtain a “residence card for a family member of an EU citizen”
from a Foreigners’ Office within three months of their entry into Spain. The office
will immediately give them a receipt that serves to prove that their status is legal
until the card arrives.
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3
LABOUR MARKET
During 2006 the Spanish economy exhibited more balanced growth, as GNP rose
by 3.9%. Along with the growth in activity came a significant increase in the creation of employment, although it was mostly temporary. The entry of immigrants
and women into the Spanish labour market has been decisive for the strong growth
in employment in recent years.
The statistical information provided by the EPA (Active Population Survey) shows
that the creation of employment is continuing and that there is a decrease in unemployment. The unemployment rate for the first quarter of 2007 was 8.47%, with
unemployment for men at 6.32% and for women at 11.39%. Also, the activity
rate has risen to 58.58%.
The Autonomous Communities with the lowest rates of unemployment are Navarre,
Aragon, Madrid and Catalonia and those with the highest unemployment rates
are Andalusia, Extremadura and Galicia. The highest activity rates are recorded in
Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
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The Spanish labour market does present some imbalance, however, including large
numbers of temporary contracts, a high work-related accident rate, a large proportion of unqualified workers and an unfavourable situation for women, young people
and immigrants.
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Among the economic sectors, CONSTRUCTION grew less strongly. The PRIMARY
sector (agriculture and fishing) declined because of the rise in fuel prices and the
bad weather. INDUSTRIAL activity, however, grew slightly, although the car and
textile manufacturing sub-sectors have felt the increase in foreign competition. The
SERVICES sector, on the other hand, grew positively due to the favourable situation
of telecommunications and tourism.
Qualified employment
Infoempleo 2006, the report that analyses jobs on offer that require qualifications,
notes that the Autonomous Communities of Madrid and Catalonia are the areas
where the greater part of these offers are located (39%), although this concentration is now being diluted in favour of other Autonomous Communities. This trend
therefore shows increasing diversity in Spain’s current economic activity.
Where these job offers require a diploma, the demand continues to be for technical
degrees (architects and technical and advanced level engineers), 47.6%. In second
place come degrees in the legal and social areas. Scientific-health diplomas have
experienced an increase in demand, mainly for medicine and pharmacy graduates.
One feature to note is that qualified employment affects a larger number of sectors.
Employment opportunities
According to data from the SPEE (State Public Employment Service) Occupational
Observatory, the best opportunities for employment are for:
– Agricultural labourers
– Qualified construction workers
– Mechanics and welders
– Bread and cake bakers and confectionery makers
– Lorry drivers
– Salespersons
– Cooks and waiters
– Domestic personnel
The offers managed by the EURES Network in Spain include:
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– Specialist doctors and nurses
– Tourist entertainment organisers and hotel and restaurant workers in general
– Qualified construction professionals
– Qualified workers in the areas of metallurgy, mechanical fabrication and electronic equipment
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4
FINDING WORK IN SPAIN
In spite of the continuing decrease in the unemployment rate in recent years, finding
work in Spain is not an easy task. To do so, all available resources should be used
(acquaintances, family members, the press, information centres and professional
associations, etc.) as well as the EURES network and a good dose of imagination
and creativity.
It should also be remembered that speaking Spanish is essential for working in
Spain.
The main systems for job seeking are:
Public employment services
The national public employment service (INEM) and the regional services of the
autonomous communities have a network of offices and all workers can use their
services.
The addresses can be found in the telephone directory or on the INEM web site,
which has a link to the public employment services of the autonomous communities. Some of these services offer information about job offers on their web site.
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Services offered: professional counselling, occupational and professional training,
obtaining unemployment benefits and information on measures to promote employment.
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Those over sixteen years of age can register at the public employment services by
presenting their valid identity document or passport, if they have a fixed address.
To enter professions that require a diploma its will be necessary to fulfil the requirements for exercising this profession in Spain.
Many have information and useful addresses for finding work as well as job seeking guides. To find the web sites of the employment services in the autonomous
communities, see the Useful Addresses section of this guide.
http://www.inem.es
Recently, the public employment services have created a national web site where
job offers from all over Spain can be consulted:
http://www.sistemanacionalempleo.es
EURES (European Employment Services)
EURES (European Employment Services) is a network for cooperation between the
European Commission, the national employment services of the member states,
Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland and, in the case of frontier areas,
organisations that represent social interlocutors.
It will be useful to contact the EURES network in your own country. Ask at your
public employment service. They will give you information on job offers in Spain
and other information of interest to help you decide on or develop your project
for mobility.
EURES has an Internet portal on which you can find information on mobility and
a database of job offers in member countries, as well as an application for putting
your curriculum on-line. Access to this information is possible through
http://eures.europa.eu
Placement agencies, recruitment companies and temporary
work agencies
There are also companies that specialize in human resources selection that normally
use the press and the Internet as a way to find candidates.
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Placement agencies are another intermediary in the Spanish labour market. They
are non-profit organizations and are authorised by the labour administration. Their
use may not be free; you pay only the cost of their expenses. The autonomous
community employment services will give you information about these organisations
and the services that you can obtain from them.
Temporary work agencies, always denoted with the initials E.T.T., contract workers directly and then sign an availability contract with the user company delegating
the management and control of the worker to that company. These agencies are
especially useful when looking for temporary employment.
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Communications media
All the Spanish national, regional and local newspapers have a daily employment
section although more employment offers are published in the Sunday papers.
Public television also has special employment programmes. One well known
programme is “There’s Work Here“ (Aquí Hay Trabajo), which is broadcast
from Monday to Friday at nine in the morning on channel two (RTVE).
Some of the national newspapers are EI País, ABC, EI Mundo and La Razón from
Madrid, and EI Periódico and La Vanguardia from Barcelona. They all have a special
employment supplement in their Sunday editions.
Newspapers in German, English and French are published in the main tourist areas
of Spain. They offer listings of job offers where a knowledge of foreign languages
is usually an indispensable requisite.
The international press tends to publish job offers for Spain although these are most
often directed at managers or technical and professional people.
The professional journals and newspapers available in the EES can be a useful
source of information about work in Spain, especially if they have a specialised job
offer section. There are a number of Spanish publications that specialise in work
and job offers:
El Mundo
http://www.elmundo.es
El País
http://www.elpais.es
ABC
http://www.abc.es
La Razón
http://www.larazon.es
El Periódico
http://www.elperiodico.es
La Vanguardia
http://www.lavanguardia.es
Buscamedios
http://www.buscamedios.com
https://www.camaras.org
http://www.camerdata.es/ (files on companies)
http://www.vue.es/ “One-stop business desk“. Processes for creating companies
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The chambers of commerce in your country of origin and in Spain are also possible
sources of information on the Spanish economy and companies. The following
are particularly interesting sources for getting help on becoming a self employed
worker:
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Chambers of Commerce
Associations, Professional Associations and Trade Unions
Other sources of information are professional associations and trade unions. Some
professions in Spain have an official association in which it is necessary to be registered in order to exercise this profession.
Self Promotion and Personal Contacts
Another possible method that can be used to find a job is spontaneous candidature.
In this case, a candidate sends a letter of introduction accompanied by a CV to
various companies that, because of their type of activity, could be interested in his
or her profile, even though at that moment they may not have a selection process
open.
Contacts and personal relationships are also very useful for finding jobs if you
have friends and family in Spain. It is a good idea to tell them that you are
looking for work since many vacancies are filled through personal contacts and
referrals.
CVs and Letters of Introduction
Some companies ask you to use an application form but it is more usual to send
in a CV and letter of introduction to apply for a job. This can be done in reply to
an offer or an advertisement in the press or applications can even be presented
spontaneously.
Curriculum Vitae: There are no strict rules for creating a CV but we can give you
some advice. It must be structured, clear and concise and be word processed on
a computer. Preferably it should be a maximum of two pages in DINA4 format.
