Autónomo Spain: Complete Self-Employment Guide 2025
Register as autónomo (self-employed) in Spain. Social Security costs, tax obligations, invoicing requirements, and when to hire an accountant. Complete 2025 guide.
Jobs in Spain for English Speakers: Complete Guide (2025)
Find jobs in Spain for English speakers. Teaching English, remote work, digital nomad opportunities, and how to work legally in Spain. Job search resources and salary expectations.
Working in Spain: Jobs for English Speakers
Spain offers diverse job opportunities for English speakers, from teaching to tech roles. This guide covers how to find work, salary expectations, and legal requirements for working in Spain.
Quick Stats
- Unemployment Rate: 11-12% (national average)
- Average Salary: €25,000-€30,000/year gross
- English Teacher Salary: €1,000-€1,800/month
- Digital Nomad Visa: Launched 2023 for remote workers
- Top Cities for Jobs: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Bilbao
Top Job Opportunities for English Speakers
1. Teaching English (4,400 searches/month)
Highest demand job for native English speakers.
Salary: €1,000-€1,800/month Requirements:
- Native English speaker (usually)
- TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (120+ hours)
- Bachelor’s degree (for some positions)
Types of Teaching Jobs:
- Private language schools (academias)
- Public schools (NALCAP program)
- Private tutoring
- Online teaching
- Business English
Complete Teaching English Guide →
2. Remote Work / Digital Nomad (1,900 searches/month)
Work remotely for international companies while living in Spain.
Options:
- Digital Nomad Visa (2023): For remote workers earning €2,334+/month
- Work for non-Spanish company while on tourist visa (90 days)
- Become autónomo (self-employed) and work for Spanish clients
Popular Remote Fields:
- Software development
- Marketing
- Design
- Writing/content creation
- Customer support
3. Tourism & Hospitality
High demand in tourist areas (Barcelona, Costa del Sol, Balearic Islands).
Roles:
- Hotel/hostel staff
- Tour guides
- Restaurant/bar staff
- Travel agents
- Guest relations
Salary: €1,200-€2,000/month Season: Peak summer season (May-September)
4. Tech & Startups
Barcelona and Madrid have thriving tech scenes.
In-Demand Roles:
- Software engineers
- UX/UI designers
- Product managers
- Data scientists
- DevOps engineers
Salary: €30,000-€60,000/year Hubs: Barcelona (tech hub), Madrid (startups)
5. Translation & Interpretation
Strong demand for English-Spanish translators.
Opportunities:
- Freelance translation (5,400 searches/month)
- Corporate translation
- Legal/medical translation
- Conference interpreting
Salary: €25-€50/hour freelance
6. Customer Service & Sales
Many international companies have support centers in Spain.
Roles:
- Customer support (multilingual)
- Sales representatives
- Account managers
Salary: €18,000-€28,000/year + bonuses Cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga
Job Search Resources
Job Boards
- InfoJobs.net - Largest Spanish job board
- Indeed Spain - International jobs
- LinkedIn - Professional networking
- Glassdoor Spain - Salaries and reviews
English-Speaker Job Boards
- Barcelona Metropolitan Jobs - Barcelona expat jobs
- The Local Spain Jobs - Expat job listings
- TEFL.com - Teaching jobs
- Remote OK - Remote positions
Recruitment Agencies
- Adecco Spain - General staffing
- Randstad Spain - Multiple sectors
- Michael Page Spain - Professional roles
- Hays Spain - IT & professional services
Legal Requirements for Working
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens
✅ Can work immediately
- No work permit needed
- Register as resident if staying 3+ months
- Get NIE number for taxes and social security
Non-EU Citizens
❌ Need work visa - employer must sponsor
Options:
-
Company-Sponsored Work Visa
- Employer applies for work permit
- You apply for work visa
- Tied to specific employer
- Processing: 1-4 months
-
Digital Nomad Visa
- For remote workers
- Income requirement: €2,334/month
- Learn more →
-
Self-Employment (Autónomo)
- Work as freelancer
- Register as autónomo
- Pay social security (€294/month minimum)
- Autónomo Guide →
-
Student Visa with Part-Time Work
- Can work up to 20 hours/week
- Student Visa →
UK Citizens (Post-Brexit)
- Treated as non-EU (need work permit)
- 90-day visa-free tourism
- Need visa to work legally
Salary Expectations
Average Salaries by Sector (Gross Annual)
| Sector | Entry Level | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching English | €12,000-€16,000 | €16,000-€22,000 | €22,000-€30,000 |
| IT/Software | €25,000-€35,000 | €35,000-€50,000 | €50,000-€80,000 |
| Marketing | €18,000-€25,000 | €25,000-€35,000 | €35,000-€50,000 |
| Customer Service | €16,000-€22,000 | €22,000-€28,000 | €28,000-€35,000 |
| Tourism/Hospitality | €14,000-€18,000 | €18,000-€25,000 | €25,000-€35,000 |
| Finance | €25,000-€35,000 | €35,000-€50,000 | €50,000-€100,000 |
Note: Salaries in Barcelona and Madrid are typically 10-20% higher than other cities.
