Many tourists returning to Britian, having spent a few weeks in this wonderful country, decide to up sticks and make the move over to this warmer climate. If you are one of those and fortunate enough to have sufficient funds to survive without working, good and well. However, if you are like the rest of us who require to work, or set up a business, in order to secure a living, there may well be a few questions you feel like asking.

What about finding work?
Along the Costas, due to the heavy involvement in the tourist trade, you can find that many jobs are seasonal. Finding work largely depends on what you can do and, perhaps more importantly, what you will be prepared to do.  For example, Spanish constructors know how to deal with the heat of the summer – even if it is lying in the shade drinking beer – a British worker will struggle to endure such extreme heat.  In general Spanish wages are considerably less than those in the UK but bear in mind that the cost of living is less and the lifestyle better.

Most British qualifications are recognized in Spain.

Initially, until you find your feet, many people find themselves working in the tourist industry: in bars, promotional work, etc. There are also opportunities to teach English but this often takes time to establish.  Looking in the local papers, establishing contacts in local bars, making it known you are looking for work and generally being aware of what is going on around you is probably the best way to start.  Once you have secured a job the pressure is off and, if need be, you can look around for something more appropriate. Hours may be long and days off seem non existent. But, the life is good!

Do I need a permit to work?
No. Any national of an EU or EEA Member State is free to enter and work, temporary or permanent in Spain or Portugal without a work permit.

Contracts
On finding a job, make sure you get an official work contract from your employer. Read it carefully and/or have it translated. Remember that you can be given a temporary contract that only lasts 3/6/9 months. After three such contracts, an employer has to give you a long-term contract in order to keep you on.  Bear in mind, if you are discovered to be working without a contract you may be sent home. Also, if you are caught employing people without a contract will be fined immediately.

You cannot simply be dismissed from your job without reason.  Should you find this has happened to you then it is possible to take the matter further. If a satisfactory agreement is not reached between the employer and employee then the case can go to the Labour Court. If the ruling is made for you then you will receive 45 days compensation for every year worked.

NIE
To work in Spain you must have an NIE number. Go along to your local police station and look for the section dealing with foreigners. With luck they will   help you through the procedure.  You will be asked to complete a form but it is not a difficult form to fill in.  Take a copy of the Spanish words you will require (end of this article) and you will sail through it. You will need to take along a copy of your passport and two passport type photos. You will also need to provide confirmation of a Spanish address (you can use a friend’s address).

If you find the thought of this off putting you can have a lawyer, or fiscal, apply for your NIE number for you, however, the procedure will cost you in the region of 100 euros!

How to get a Social Security Number:
To obtain a social security number is also a relatively easy procedure. Take your original passport and a photocopy to your local social security office. Although the form you will be asked to complete is in Spanish you should find it not too difficult. You will be given a temporary card bearing your number.  The plastic Social Security card will be posted out to you in due time. You don’t have to have a job to get a social security number. Neither do you need a NIE number but this is a handy identification to have and easy to obtain (see above).

Translations to help you complete the N.I.E. application form.
Section one:                                              

DATOS PERSONALES	Personal details
1er Apellido:	Surname
2º Apellido :	Spanish have two surnames – score through
Nombre:	Christian name – as on passport
Fecha de Nacimiento:	Date of birth (dd/mm/yy)  eg. 02/05/06 (2nd May, 2006)
Lugar de nacimiento:	Place of birth
Sexo:	Gender “H” for Male (Hombre) and “M” Female (Mujer)
Estado Civil:	Status; S for single; C for married; V for widow; D for divorced
País de nacimiento:	Country of Birth
País de nacionalidad:	Current Nationality  eg. British
Nombre del padre:	Father´s name
Nombre de la madre:	Mother´s name
Domicilio en España:	Address in Spain (if you have one, otherwise leave blank)
Localidad:	Town
CP:	Postcode
Provincia:	Province

In section two you will be asked for your reason for making the application. Opt for ‘Profesional’ for work purposes and ‘social’ for house purchase. Leave section three blank. You will be asked to sign the form where it says ‘firma de solicitante’. The waiting time is usually four weeks. You return to the police station and collect your NIE number.

There you are!  All set and ready to go.  Remember to set your alarm on your first day.

© Sleepwell Marketing S.L.. 2005 – All rights reserved.

Information courtesy of Marc White LL.B. (English Solicitor) - Visit homepage

If you have any questions then please email us: info@spanishadvertiser.info using your spanish advertiser email address and we will endeavour to return your query as soon as possible.