It is not necessary to send a photograph with your application although for some
positions it can be advisable. Do not attach diplomas and certificates unless this
is required; these can be taken to the interview. Use direct language and simple
phrases and avoid acronyms and abbreviations.
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Letters of introduction: This is not just a formality: it is your visiting card and the
first impression that the company gets of you. Unless it is indicated to the contrary,
the letter and the CV must be written in Spanish. Use a computer to write the
letter in A4 format on one page. Use concise, formal language. The letter must
be directly relevant to the position that you are applying for. Avoid standardised,
“boilerplate“ letters.
Structure:
– Personal information: name, nationality, complete address, telephone number
(with international prefix), e-mail address, etc.
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– Education and Training: include all academic education and complementary
training. It is advisable to include a separate section for language and computer training when applying for positions where these may be evaluated. For
education, indicate only the title of the highest degree that you have reached,
together with the name of the institution, its address and the date when your
studies ended.
– Experience: This should be listed in chronological order or reverse chronological order by professional area. Mention companies, professions, dates and
main tasks accomplished.
– Other information: This is an optional, open-ended section that can be used
for including other information that could be useful when doing the job; for
example, if you have a driving license or are willing to travel. It is not usual to
include references although in this section one can use the formula, “references
will be given on request”.
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Model CVs and advice on creating them can be found on most of the web sites of
the public employment services in Spain.
5
SOCIAL SECURITY,
HEALTH AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Social Security
The social security administration in Spain is made up of a number of public bodies
and organizations charged with guaranteeing Spanish citizens and, if appropriate,
foreign residents in this country all the welfare, health and economic benefits available.
The management of the Spanish Social Security system is the responsibility of,
among others, three public bodies belonging to the Ministry of Labour and Social
Affairs: the National Social Security Institute, the General Treasury of the Social
Security and the Social Marine Institute (ISM).
These regulations apply to the following Social Security benefits: sickness and
maternity (health care, temporary disability and maternity), disability, retirement,
survival, work-related accident and occupational disease pensions, death, unemployment and family benefits.
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For Social Security matters, Community regulations are applied to nationals of
member states of the European Union or of the European Economic Space,
whether they are employed by others or self employed, who have been subject to
the legislation of one or several of these states. Included are students, civil servants
and stateless persons or refugees who have lived in one of the member states as
well as their family members and survivors. Because of an agreement between the
European Union and Switzerland on the free circulation of people, it also applies
to Swiss nationals.
Health
The quality of health care in Spain is quite good. The number of public hospitals
belonging to the Social security Institute is equal to the number of private ones. The
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basic healthcare network of the Spanish Social Security is organised around primary care centres, which are called “Health Centres”, specialised care centres and
hospitals. Spain has reciprocal healthcare agreements with a number of countries
(among them the countries of the European Union). The citizens of these countries
need to apply for a European Health Card in their own country to be able to use
the public medical services in Spain.
The regional governments organise health care through the public health services
as part of the national health system. You can ask for lists of hospitals and health
centres at the local offices.
Treatment is free under the public social security system. If special treatment
is required, the doctor sends the patient to a specialist with an official report.
Medicines are prescribed by the doctor on an official prescription form and the
patient must pay 40% of their cost. Some medications are not covered by Social
Security.
Treatment in hospitals is free within the social security system. Patients also have
the right to obtain certain services, such as prostheses, orthopaedic items, transfusions etc., free of charge when necessary.
All workers who are employed by another person must register with and pay
monthly contributions to the Social Security through their employer. Self employed
workers pay directly into the system. You will be given a Social Security card that
gives you the right to free hospital care and medical help.
Private health insurance can also be contracted from one of many private medical
societies in Spain. They are listed in the telephone directory as “Medical Societies”. In this case, the cost of treatment is not refunded except in certain cases of
emergency.
Addresses of Interest
Web site: Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs
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– Office of Administrative Information and Service to Citizens: This information
can be requested in person, in writing or by telephone from: P.º del Prado
18-20 (planta baja) 28014, Madrid. Tel.: 915-961-089 / 90 / 91 - Fax:
915-964-480.
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http://www.msc.es
Links to the Health Departments in the Autonomous
Communities
Community/city/department/council.
– Basque Country Health Department:
http://www.euskadi.net/sanidad/indice_c.htm
– Catalan Health Service:
www.gencat.net/catsalut
– Galicia Health Dept.:
http://www.xunta.es/conselle/csss/index.htm
– Andalusia Health Dept.:
http://www.csalud.junta-andalucia.es/principal
– Asturias Health Dept. and Health Services:
http://www.princast.es
– Cantabria Health, Consumer Affairs and Welfare Dept.:
www.csanidadcantabria.com/sanidad2/index.html
– La Rioja Health and Social Services Council:
http://www.larioja.org/
– Region of Murcia Health and Consumer Affairs Council:
http://www.carm.es/csan/
– Valencian Community Health Council:
http:///www.san.gva.es/
– Aragon Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare Department:
http://www.portal.aragob.es
– Canary Islands Health and Consumer Affairs Council:
http://www.gobcan.es/sanidad/
– Region of Navarre Department of Health:
http://www.cfnavarra.es/Salud/
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– Castilla-La Mancha Health Council:
http://www.jccm.es/sanidad/prog.htm
– Extremadura Health and Consumer Affairs Council:
http://www.juntaex.es/consejerias/syc/home.html
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– Balearic Islands Health and Consumer Affairs Council:
http//:web2.caib.es
– Community of Madrid Health Council:
http://www.madrid.org/sanidad/home.htm
– Castilla y León Health and Social Welfare Council:
http://www.jcyl.es
– City of Ceuta Health and Consumer Affairs Council:
http://www.ciceuta.es/consejerias/marcosconsej.htm
Unemployment Benefits
In Spain workers who are employed by others (except for civil servants and those
who do not pay contributions for unemployment, such as domestic employees) are
compulsorily insured against loss of employment. The contributions for this coverage are made by the employer, the worker and the state.
The Spanish unemployment benefits system has two levels of coverage:
Contribution Level Benefits
All workers employed by others who have contributed to the Social Security for
more than 360 days and have completely or partially lost their job against their will
are entitled to receive unemployment benefits at the contributory level.
Welfare Level Benefits and Allowances
Workers who are legally unemployed and registered with the Public Employment
Services and who are not entitled to contributive benefits or whose benefits have
run out can request an allowance or an unemployment welfare benefit if they meet
any of the conditions for specific special groups (low income, family responsibilities,
being over 52 years of age, etc.).
If you are receiving benefits or an allowance for unemployment in your country or
any other country in the EES, you can transfer them to Spain or to another member
country for a maximum of three months in order to seek employment:
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Exporting / Transferring Unemployment Benefits
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The Spanish system of unemployment benefits is managed by SPEE-INEM. If you lose
your job while you are in Spain, contact your local SPEE office. They will give you information on your entitlement to unemployment benefits and how to apply for them.
Before leaving it is necessary to:
– Be available to the public unemployment service in the country of origin for
at least four weeks
– Request a form E-303 and inform the office of the actual date of departure
On arriving in Spain it is necessary to
1. Register as a job seeker with the Spanish Public Employment Service (INEM)
office nearest to your home in Spain within seven days of leaving the country
of origin.
2. Apply for the export/transferring of your unemployment benefits. To do this
you need:
– Passport or ID card
– Official application form for benefits
– Form E-303 proving your entitlement to benefits.
Remember that the process can take up to two months. For further information
see the INEM website and download the official application form:
http://www.inem.es
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Finally, if you work in Spain, it is a good idea before you leave this country to
ask the national Public Employment Service Office for form E-301. This form
will show the periods during which you have contributed in our country so that
they can be taken into account when calculating other benefits in another EES
country.