Tax & Social Security
Income Tax (IRPF)
Progressive rates from 19% to 47% (varies by region).
Example: €30,000 gross salary
- Income tax: ~€4,500
- Social security: ~€1,950 (employee contribution)
- Net salary:
€23,550 (€1,963/month x 12)
Note: Spanish salaries are typically paid in 14 payments (12 months + 2 bonuses in summer and December)
Social Security Contributions
- Employee: 6.35% of gross salary
- Employer: ~29.9% of gross salary
- Autónomo (self-employed): €294/month minimum (flat rate for first 2 years)
City Job Markets
Barcelona (1,900 searches/month)
Best For: Tech, tourism, teaching
Pros:
- International startup scene
- High English demand
- Beach lifestyle
- Multicultural
Cons:
- High competition
- Rising cost of living
- Lower salaries than Madrid (for some sectors)
Average Salary: €25,000-€35,000
Madrid
Best For: Finance, corporate, government
Pros:
- Highest salaries
- Corporate headquarters
- Strong economy
Cons:
- Less English-speaking environment
- No beach
Average Salary: €28,000-€40,000
Valencia
Best For: Teachers, tourism, lower cost of living
Pros:
- Lower cost of living
- Growing tech scene
- Beach city
- Good quality of life
Cons:
- Fewer English-speaking jobs
- Lower salaries
Average Salary: €22,000-€28,000
Teaching English in Spain
Demand: 4,400 searches/month - highest opportunity for native English speakers
NALCAP Program (Government Scheme)
- Teach in public schools
- 16 hours/week
- €1,000/month stipend
- October-May (8 months)
- Free time to tutor privately
Requirements:
- Native English speaker
- Bachelor’s degree (any field)
- No TEFL required
- Ages 18-60
Application: January-April for following school year
Private Language Schools
- Year-round opportunities
- 20-25 hours/week teaching
- €1,200-€1,800/month
- Often provide work visa support
Requirements:
- TEFL certificate (120+ hours)
- Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
- Native or fluent English
Complete Teaching English Guide →
Self-Employment (Autónomo)
Work as a freelancer or consultant in Spain.
Key Points
- Social Security: €294/month (flat rate for first 2 years for new autónomos)
- Income Tax: Quarterly payments (IRPF)
- VAT: Quarterly returns (21% standard rate)
- Invoicing: Must issue official invoices
Popular Freelance Fields
- Web development
- Graphic design
- Writing/content
- Consulting
- Online teaching
- Digital marketing
Costs
- Social security: €294/month (first 2 years)
- Accountant: €50-€150/month
- Total: ~€350-€450/month overhead
Need an accountant? Find Accountants for Autónomos →
Remote Work & Digital Nomads
Digital Nomad Visa (2023)
Spain launched a digital nomad visa for remote workers.
Requirements:
- Work remotely for non-Spanish companies
- Minimum income: €2,334/month (€28,000/year)
- Maximum 20% income from Spanish sources
- University degree or 3+ years professional experience
- Private health insurance
Benefits:
- 1 year initial visa (renewable up to 5 years)
- Bring family members
- Path to permanent residency
- 15% flat tax rate (first 4 years)
Best Cities for Digital Nomads
- Barcelona - Coworking spaces, tech community
- Madrid - Central location, infrastructure
- Valencia - Lower cost, good weather
- Malaga - Tech hub, sunny climate
- Gran Canaria - Year-round warmth, coworking scene
Get Help Finding Work
Recruitment Agencies
Connect with recruiters specializing in English-speaker placements.
Immigration Lawyers
Need a work visa? Immigration lawyers can help your employer navigate the sponsorship process.
Accountants
Setting up as autónomo? Get help with tax registration and compliance.
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