Spain has long been a favourite destination for young people wanting work experience abroad: the language is learned quickly, social life is intense and the cost of living, outside Madrid and Barcelona, is affordable. But be aware that the job market is hard even for young Spaniards: youth unemployment (under 25) is around 25%, among the highest in Europe, and first contracts are often insecure or poorly paid.
Where the opportunities are
- Tourism and hospitality, including seasonal jobs (see seasonal work).
- Multinationals' multilingual service centres, which look for native speakers for customer service, sales, marketing and content moderation.
- Technology and start-ups, especially in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Málaga.
- Language teaching, in private academies and as university language assistants.
- Fashion and retail, with big groups such as Inditex and Mango.
Programmes that help
- Erasmus+ traineeships: allow students and recent graduates, within a year of graduating, to intern at a Spanish company with a monthly grant (see Erasmus in Spain and internships).
- EURES, the European job mobility network, with vacancies and advisers.
- The European Solidarity Corps, for funded volunteering projects with board, lodging and pocket money, for 18 to 30-year-olds.
- The Spanish Ministry of Education's language assistant programmes, placing young graduates in Spanish schools.
- Au pair placements, living with a Spanish family in exchange for help with children.
Remote work and self-employment
Many young people work from Spain for foreign companies. Self-employed workers must register as autónomos: new autónomos pay reduced contributions (tarifa plana) in their first year (see starting a business).
Tips
- Learn Spanish before you go, at least to B1: it makes a big difference.
- Prepare a CV in Spanish and a tailored cover letter (see the CV).
- Save enough for the first two or three months, including deposit and rent (see the cost of living).
- As soon as you arrive, get your NIE and register with the town hall: without these it is hard to be hired (see moving to Spain).
- Network: expat associations, social media groups and coworking spaces are great sources of contacts.