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6
TAXES
One of the most important things to do after arriving in the country is to register with the national tax office. Remember to bring with you the necessary tax
documents from your country of origin and the certificates of having completed all
pending tax affairs before leaving. On arrival do not forget that it can be necessary
to open a bank account and remember to keep enough money to be able to pay
your taxes.
Direct taxes
Individual Income Tax (IRPF)
This is a personal, direct tax on individual income that varies according to personal
and family circumstances.
What does the IRPF understand by income? All returns, gains and losses on
assets, independent of the place where this occurs and of the contributor’s residence.
What is taxed? Only the available income of the contributor, which is the result of
subtracting the personal and family minimum from the total income.
To determine this period, sporadic absences will be counted, except when the
contributor proves his tax residence is in another country.
b) When, directly or indirectly, the main nucleus or base of the individual’s
activities or economic interests is in Spain.
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a) When the individual remains in Spain for more than 183 days in a calendar
year.
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Who is obliged to pay taxes? Individuals who have their normal residence in Spain.
It is understood that the contributor has his normal residence in this country:
c) It is presumed, unless proved to the contrary, that the contributor is normally
resident in Spain when, according to the previous criteria, his or her spouse
from whom he or she is not separated and their under-age dependent
children normally reside in Spain.
Who is NOT obliged to declare? Contributors whose entire income from work
comes from one payer and is less than 22,000 euros per annum.
When are income tax declarations made? This tax is declared in the months
of May and June of the following year. Not presenting it or doing this outside the
established time limit causes sanctions to imposed, as for other taxes.
Special tax scheme for NON-resident income tax for certain IRPF contributors.
Individuals who make Spain their residence for tax purposes as a result of moving to Spain for reasons of work can opt to pay Non-Resident Income Tax but
they will still be IRPF contributors.
Exercising the option to pay Non-Resident Income Tax must be requested within
a maximum of six months after beginning the activity that is registered with the
Social Security in Spain or, if appropriate, in the documentation that permits the
worker to remain permanently in this country.
Member states of the European Union have reciprocal tax agreements (Double
Taxation Agreements or CDI) in order to avoid double taxation on the income of
people who travel and work in different countries of the EU.
Companies tax
Whether these taxes are imposed is decided by residence in Spain. Companies are
considered resident if they fulfil the following requirements:
– They were created in accordance with Spanish law
– Their address is in Spain
– Their real headquarters is in Spain
Asset tax
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This is a progressive tax on the ownership by individuals of goods and rights that
have economic value, if they are over the minimum exempted amount. This tax is
declared at the same time as income tax.
Tax on inheritance and donations
This is a tax on acquiring goods and rights, either by being the successor to it
(Inheritance) or are receiving free title “inter vivos” (Donations).
http://www.agenciatributaria.es
24
Indirect taxes
Value Added Tax (IVA)
VAT or IVA is a tax on the delivery of goods or performance of services by business
people and professionals and on the importing of goods, apart from certain legally
established exemptions. The rates applied vary from 4% for goods considered to
be necessities to the normal rate of 16%.
Tax on Asset Transfers and Documented Legal Actions
This is a tax on the transfer “inter vivos” of assets and rights with an onerous economic
value as well as on documents for legal actions that have been formalized or have a
legal effect in Spain. The applicable rate varies according to the type of asset transfer or
the legal action documented (notarised, mercantile, administrative or judicial actions).
Special Taxes
Unlike VAT, which taxes consumption generally, these taxes are for the consumption
of particular goods. Currently these taxes are levied on hydrocarbons, alcohol and
derived drinks, wine and fermented beverages, beer, tobacco etc. Another tax that
you should keep in mind if you have a car is the special tax on particular means
of transport, which taxes the registration of cars, boats and airplanes. New or used
means of transport on which this tax must be paid must be registered in Spain when
they are going to be used on Spanish soil by persons or entities resident in Spain.
Also there are other national taxes such as the tax on insurance premiums and
those related to the import and export of goods; in other words, duties on external
commerce, which follow the regulations of the European Union.
Local taxes
Property Tax
This tax, known as IBI, is levied on the ownership of property.
Mechanical Vehicle Tax
This tax (IVTM) is levied on the ownership of mechanical vehicles that are suitable
for use on the public highways.
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This tax is levied on the exercise of any business, professional or artistic activity.
WORKING IN
Tax on Economic Activities
Tax on Construction, Installations and Worksites
This tax is levied on any construction, installation or worksite project for which a
town planning license is required.
Tax on the Rise in Value of Urban Land
This tax is levied on the increase in value of urban land that occurs when property
is transferred.
http://www.aeat.es
Ministry of Economy and Treasury
http://www.meh.es
C/Guzmán El Bueno 139, 3.ª plta.
E - 28003 Madrid
Tel. (00 34) 91- 545-07-09, (0034) 91-582-67-67
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National Tax Agency
http://www.agenciatributaria.es
C/Infanta de las Mercedes, 37
28080 Madrid
Tel. (0034) 91-583-70-00
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7
LIVING CONDITIONS
In general terms we can say that living conditions in Spain are acceptable and that
the population enjoys indispensable social services such as universal, free health
and education.
In recent years the price of housing has risen considerably. This has made housing
costs the greatest family expense: in 2006 housing accounted for over 50% of the
total family budget.
So that you can have an idea of the general cost of living in Spain, we have selected
the prices of some commonly used articles. Logically, prices can vary according the
shop in which they are purchased and the geographical region.
Lodgings
Rent for a two bedroom flat:
Rent for a three bedroom flat:
500-900 €/mes
700-1,200 €/mes
The most expensive cities are Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastian. The cheapest
are Pontevedra, Badajoz and Lugo.
Household expenses
10.50 €/month.
22.41 €/month
49.00 €/month.
16.00 €/month.
Some of these services are billed every two months.
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Water:
Electricity:
Telephone:
Gas:
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Average household expenses according to the Institute of Statistics:
Transport
Bus/Metro: Single ticket: 1 €
A 10 trip “metro-bus” ticket costs 6.40 €.
A card permitting unlimited travel for a month on the metro, city buses and local
trains (RENFE) costs 40.45 € (data for Madrid).
95 octane unleaded petrol:
98 octrane unleaded petrol:
Deisel A:
0.942 €/litre
1.042 €/litre
0.881 €/litre
Supermarket products
Milk (1 litre):
Bread (400 gr.):
Eggs (dozen):
Sugar (1 kg):
Apples (1 kg.):
Water (1.5 litres):
0.70 €
0.90 €
1.60 €
1€
1.80 € (Spanish golden delicious)
0.40 €
Leisure
Cinema ticket:
Soft drink:
Coffee:
Beer (1/2 litre):
Hamburger + chips + soft drink:
Menu of the day
From 9 €
1 day 73.16 € (mid-range car)
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Car rental
Hotels
Single room in ** hotel: 70 €
Single room in *** hotel: 100 €
28
6 € (Madrid)
2.10 €
1.10 €
1.80 €
5.55 €
Miscellaneous
Local or regional newspaper:
Aspirin (1 box of 20 tablets):
1€
3.20 €
Minimum Wage for 2007
570.60 € gross/month
19.02 € gross/day
7,988.40 € gross/year
Date information was obtained: 30/1/07
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Currency: Euro (€)
8
EMPLOYMENT
Working Conditions
Nationals of member countries of the European Economic Space and Switzerland
have the same rights as Spaniards for salaries, working conditions, training, Social
Security, trade union membership, social and tax advantages, etc.
