Work

Finding a job in Spain as a foreigner

What to know about the Spanish job market and work authorisation before you start applying.

Where to find jobs in Spain

The main job boards, the official public employment service, and networking channels used in Spain.

Writing a CV for the Spanish job market

How Spanish CV conventions differ from other countries, and what to include.

Job interviews in Spain

What to expect from the interview process in Spain, and how it may differ from other countries.

Understanding your employment contract

The main contract types and clauses to check before starting a job in Spain.

Types of employment contracts in Spain

The main employment contract categories in Spain and what each one means for job security.

Probation periods in Spain

How long a probation period (periodo de prueba) can legally last, and what it means for both sides.

Working hours and overtime in Spain

The legal limits on working hours, rest periods and overtime pay in Spain.

Minimum wage in Spain (SMI)

The current national minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional) and how it applies to your pay.

Payslips explained (Nómina)

How to read a Spanish payslip (nómina) — gross pay, deductions, and what should appear on it.

Holiday entitlement in Spain

The legal minimum paid holiday every employee is entitled to, and how it interacts with sick leave.

Sick leave in Spain (Baja por enfermedad)

How sick leave (incapacidad temporal) works, who pays you, and how much you receive.

Maternity and paternity leave in Spain

How birth and childcare leave works in Spain, including the extended entitlement effective from 2026.

Getting a Social Security Number before starting work

Why you need a Social Security number (NUSS) before your first job in Spain, and how it differs from being registered as active.

Social security registration for employees

How employees get registered (alta) with Social Security when they start a job in Spain.

Social security contributions explained

Who pays what into the Spanish Social Security system, and what those contributions fund.

Understanding your working life report (Vida Laboral)

What the Vida Laboral report shows, and how to request your own copy for free.

Registering as a freelancer (autónomo)

The steps to legally register as a self-employed freelancer (autónomo) in Spain.

Social Security for freelancers (RETA)

How the RETA self-employed Social Security scheme works, including the flat-rate 'tarifa plana' for new freelancers.

Invoicing as a freelancer in Spain

What a legally valid Spanish freelancer invoice (factura) must include, and how VAT is applied.

Closing your self-employed activity

The steps to formally stop being registered as autónomo, both for tax and Social Security purposes.

Resigning from your job in Spain

The notice period and steps involved when you choose to leave a job voluntarily.

Dismissal and redundancy in Spain

The main types of dismissal in Spain and the severance pay each one entitles you to.

Final settlement (Finiquito) explained

What your finiquito should include when an employment relationship ends, whatever the reason.

Unemployment benefits in Spain (Paro)

Eligibility, amount and duration of the Spanish contributory unemployment benefit.

How to register as unemployed

How to sign up as a jobseeker (demandante de empleo) with SEPE, a separate step from claiming benefit.

Employee rights in Spain

A general overview of the core rights every employee has under Spanish labour law.

Workplace discrimination in Spain

What counts as workplace discrimination under Spanish law, and how to report it.

Health and safety at work in Spain

The basics of your employer's legal duty to protect your health and safety on the job.

Labour inspections and how to file a complaint

How to file a formal complaint with the Labour Inspectorate (ITSS) if your employer is breaking the rules.