Work to Live (or Play) in Spain

Spain, the second largest country in Europe, is so diverse there is something for everyone. Spain is located in southwestern Europe in the Iberian Peninsula. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean to the east and to the south, Portugal to the west, the Atlantic to the southwest, and France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay to the north. The Balearic and Canary Islands are also part of Spain.

Whether you enjoy the beach, mountains, dry plains, tropical climates, skiing, trekking, long sandy beaches, hidden rocky coves, crisp cold mornings, long warm evenings, sitting by a warm fire watching it snow or sitting on a deckchair in the sun, sleepy rural villages, or some of Europe’s most modern cities, it’s there for you. Modern and affordable public transportation make seeing the entire country comfortable and within reach of everyone.

The Spanish people are fun loving and family-oriented. Bars open late, eating out is cheap and people are generally very relaxed. Spain is child-friendly too: on an ordinary Saturday night in most cities you’ll find everyone from young children to grandparents on the streets and in restaurants having a good time. Since the Spanish birthrate is low, children are doted on and grow up in a caring, multi-cultural environment. There is a wide range of educational options, from Spanish public schools to British schools to completely bilingual schools. Children also have the opportunity to experience extended family life, since older folk in Spain usually remain in the family home, instead of moving into nursing homes.

The cost of living in Spain is somewhat lower than the rest of the EU, and taxes are also lower. EU citizens have the same job rights and privileges as Spanish citizens, and they can work as freelancers or start their own companies in the same way as Spaniards do. Health care is universal and of high quality, although the wait for an appointment can be long.

Of course, there are downsides to living in Spain. It can be difficult for non-EU residents to get a visa to live and work in Spain. The national telecommunications company seems to be a throwback to Roman times. The bureaucracy is maddening, you can wait hours for service even in big stores and there is no point at all in trying to tie a Spanish plumber or electrician down to a particular time or even day.

All that said, the general attitude that life is meant to be lived instead of suffered, along with the advantages of being surrounded by one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, make Spain a very appealing place to live.

Spain is characterized as being:
A relatively new democracy | On the death of General Franco in 1975, Spain was restored to a parliamentary democracy. Later, in 1978, a new constitution established Spain’s parliamentary monarchy.

Fun-loving and family-oriented | The Spanish people work hard and alternatively play hard with family playing an important role in most leisure and recreational activities.

Independent and proud | Spain recognizes and respects the diversity found within its own borders, allowing each regional government to operate autonomously.