In Spain, the minimum working age is sixteen although minors under the age of
eighteen, except when they are emancipated, need the authorisation of their parents or guardians.
a) Duration
All work contracts can be indefinite (permanent) or have a specific duration (temporary). If the contract does not expressly say anything to the contrary, it is presumed
that it is permanent and fulltime.
b) Types of contract
2. Fixed term contracts (temporary): Temporary contracts can be made in the
following cases:
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1. Permanent Contracts: A working relationship is agreed without establishing
the time limit. It can be formalised in words (a verbal contract) or in writing and
be fulltime or part time.
– Contracts for a particular task or service: To carry out one specific task or
service that is either limited in time or of uncertain length. If it is for less than a
year, to rescind the contract fifteen days notice must be given. If the employer
does not give this notice, the worker is entitled to compensation.
30
– Casual contracts due to production circumstances: This contract has the
aim of responding to special market situations, an accumulation of tasks or an
excess of orders. The maximum length of this contract is six months within a
period of twelve months.
– Interim contracts: To substitute for a worker who is entitled to return to that
position. The contract must specify the worker substituted and the reason for
the substitution.
Training contracts are also temporary:
– Training contracts: With this type of contract, workers receive technical and
practical training that allows them to learn a profession or trade. They can
be signed with workers under 21 years of age who do not have the required
diploma to be able to sign a work experience contract. Some groups can also
be contracted for training when they are over the age limit. This contract may
not last for less than six months or for longer than two years.
– Work experience contracts: With this type of contract, workers acquire the
professional experience corresponding to their studies. They can be signed
with workers who have a university degree or professional training diploma or
the equivalent if it has not been more than four years since the end of their
studies or since they were validated in Spain. The limit of this contract is six
years for disabled workers.
3. Other types.
– Contracts for working in private households and part time contracts:
These contracts can either be permanent or for a definite period of time. In
both cases, they must be made in writing and show the place where the services
will be performed and the length of the working day.
c) Formalising Contracts
Work contracts can either be verbal or in writing although in Spain most are written. If the contract is verbal, the parties can require at any time during the validity
of the contract that it be formalised in writing.
The following types of contracts must always be in writing:
• Training.
• Contracts for a particular task or service.
• Part time contracts.
• Permanent sporadic contracts.
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• Work experience.
• Substitution.
• Work in private households.
• Contracts signed with workers contracted in Spain to work for Spanish companies abroad
• Contracts for a specific amount of time that is longer than four weeks.
In all cases the employer is obliged to inform the corresponding employment office
of the written or verbal contract.
d) Probationary period
Contracts can set a period of probation during which either party can end the
contract without having to give a reason, without having to give notice and without
compensation. The maximum length of time permitted for this is six months for
technicians with diplomas and two months for all other workers (three months in
companies with less than 25 workers).
During the probationary period, workers have the same rights and obligations as
the workers on the payroll and this period is counted when calculating time spent
working at a company (length of service).
e) Workdays, holidays and leave
The maximum length of the normal working day is 40 hours per week of average,
effective work calculated annually.
The number of normal working hours can never be more than nine a day, unless
there is a collective agreement or an agreement between the company and the
workers’ representatives that establishes a different distribution of daily work. In
all cases the rest time between workdays must be respected (a minimum of twelve
hours) and the weekly rest time (an uninterrupted day and a half).
Annual holidays can be agreed individually or collectively; their annual length may
not be less than 30 calendar days, i.e., including Saturdays and Sundays.
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Workers under the age of eighteen cannot do effective work for more than eight
hours a day, including, if appropriate, the hours dedicated to training and, if they
are working for various employers, the hours worked for each one of them.
There are also twelve national holidays and two local holidays per year.
Workers are also entitled to fifteen days off for marriage, and sixteen uninterrupted
weeks for maternity, adoption or foster care. The father can take off part of this
period if both parents work.
32
f) Wages
Wages are established by collective agreement or by individual contract and are
comprised of:
• Basic wage
• Salary bonuses: for length of service overtime, worker’s share of benefits,
extras for distance and transport, etc.
• Job bonuses: hardship, toxicity, danger, shift work, night work, etc.
• Production bonuses, upkeep, lodgings, etc.
Payment must be made at least once a month and it is the employer who withholds
taxes and Social Security from the workers’ wages.
One peculiar aspect of wages in Spain is that the worker is entitled annually to at
least two extraordinary pay cheques, normally one for Christmas and the other in
summer. They can also be prorated monthly if this is agreed in a collective agreement.
The government sets the minimum wage (S.M.I.) annually. This is the minimum
amount below which it is illegal to contract a worker.
In 2007, the minimum wage for any activity in agriculture, industry or the service
was set at 19.02 euros per day or 570.60 euros per month, with no discrimination for sex or age. The annual amount including bonuses could not be less than
7,988.40 euros for a full legal working day. For those working less than a full day
the wages are reduced in proportion to the time worked.
Female and male domestic employees who work by the hour receive a minimum
of 4.47 euros per hour worked, including the proportion for extraordinary bonuses
and holidays.
Up to date information on the minimum wage can be obtained at:
http://www.tt.mtas.es/periodico/laboral/200612/LAB20061229.htm
For information on wages, see:
g) Ending the working relationship
Work contracts can be terminated due to:
• Mutual agreement between the two sides.
33
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http://www.tusalario.es/
• Reasons validly expressed in the contract.
• End of the time agreed or of the task or service that was the object of the
contract.
• Resignation of the worker.
• Death, retirement or permanent, total or absolute disability on the part of the
worker or the employer.
• Circumstances beyond anyone’s control.
• Dismissal.
• At the request of the worker, with a justified reason.
• Legally binding, objective reasons.
If the contract is terminated or the worker is dismissed, the employer must notify
the worker of the end of the working relationship in sufficient time (give him notice).
This period can be between fifteen and 30 days depending on the type and length
of the labour relationship.
For contracts that have a specific length, except for interim and training contracts, the worker is entitled to compensation of eight days’ salary for each year
of service.
If the cause is dismissal on the decision of the employer, based on the fact that the
worker has not fulfilled his or her obligations, the worker must be notified in writing
with the reasons and the date on which this takes effect.
If the worker does not agree with the decision, he must present a demand for
reconciliation within twenty working days at the Mediation, Arbitration and Reconciliation unit of his autonomous community, prior to pursuing it with the Social
Court.
Self employed workers
• Register the start of activity with the census at the Tax Office (form 036):
http://www.aeat.es
http://www.minhac.es
• Register for Social Security at the Social Security Offices:
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If you wish to set up as a self employed worker in Spain to carry out an economic
activity on your own account, you must be over eighteen years of age and fulfil a
series of formalities:
http://www.seg-social.es
• Register with the appropriate professional association when this is required
to exercise your profession.
34
If you wish to start a company, the process can be somewhat complicated if you
are not familiar with the Spanish civil service as various national, regional and local administrations are involved. You can get guidance and information from the
“one-stop business desk“ of the Chambers of Commerce. They do not carry out
any administrative procedures but the information that they give is excellent. You
can consult the following web sites:
http://www.vue.es
http://www.camaras.org
http://www.ventanillaempresarial.org
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If you prefer the help of a private professional who will do all the paperwork for
you, go to a Gestoría (an office specializing in doing official paperwork for individuals and companies).
9
ACCOMMODATION
Renting: If you want to rent a flat during your stay in Spain, it is advisable to go to
an estate agency or to consult the classified advertisements in the newspaper. You
will find estate agencies listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory:
http://www.paginasamarillas.es
There are also several web sites that can help you to find accommodation, such
as:
http://www.fotocasa.es
http://www.tucasa.com
http://www.idealista.com
http://www.globaliza.com
http://www.expocasa.com
http://www.portae.com
The local press also includes advertisements of flats for rent and in many cities there
are free newspapers listing property for sale and rent.
The renter must put down a deposit in cash equivalent to one month’s rent. In
almost all blocks of flats, expenses and community services such as the doorman,
cleaning, garden, swimming pool, etc. are shared among the neighbours. You will
have to check your rent contract to see whether these expenses are included.
