AN increasing number of people are now moving to Spain to live and work.
EU citizens can work in Spain without a work permit and without having to apply for residencia.
All you will need is to get a NIE number.
For that, you need to go to the extranjeros department at your nearest comisaria (the police station for the national police force, not the local police).
You will need to take your passport.
The forms are fairly straightforward and you will have your number within two to six weeks of applying.
Obtaining a contract of at least six months from your employer will guarantee you the same rights as a Spanish employee.
Temporary contracts are generally offered for three, six or nine months.
After this contract expires, the employer has to offer a long term contract to keep you on.
They are not allowed to keep offering you short-term contracts.
EU citizens can work in Spain without a work permit and without having to apply for residencia.
All you will need is to get a NIE number.
For that, you need to go to the extranjeros department at your nearest comisaria (the police station for the national police force, not the local police).
You will need to take your passport.
The forms are fairly straightforward and you will have your number within two to six weeks of applying.
Obtaining a contract of at least six months from your employer will guarantee you the same rights as a Spanish employee.
Temporary contracts are generally offered for three, six or nine months.
After this contract expires, the employer has to offer a long term contract to keep you on.
They are not allowed to keep offering you short-
Spanish Social Security contributions start as soon as you start working in Spain.
Employer and employee contributions constitute the main social security financing.
However, the employer pays the greater share.
Personnel are classified into labour categories for the purpose of determining their social security contributions, and the government establishes the maximum and minimum contribution rate.
The Spanish Security System includes benefits for health care (sickness or maternity), injuries at work, unemployment, pensions, invalidity and death benefits.
Working legally self-employed, known as autonomo, you have to pay all your own taxes and social security payments.
To become autonomo, you will need the services of a gestor (similar to an accountant).
They will register you with Hacienda (the tax office) as being self employed and will do your quarterly and annual accounts.
Make sure you choose a good, English speaking gestoria as you will be relying on them to work out your IVA (VAT) and tax returns.
In Spain, you do not need a VAT number as your NIE number will be your equivalent.
Employer and employee contributions constitute the main social security financing.
However, the employer pays the greater share.
Personnel are classified into labour categories for the purpose of determining their social security contributions, and the government establishes the maximum and minimum contribution rate.
The Spanish Security System includes benefits for health care (sickness or maternity), injuries at work, unemployment, pensions, invalidity and death benefits.
Working legally self-
To become autonomo, you will need the services of a gestor (similar to an accountant).
They will register you with Hacienda (the tax office) as being self employed and will do your quarterly and annual accounts.
Make sure you choose a good, English speaking gestoria as you will be relying on them to work out your IVA (VAT) and tax returns.
In Spain, you do not need a VAT number as your NIE number will be your equivalent.
Each quarter, you must present your invoices (payments in and out) to your gestoria so they can work out your IVA bill and your tax bill.
At the end of the year everything is totalled up to see whether you owe additional tax or are due a rebate.
One monthly payment you must make every month if you are autonomo is your social security contribution.
Currently this is a minimum 241 euros per month.
This is like your national insurance contribution in the UK. However, unlike in the UK, it is compulsory here.
You can opt to pay a higher level,which will give you a higher pension.
At the end of the year everything is totalled up to see whether you owe additional tax or are due a rebate.
One monthly payment you must make every month if you are autonomo is your social security contribution.
Currently this is a minimum 241 euros per month.
This is like your national insurance contribution in the UK. However, unlike in the UK, it is compulsory here.
You can opt to pay a higher level,which will give you a higher pension.
Your social security payments will entitle you to the same state services as a Spanish person such as free health care.
Should you be dismissed from your Spanish job, and do not agree to the reasons, you can make a demand for conciliation within 20 days of receiving the dismissal.
There is no presentation of evidence here and as so relies on an agreement being reached between the two parties.
If one is not reached you may then bring a case in the labour court.
If your dismissal is found to be unjust you will receive 45 days compensation for every year worked.
The above is currently the law applying to working in Spain these are subject to change, we will try and keep the information as up to date as possible.
Should you have any specific questions please do email us
