Guide · checked 17 October 2026

Finding a job in Spain as an English speaker

English speakers work in Spain in international companies, schools, tourism, tech and remote jobs. Start with whether you're allowed to work here, then where to look.

This is a guide, not a job search: we don't list vacancies or track what you click. One honest point first: the EU's job portal says knowledge of Spanish is essential for working in Spain (EURES). English-only jobs exist, but learning Spanish widens your options a lot.

Can you work in Spain?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

You can work in Spain, as an employee or self-employed, without a work permit (Your Europe). If you stay more than three months, you must register in person within three months of arriving and get a registration certificate (Policía Nacional).

UK citizens

Since Brexit, UK citizens are treated like other non-EU nationals. If you've lived in Spain legally since before 1 January 2021, you keep your right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement and don't need a permit. Otherwise you need a visa and a permit to work (GOV.UK, Living in Spain; Travel to Spain for work).

Everyone else from outside the EU

The rules are in Spain's immigration regulation, Real Decreto 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025. Pages that cite the older regulation (RD 557/2011) are out of date.

For a job with a Spanish employer, it's normally the employer who applies for your first residence and work permit, and the job must pass a labour-market test: either it's on the official list of hard-to-fill jobs, or the employer shows it couldn't fill it locally (Ministerio de Inclusión, Hoja 12).

Working remotely for a company abroad

The digital nomad visa (officially, residence for international teleworking) is for non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, who work remotely for companies based outside Spain. Under Ley 14/2013, art. 74 bis:

• employees may only work for companies based outside Spain;
• if you're self-employed, up to 20% of your work may be for Spanish companies;
• you need a degree or postgraduate qualification, or at least 3 years of professional experience.

You'll also need to show income of at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI) a month for the main applicant; the official pages give it only as a share of the minimum wage, which changes, so check the current amount with your consulate or the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (FAQs in English). Health cover is required too: see our health insurance guide.

EU citizens don't need this visa: you can live in Spain and work remotely for anyone.

Teaching English: language assistants

Spain's Ministerio de Educación runs the Auxiliares de conversación programme, placing native speakers in Spanish schools. In the 2026-2027 call (official page):

• it was open to university graduates and students (second year or later) from listed countries, including the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, aged under 45 for new candidates;
• assistants received €800 a month (some regions pay more) for 14 hours a week, from 1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027;
• applications ran from 2 to 30 June 2026. New candidates from the UK and Ireland apply through the organisation that runs the programme in their own country.

The next call hadn't been published when we checked. The Ministry describes the programme as a cultural and educational exchange, not an employment relationship.

Getting your qualifications recognised

• University degrees: the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades handles homologación (needed to work in a regulated profession, such as medicine) and equivalencia (confirms the academic level of your degree) under Real Decreto 889/2022 (how it works).
• School and other non-university qualifications: homologación with the Ministerio de Educación; applications are open all year.
• Regulated professions, EU route: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can use the EU directive on professional qualifications, handled by the ministry responsible for each profession. If you're British, ask that ministry which route applies to your qualification before you start.

Recognition can take months, so start early if your job depends on it.

Where to look

• SEPE, the state employment service, and Empléate, the public portal that gathers offers from job sites.
• EURES, the EU's job-mobility portal, with advice on living and working in Spain.
• InfoJobs: the biggest general Spanish job site; most listings are in Spanish.
• LinkedIn Jobs: good for international companies and English-speaking roles; set the location to Spain.
• Tecnoempleo: IT and telecoms jobs.
• NABSS job board: teaching and other jobs at British international schools in Spain.
• Indeed España: another large general job site (we couldn't check its link automatically, so search for it directly).

These are plain links. We don't earn anything from them.

Got an offer?

Spanish salaries are often quoted gross a year, and may be paid in 14 instalments. See what an offer is worth after tax in your region with the salary calculator. Moving to Spain for the job? The Beckham law calculator shows whether the special regime for new arrivals would save you tax. Offered freelance work instead? Compare it with the employee or autónomo calculator.