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It is necessary to sign a rental contract with the owner. The rental contract may be
in any form, including verbal, but it is advisable to have a written contract. An official
contract form exists that you can buy in any estanco (shop where tobacco is sold).
Temporary Accommodation
Those who are interested can go to a tourist office, which can give you a list of
available temporary accommodation.
36
The Institute for Youth has cooperation agreements with town councils to offer
homes for short term rent to young people under 30 years of age who have a low
income and have moved from their normal home for reasons of work or study or
to participate in events, cultural activities, sporting activities, etc. These homes can
be newly built or rehabilitated homes in the old part of the town.
http://www.injuve.mtas.es
http://www.emancipacionjoven.es/empleajoven/vivienda
Buying property: At the present time, many estate agencies in the EES are involved in buying Spanish properties. In Spain you can go to a local estate agency.
You can also ask information about buying property in Spain at the Foundation
Institute of Foreign Owners.
If you want to find out about current market prices for new housing, the Evaluation
Society makes a massive study of the market to analyse new developments of free
market housing that are being constructed in all the provincial capitals.
Some autonomous communities have a service called the Young People’s Home
Exchange, where you can obtain general information about renting, buying and
selling property, specialised legal information, press releases on houses for rent and
shared rooms and, in particular, a list of flats to rent for young people at prices
lower than the market rates because of an agreement with the owners. You can
find more information on these services for young people from the autonomous
communities.
Foundation Institute of Foreign Owners
(Fundación Instituto de Propietarios Extranjeros)
Tel. 965-842-312 Fax: 965-841-589
e-mail: ifpo@ctv.es
http://www.c-euro.org
Evaluation Society
http://www.st-tasacion.es/
WORKING IN
INJUVE. Service of Programmes for Different Sectors.
Tel. 913-637-593 Fax: 914-022-194
E-mail: viviendaempleo@mtas.es
http://www.injuve.mtas.es
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Yellow pages:
http://www.paginasamarillas.es/
10
THE SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
The Spanish education system has recently been modified by the Organic Law on
Education (LOE), which is being progressively implemented throughout 2007.
In Spain primary and secondary education are compulsory and free. This education
goes from six to sixteen years of age and is offered in public education centres or
state assisted and private schools (private schools are not free).
Powers over education have been transferred to the autonomous communities. In
some autonomous communities the teaching is in both Spanish and the vernacular
language spoken there.
Registration: In general, applications start in April and there is a special period in
September for intermediate and advanced level training courses. Registration takes
place in June or July, according to the educational level. For extraordinary applications made in September, registration also takes place in this month.
School calendar: There can be differences between the different communities,
although school starts in the middle of September and ends in the month of June,
with holidays for Christmas, Easter and summer.
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Nursery education: Is organized in two stages. The first is voluntary and the second,
from three to six years of age, is free.
Basic education: Is made up of primary education and E.S.O or compulsory
secondary education. It is free, compulsory and organised according to the
principles of common education and attention to diversity. Evaluation is continuous.
• Primary education: Runs for six years, normally from the age of six to
twelve. Teaching is focused on the Spanish language, mathematics and foreign
languages.
38
• Secondary education: There are two stages, compulsory (E.S.O.) and postcompulsory (when students can choose between Bachillerato, intermediate
level Professional Training (F.P.) or intermediate level education in the plastic
arts and design and sport).
Compulsory secondary education: (E.S.O.). This stage lasts for four years,
normally between the ages of 12 and 16. After the third year, students start to
specialize, following the technological, scientific or humanities tracks, which
will later define their selection of specific subjects for the bachillerato (arts,
science or humanities). Whatever the track chosen, in the end the students can
choose between Bachillerato or intermediate level Professional Training.
There is a possibility for students over the age of sixteen, and exceptionally
for those over fifteen, who do not wish to follow the tracks described above
to take Initial Qualifying Professional Programmes (P.C.P.I.). These programmes last for two years and students are awarded a Compulsory Secondary Education diploma and an standardized certificate.
Bachillerato: Bachillerato lasts for two years and has three tracks, Arts,
Science and Technology, and Humanities and Social Sciences. The title
of bachiller allows students to go on to higher education. To get this title,
they must pass all the subjects and the General Bachillerato Exam, which
is externally administered. The exam includes a common section, a specific
section for each subject and a foreign language test. Students who do not
pass the exam but have passed all the subjects in Bachillerato are awarded
a certificate for use in employment that allows them to take a test and go on
to intermediate level Professional Training.
Higher education: This is made up of university education, higher education for
the arts, advanced level professional training or advanced level education in the
plastic arts and design and sport.
• University: To enter university it is necessary to pass an entrance test. There
is a university in almost every city in Spain.
• Professional Training: No academic requirements are necessary to enter,
only an entrance test (to go on to the intermediate level for those over seventeen years of age and to the advanced level for those over nineteen years
of age, or eighteen if they have a diploma in this speciality.
The main advantage of e-learning is the autonomy given to the students and the
personalized monitoring by a teacher. The content can be accessed from anywhere
and there is a flexible timetable that fits the needs of each student. The only require39
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Professional training: e-learning
WORKING IN
Special education: languages, art and sports are included in this category.
ment is to have an Internet connection and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint,
Access and Excel) in order to do the work.
Once they have passed all the professional modules –and exceptionally with a
module pending– the students take classroom courses for the professional module
of Work Centre Training (F.C.T.). Those who have proven work experience related
to the professional studies that they are taking are exempted from these courses.
The entry requirements and the number of hours are the same as for the classroom
study option.
Pre-registration and registration open in September.
University
University studies will be organized into three levels, as established by the agreements resulting from the construction of the European Higher Education Space
(EEES). These three levels correspond to three types of university qualification that
will be called Graduate, Master and Doctor.
To promote mobility in the Higher Education Space, efforts will be made so that
students can spend at least one semester of their Graduate studies at a foreign
university.
The Degree of Graduate
These studies will have a common area within each branch of knowledge and at
least 60 credits must be taken, giving priority to studies with a strong content of
practical activities. It will be possible for students to modify their original choice of
study according to the vocational training and experience acquired during this first
period. 240 credits will be taken to make entry to work easier. Taking 120 ECTS
(European Credit Transfer System) credits will lead to the Certificate of Initial University Studies (CEUI). The Graduate course will end with the writing and defence
of a final paper by each student.
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The Degree of Master
The degree of Master will require between 60 and 120 ECTS credits. The Master
will end with the writing and public oral defence of a final project or paper by each
student. As well as the degree, the European Supplement will be awarded, which
will list the training received by the student.
Students can enter this level if they have a diploma or a Graduate degree awarded
by the competent authorities in countries within the European Higher Education
Space or the equivalent in third countries. Among the professional fields to which
40
these studies are directed is research, and therefore the Master can be part of the
training for receiving the degree of Doctor.
In exceptional circumstances, and only in the case of professions regulated by or
related to European Parliament and Council Directive 2005/36/EC concerning
the recognition of professional qualifications, the title of Master will be linked to
its own directives.
The Degree of Doctor
In accordance with the proposal from the European Framework for Qualifications,
no time limit in terms of either years or ECTS credits is set for becoming a Doctor.
A reasonable time for obtaining this degree is considered to be 3 or 4 years of fulltime study. The Doctorate Programme, which will be approved by the university,
will include a period of training and a period of research.
The European Supplement will be awarded with the degree corresponding to the
Doctorate Programme.
Also, students can be admitted who have a degree at the Master’s level from any
country in the European Higher Education Space or the equivalent from a third
party country. All these different methods of entry must be recognized by the university in the Doctorate Programme. Bilateral agreements between the states for the
automatic recognition of levels will be promoted so as to facilitate the movement
of students at this level.
More information related with universities can be found at:
http://www.mec.es/universidades/index.html
http://www.universia.es
Continous training
Continous training: These are courses for employed workers given by companies,
workers and trade union organisations that are intended to improve the abilities and
qualifications of the workers.
41
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Vocational training: These are courses for unemployed people who are registered
as job seekers with the Public Employment Services. Information can be obtained
from the Services. Training is free.
WORKING IN
Continous training offers a wide range of activities from occupational training
and continuing training to the teaching of languages, business schools, distance
learning, makeup classes or preparation to enter regulated education as a social
guarantee.
Certificates of Professionalism are awarded for the professional abilities acquired
during professional and continuing training, training and employment programs,
learning and training contracts, work experience and other informal methods of
education.
http://www.inem.es
Foreign education centres in Spain
Centres exist in Spain that teach non university level courses corresponding to
the educational systems of other countries. Information can be obtained through
educational organisations in your country or its embassy.
At certain educational centres it is also possible to follow courses of study that allow
you to get a dual title (academic titles from both countries), for example, under the
cooperation agreement between the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and
the British Council (MCDE- British Council Agreement).
Useful addresses
– National Association of British Schools: information on the centres and their
locations:
http://www.nabss.ort/introesp.htm
– The European School (Alicante): follows the study plan of European schools
from pre/school to secondary education.
http://www.eursc.eu/
Spanish for foreigners
The Cervantes Institute teaches Spanish at its centres, organises exams in Spain
to get the DELE (Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language), which is an official
title giving the level of competence and fluency in Spanish and is awarded by the
Ministry of Education and Science. You can get information on Spanish courses for
foreigners in Spain, the various centres and their location at:
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WORKING IN
Classes are given by both private and public bodies. Information can be obtained at
your local Official Language School or from the Ministry of Education.
http://www.cervantes.es
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Spanish Education System (LOE)
11
EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS IN
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
We must distinguish between two types of recognition: recognition of a diploma
for professional purposes and academic recognition. Within the latter, there are
two types of recognition: standardisation and equivalence.
Recognition of a Diploma for Professional Purposes
This is a process authorizing the exercise of a profession in the destination country.
It does not have academic validity or serve for any other purpose except the exercise
of a profession. To obtain this recognition, the profession must be regulated in
Spain. If the profession is not regulated, this process is not necessary.
Regulated professions are divided into two categories according to the regulation
that affects them:
Professions regulated by sector directives: doctors and specialists, nurses responsible for general care, midwives, dentists, veterinaries, pharmacists and architects.
Their diplomas can be directly recognized if the individual has been exercising this
profession in another member state of the EU or an associated state (EES and
Switzerland).
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Professions regulated through a General Recognition System require an exam
of the training covered by the requester’s diploma that allows entry into the corresponding profession in the destination country. In these cases, the powers of
professional recognition belong to various bodies of the national civil service or of
the autonomous communities.
Standardisation and Equivalence
Standardisation gives the foreign diploma, as of the date on which the credential
was granted and issued, the same effects as the Spanish diploma or academic degree
with which it has been standardized, in accordance with current regulations.
44
Equivalence is the official recognition of the validity for academic purposes of
higher education studies made abroad, whether they end in the awarding of a diploma or not, as compared to partial Spanish university studies that permit studying
in a Spanish university.
The competent body is: Ministry of Education and Science (see the postal address
below).
NARIC Network
The NARIC network or Network of Academic Recognition Information Centres
was created in 1984 to help regulate the recognition of diplomas and integration
into the national educational system. The centres give authorised guidance and
information about the academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in
other countries.
Europass Supplements
To make the diplomas or training certificates of someone who moves to Spain more
comprehensible for employers and institutions, it is advisable to get the Europass
document for this diploma in your country of origin. You can get information about
these documents from your country’s National Europass Center.
Links:
Regulated professions:
http://www.mec.es/mecd/jsp/plantilla.jsp?id=82&area=titulos
http://www.mec.es/mecd/jsp/plantilla.jsp?id=85&area=titulos
Equivalence and Standardisation
Information on “Tu Europa” (Your Europe)
http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/es/citizens/working/qualification-recognition/index.html
45
SPAIN
NARIC Network Spain
Ministry of Education and Science
Dept. of Diplomas, Equivalence and Standardisation
Paseo del Prado, 28
E- 28014 Madrid
Tel: +34-91-506.5593
Fax: +34-91-506.57.06
E-mail: nieves.trelles@educ.mec.es
WORKING IN
http://www.mec.es/mecd/titulos/convalidacion.html
List of Regulated Professions in each EU member state:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/regprofs/dsp_bycountry.cfm
EuropassSystem
SPAIN
WORKING IN
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/
46
12
CULTURE
Spanish social and cultural life is the product of many external influences received
during our history. Because of this it has great richness and diversity. Many cultural
activities receive direct support from the government through the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Some of the great names in Spanish arts have been, in painting, Velázquez, Goya,
Murillo, Zurbarán, Sorolla, Picasso, Dalí and Miró; in classical literature, Cervantes,
Quevedo and Lope de Vega; and in music, Manuel de Falla and Albéniz.
Spain has a huge historical, artistic, bibliographical and documentary heritage that
holds the key to national collective life; this country is third in the world in the
number of world ranking historical monuments.
Madrid has three great museums with masterpieces of universal art: the Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and Queen Sophia National Art Centre.
Most cities publish guides containing information about all the local cultural activities
(concerts, exhibitions, conferences, museums, painting, the theatre, etc.). There are
many festivals to enjoy in your leisure and free time and the tourist offices in each
town can give you information on local history and culture.
47
SPAIN
Spain celebrates Christmas, Easter Week and Carnival. Each village and town has
its own patron saint whose festival can last for several days. Among the best known
festivals are the Sanfermines in Pamplona, the Fallas in Valencia, Carnival in the
Canary Islands, the April Fair in Seville and San Isidro in Madrid.
WORKING IN
In recent years the Spanish literary industry has developed at an enormous rate.
The industry has taken advantage of Spanish literature to make Spanish a language
that is continually gaining ground worldwide. We should emphasise the importance
of the Cervantes Institute for promoting and teaching Spanish and for increasing
knowledge of Spanish and Latin American culture.
For sport, most Spanish towns have excellent sporting facilities. The most popular
as a spectacle is football but there is also basketball, handball, cycling and athletics.
Other sports that are practiced with enthusiasm are golf, tennis, skiing, sport fishing,
sailing, and recently a proliferation of the so called adventure sports such as flying
ultralights, paragliding and abseiling.
In this section on gastronomy, one of Spain’s main attractions is the quality of the
food and the variety of products. We cannot talk of a national cuisine but of many
regional cuisines. Paella from Valencia, empanadas (turnovers) and caldo (broth)
from Galicia, fabada (bean stew) from Asturias, tripe Madrid style and the Spanish
omelette are some of the most typical dishes.
Social life is very important in Spain. Family and friends are the focal point of life
for most Spaniards. In social relationships, it is usual to find informal and spontaneous attitudes and language and physical contact is common so that greeting
people with kisses and hugs can be surprising for people who visit Spain for the
first time, as well as our custom of interrupting each other, which is not considered
bad manners but just part of spontaneous conversation. When people who do not
know each other first meet, it is normal to use the formal version of “you“ usted
but in more informal situations and when at leisure, the use of the informal tu is
very widespread.
The normal time for lunch is between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. and for dinner between
9:00 and 11:00 p.m., much later than is usual in the rest of Europe. People often
go out for dinner with friends especially at the weekend.
The nightlife in Spain is legendary and one of our major attractions. Bars and discotheques are open all night. The hotel trade is one of the most dynamic sectors
in the Spanish economy.
Although there have been big changes in recent years, the family continues to be the
heart of personal relationships and is very important. Maintaining links with friends
is also very important. It must be said that the types of family are becoming much
more varied since in Spain there is now marriage between people of the same sex
and single parent families are growing in number.
SPAIN
WORKING IN
You can obtain more information on subjects related to culture from:
Ministry of Culture
State Secretary for Culture
Tel. 917-017-156 or 917-017-157
http://www.mcu.es/
The Institute for Youth, INJUVE, collects and publishes information of interest for
young people: ID cards for young people, hostels, exchanges, cooperation, voluntary work, associations, courses, employment, housing. etc. It also cooperates with
48
almost 3,000 youth information centres all over the country, which belong to the
autonomous communities, town councils and various social initiatives.
http://www.injuve.mtas.es
Before you arrive in Spain it is advisable to find out about many general aspects of
the country. To obtain information, contact the Spanish tourist office or a Spanish
embassy or consulate.
49
SPAIN
WORKING IN
http://www.tourspain.es
13
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
During your stay in Spain you are subject to Spanish law. If you have any legal
problems, contact your country’s embassy. Also, if you feel your rights as a community citizen are not being respected, you may contact the SOLVIT network,
created by the European Commission to ensure compliance with community
legislation.
http://europa.eu.int/solvit
SOLVIT - España
Ministerio de Asuntos Exterioresy de Cooperación
Serrano Galvache 26 - 28071 Madrid
Tel. 91 379 9999
Fax. 91 394 8684
solvit@ue.mae.es
Any person who is detained must immediately be informed of their rights and the
reason for the arrest, and they may not be forced to make a declaration. Preventive arrest may last only as long as strictly necessary to make the inquiries required
to clarify the facts. In any case, after a maximum period of 72 hours, the detainee
must be released or charged.
SPAIN
WORKING IN
The Spanish Constitution and its related laws establish a series of fundamental rights
that are fully guaranteed. When faced with any legal problem, contact a lawyer. If
you do not have one, request a legal aid lawyer from the Lawyers Association. All
detainees in any police and judicial proceedings have the right to be assisted by a
lawyer.
An additional legal guarantee to the right of personal freedom is the “habeas corpus” procedure, which provides for the immediate release of all people detained,
who must appear before the judge who will determine the legality or illegality of
the arrest.
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14
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES
Tel. 91 557 90 00
Fax: 91 310 21 04
http://www.madrid.diplo.de
Austria:
Tel. 91 556 53 15
Fax: 91 597 35 79
http://www.bmeia.gv.at/madrid
Belgium:
Tel. 91 577 63 00
Fax: 91 431 81 66
http://www.diplomatie.be/Madrid
Bulgaria:
Tel. 91 345 57 61
Fax: 91 359 12 01
Cyprus:
Tel. 91 578 31 14
Fax: 91 578 21 89
Denmark:
Tel. 91 431 84 45
Fax: 91 431 91 68
http://www.ambmadrid.um.dk/es
Slovakia:
Tel. 91 590 38 61
Fax: 91 590 38 68
Slovenia:
Tel. 91 411 68 93
Fax: 91 564 60 57
Estonia:
Tel. 91 426 16 71
http://www.estemb.es
Fax: 91 426 46 72
Finland:
Tel. 921 319 61 72
Fax: 91 308 39 01
http://www.finlandia.es/es
France:
Tel. 91 423 89 00
Fax: 91 423 89 08
http://www.ambafrance-es.org
Greece:
Tel. 91 564 46 53
Fax: 91 564 46 68
http://www.embagrec.org
51
SPAIN
Germany:
WORKING IN
Embassies in Spain
Hungary:
Tel. 91 413 70 11
Fax: 91 413 71 49
http://www.mfa.gov.hu/emb/madrid
Ireland:
Tel. 91 436 40 93
Fax: 91 435 16 77
Iceland:
Tel. 91 373 15 06
Fax: 91 373 92 65
Italy:
Tel. 91 423 33 00
Fax: 91 575 77 76
Latvia:
Tel. 91 369 13 62
Fax: 91 369 00 20
Lithuania:
Tel. 91 702 21 16
http://es.mfa.lt
Fax: 91 310 40 18
Luxemburg:
Tel. 91 435 91 64
www.mae.lu/spain
Fax: 91 577 48 26
Malta:
Tel. 91 391 30 61
Fax: 91 391 30 66
Norway:
Tel. 91 436 34 40
www.noruega.es
Fax: 91 310 43 26
Netherlands:
Tel. 91 353 75 00
Fax: 91 353 75 65
http://www.embajadapaisesbajos.es/
Portugal:
Tel. 91 782 49 60
Fax: 91 782 49 72
http://www.embajadaportugal-madrid.org
Poland:
Tel. 91 373 66 05
www.polonia.es
Fax: 91 373 66 24
SPAIN
WORKING IN
United Kingdom: Tel. 91 700 82 00
Fax: 91 702 20 40
http://www.ukinspain.com
Czech Rep.:
Tel. 91 353 18 80
Fax: 91 353 18 85
http://www.mzv.cz/madrid
Rumania
Tel. 91 350 44 36
www.mae.ro
Sweden
Tel. 91 702 20 00
Fax: 91 702 20 40
http://www.embajadasuecia.es
Fax: 91 345 29 17
Euroinfo. European Commission Representative in Spain
Tel. 91 423 80 00
Fax 91 576 03 87
http://europa.eu.int/spain
52
Civil Service Information
General information:
www.060.es
Tax information:
901 33 55 33
www.agenciatributaria.es
Social Security information:
900 16 65 65
www.seg-social.es
Citizen’s Information of the Ministry of the Interior:
900 15 00 00
www.mir.es
National Social Security Institute
Dept. of International Relations (International Agreements).
Padre Damián, 4-6 28036-MADRID
Tel.: 91 568 83 00
http://www.seg-social.es
State Public Employment Service-INEM
Calle Condesa de Venadito 9
28027 Madrid
Tel: 91 5859888
http://www.inem.es
Internet Addresses
Throughout this document Internet addresses have been given that are related to
each section. Here are other addresses that could be useful:
European Employment Services:
EURES: http://eures.europa.eu
State Public Employment Service (INEM):
www.inem.es
National Employment System web portal
www.sistemanacionalempleo.es
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdeempleo
http://inaem.aragob.es
http://www.trabajastur.com
http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/empleo
http://www.empleacantabria.com
http://www.empleocastillayleon.com
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SPAIN
Andalusia
Aragon
Asturias
Canary Islands
Cantabria
Castilla y León
WORKING IN
Employment Services in the autonomous communities:
Castilla-La Mancha
Catalonia
Extremadura
Galicia
Balearic Islands
La Rioja
Madrid
Murcia
Navarre
Valencian Com.
Basque Country
http://www.sepecam.jccm.es
http://www.oficinatreball.net
http://www.empleaextremadura.com
http://www.xunta.es/emprego/portal.htm
http://infosoib.caib.es
http://www.larioja.org/empleo
http://www.madrid.org/servicio_regional_empleo/
http://www.sefcarm.es
http://www.empleo.navarra.es
http://www.servef.es
http://www.lanbide.net
Employment on the Internet
http://www.monster.es
http://www.infojobs.net
http://www.trabajos.com
http://www.infoempleo.com
http://www.laboris.net
http://www.cybersearch.es
http://www.empleo.com
http://www.todotrabajo.com
http://www.trabajo.org
http://www.recursoshumanos.net/
http://www.acciontrabajo.com/
http://empleo.paginas-amarillas.es
http://www.oficinaempleo.com
http://intoko.es
Job Exchanges by Specialisation and/or Sector
Managers and qualified personnel
Hotels, tourism and leisure
Computing and Information technology
SPAIN
WORKING IN
Teachers and educators
Health sector
Employment for disabled people
University and recent graduates
Secretaries
Part time employment
54
http://www.canalcv.com
http://www.turijobs.com
http://www.turiempleo.com
http://www.poraqui.net
http://www.internenes.com/empleo
http://www.educajob.com
http://www.novanotio.es
http://www.tecnijobs.com
http://www.empleosalud.com
http://www.mercadis.com
http://www.empleo.universia.es
http://www.secretariaplus.com
http://www.empleotiempoparcial.com
Temporary work agencies (E.T.T.)
ACCESS
ADECCO
ALTA GESTION
ATTEMPORA
CEPEDE
FASTER
RANDSTAD
TEMPORAL TRANSFER
http://www.accessett.com
http://www.adecco.es
http://www.altagestion.es
http://www.attempora.es
http://www.cepede.com
http://www.faster.es
http://www.randstad.es
http://www.temporaltransfer.com
Communications Media:
El Mundo
Jobs
El País
Jobs
ABC
La Razón
El Periódico
La Vanguardia
Jobs
La Estrella Digital
“Sur in English”
Heraldo de Aragón
Jobs
Spanish Radio and Televisión
TVE programme “There’s Work Here”
(Aquí Hay Trabajo)
http://www.elmundo.es
http://www.elmundo.es/cobranded/empleo
http://www.elpais.es
http://empleo.elpais.com
http://www.abc.es
http://www.larazon.es
http://www.elperiodico.es
http://www.lavanguardia.es
http://www.servijob.com
http://www.estrelladigital.es/
http://www.surinenglish.com
http://www.heraldo.es
http://empleo.heraldo.es
http://www.rtve.es
http://www.rtve.es/tve/program/empleo/main.html
Information on companies
http://www.cepyme.es
Working Conditions
Labour guide
Wages
Collective agreements
http://www.mtas.es/Guia/es/entrada.htm
http://www.tusalario.es
http://empleo.mtas.es/convenios/
55
SPAIN
Chambers of commerce
Dialogue with companies
Spanish Small and Medium Size
Business (PYME) Confederation
http://camerdata.es
http://directorio.camaras.org
http://www.europages.es
http://www.ventanillaempresarial.org/
http://www.vue.es
http://www.camaras.org
http://europa.eu.int/business/es/index.html
WORKING IN
Company Search
Exporters
Europages
Setting up a company
Civil Service
General web site
http://www.administracion.es
http://www.060.es
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
http://www.mtas.es
Ministry of Public Administration
http://www.map.es
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation http://www.mae.es
Ministry of Economy and Treasury:
http://www.minhac.es
Ministry of Education and Science:
http://www.mec.es
Ministry of Justice:
http://www.mju.es
Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs
http://www.msc.es
Ministry of the Interior:
http://www.mir.es
Ministry of Development:
http://www.fomento.es
Ministry of Culture:
http://www.mcu.es
Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food:
http://www.mapa.es
Ministry of the Environment:
http://www.mma.es
Ministry of Housing:
http://www.mviv.es
Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce:
http://www.mityc.es
National Statistics Institute:
http://ine.es
Taxes
http://www.aeat.es/
Institute for Youth
http://www.mtas.es
SPAIN
WORKING IN
Autonomous Community Civil Service
Junta de Andalucía:
Autonomous Community of Aragón
(Government of Aragón):
Autonomous Community of Asturias
(Principality of Asturias):
Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands:
Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands:
Autonomous Community of Cantabria:
Community of Castilla-La Mancha:
Autonomous Community of Castilla y León:
Autonomous Community of Catalonia:
Autonomous Community of Extremadura:
Autonomous Community of Galicia:
Autonomous Community of Madrid:
Autonomous Community of Murcia:
Regional Community of Navarre:
Autonomous Community of the Basque Country
Autonomous Community of La Rioja:
Autonomous Community of Valencia:
Autonomous City of Ceuta:
Autonomous City of Melilla:
56
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es
http://www.aragob.es
http://www.asturias.es
http://www.caib.es
http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org
http://www.gobcantabria.es
http://www.jccm.es
http://www.jcyl.es
http://www.gencat.net
http://www.juntaex.es
http://www.xunta.es
http://www.madrid.org
http://www.carm.es
http://www.cfnavarra.es
http://www.euskadi.net
http://www.larioja.org
http://www.gva.es
http://www.ceuta.es
http://www.melilla.es
Accommodation and Travel
Finding a flat
http://www.fotocasa.es
http://www.excoge.com
http://www.enalquiler.com
http://www.loquo.com
Housing, (Information on)
Institute of Foreign Owners
http://www.fipe.org/
http://www.paginasamarillas.es
http://www.tuviviendajoven.com
Prices (Evaluation Society)
http://www.st-tasacion.es/boletin.html
Youth hostels
http://www.reaj.com
Sleep in Spain
http://www.sleepinspain.com/
Travel
http://www.viamichelin.es
Plans and maps
http://www.maporama.com
http://www.callejeroterra.es
http://callejero.paginas-amarillas.es
Air transport
http://www.iberia.com
Trains
http://www.renfe.es
Tourism, culture, accommodation, travel
Official web site
http://www.tourspain.es/
Others
http://www.sispain.org/
http://www.red2000.com/spain/1index.html
http://www.spaindata.com
Education
Universities
http://www.universia.es
Learning Spanish (Cervantes Inst.)
http://www.cervantes.es/
http://www.ave.cervantes.esfipe
Royal Spanish Language Academy
http://www.rae.es/
Spanish web site
http://www.el-castellano.com/index.html
Post-graduate studies
http://navegadorcolon.org
Scholarships
http://www.programabecas.com
57
SPAIN
http://www.worldstudent.com/esp/exterior/espana/index.shtml
http://www.educaweb.com
http://www.eurydice.org
http://www.programabecas.org
http://www.navegadorcolon.org
WORKING IN
Education
Other Sources of Information
SPAIN
WORKING IN
EURES (Info on living and working conditions)
Dialogue with citizens
Foreign embassies in Spain
Institute for Youth (Eryica network)
Yellow Pages
Segundamano (ads, work, property, etc.)
Anuntis (ads, work, property)
58
http://europa.eu.int/eures
http://citizens.eu.int
http://www.mae.es/
http://www.mtas.es
http://www.paginasamarillas.es
http://www.segundamano.es
http://www.anuntis.com
15
DON’T FORGET...
Before going to Spain to look for a job or have an interview, there are some
documents that you should not forget:
• Valid passport or ID document from the EU or EES.
• Translated Curriculum Vitae (carry several copies), letters of introduction and references from your former employers and a photocopy of academic diplomas and courses.
It is a good idea to have your CV and letter of introduction in an electronic format
so that you can update and/or modify them.
• European health card issued by the Social Security in your country (Form
E-100)
• Form for contributions made (E-301), if appropriate.
• Form for exporting benefits (E-303), if appropriate.
• Photocopy of birth certificate and family certificate.
• Certified translation of your diploma(s), if appropriate
• Any other permits or licences that you think may be needed, e.g., driving
licence.
Before accepting a job, make sure that you:
• Have accommodation in Spain.
• Have adequate health coverage.
• Have sufficient funds until you receive your first wages or go home, if this is
necessary.
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SPAIN
• Get to know the form and frequency of the payment of the wages or salary.
WORKING IN
• Understand the terms and conditions of the work contract. It is important
that you find out who pays travel expenses and accommodation, you or the
employer.
Before going home it is important to:
• Request a document E 301, etc., from the Employment Office to certify your
contributions in Spain to use for any future benefits to which you may be
entitled.
• Check that you have saved all the personal documentation that proves your
working relationship in Spain (work contract, pay slips, etc.).
• Take care of your taxes at the tax office.
• Make sure that your rent contract, water and electricity connections, bank
accounts, etc. are all cancelled.
SPAIN
WORKING IN
Remember that it can take time to get all these documents, so it is advisable to
request them as soon as possible.
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