I wanted to introduce myself to all of you and get some useful information from anyone who is willing to provide it. My name is Lorena, I am an original N.Yer living in South Florda for the past 12 years. I am currently getting my Masters in Int?l Business Administration and am looking to move to Spain and work there after I am done. I still have about 1 year and a half left. My dad is from Cuba and my mom is from Nicaragua. I speak Spanish, but could use more practice which is what I’m currently doing because my boyfriend is Latin American. If anyone ever has any suggestions on what would be the easiest way for me to transition over there to Spain PLEASE let me know.
Is it better to work for an American company in Spain? If so, what is the best way for me to go about applying for a job like that?
I know I wouldn’t earn as much over there as over here, but that is fine with me. I am looking to live another life and after all the research I have done, Spain seems to meet the criteria’s I have been looking for.
-How would my work permit work with an American company? etc
-Which is the best city for me to transition to? I was thinking Barcelona from what I have read in this forum.
-Is it better for me to take my car or buy one over there, especially if Im still paying for it?
-What are some things that I need to prepare myself for once I move over there? etc….
It?s never too early to start networking 😉
Thanks to everyone and I am looking forward to speaking with all of you who are willing to help little ole me!
Hi Lorena,
I’ve seen a few of your posts around the forum and hadn’t yet welcomed you, so here you go: welcome!
As you might have noticed, it’s damn tough to get a work visa, no matter what your talents might be. With your latin american heritage you might be able to qualify for some other visa though. This is something I’ve heard rumours about: that Latin@s can qualify for different visas than Americans, Canadians, etc, due to Imperial ties or something. If you look into that and find out more about it then please let me know as I’m quite curious about it, as are, I’m sure, lots of others. There are tons of Argentin@s in Spain, and while many of them have Euro heritage - thus qualifying for an EU passport - I’d imagine there are other ways to get/stay in too.
American companies, as noted multiple times on the site, are not inclined to hire Americans unless they already have a work permit. Very few of them will sponsor you. It’s a catch 22 of course, and there are plenty of talented EU workers to meet the demand… Your best chance is to register yourself as autonomo and sponsor your own work visa.
Networking is going to be extremely helpful, so good on you for taking the initiative so early on. In Spain you’re much more likely to get a job from someone you know than by applying randomly to available positions. If people like you they’ll bring you into their fold. 😉
Don’t bring your car, that’s kinda ridiculous unless it’s rare/special… and even then expect it to get beaten up.
Barcelona kicks ass, but so do many other places in Spain. Bilbao (beautiful and green), Valencia (best beaches), Granada (history/culture/cheap), Sevilla (universities/culture/kinda cheap)... they all have good opportunities for young expats.
Thank you for your reply! Its so funny that you mention that about getting a visa because of ties of heritage because I was grilling my dad today about our heritage because he is Cuban and I was trying to see if we have ties to Spain so I can use that as a way to get a visa. MY Grandmother’s name is LEYVA which sounds Spanish to me. My GRANDFATHERS last name is FROMETA but the decendencies there are French from what I have talked to with my Cuban cousins.
Im gonna look into this as time progresses. If I get that autanomo visa how can I ever get a job once Im there though in a company with my degree?
As for the autonomo thing, a friend of mine consulted for a year as autonomo before they hired her… that’s an easy way. Also note that temp agencies (and there are tons of them) will hire you as autonomo - a great “in”.
Thanks for the tip!!! I hope SOMETHING works out, which I’m sure it will.
😊 I will defintely be keeping you up to date on things I do. By the way I jotted down the number to the Spanish Consulate in Miami. Do you think its wise if I go over there and try to ask them questions and network to see what my best bet is too? or they are not gonna give me pointers, advice, or extend a hand?
Thanks for the tip!!! I hope SOMETHING works out, which I’m sure it will.
😊 I will defintely be keeping you up to date on things I do. By the way I jotted down the number to the Spanish Consulate in Miami. Do you think its wise if I go over there and try to ask them questions and network to see what my best bet is too? or they are not gonna give me pointers, advice, or extend a hand?
What do you think?
If they are anything like the Spanish consulate in Toronto, they will tell you that you either need a work permit or a million dollars in the bank if you want to move to Spain. Don’t expect any help AT ALL.
So far, the best way I have found of moving to Spain is to go on a business visa. It costs about 4000 Euros to set up the business and get the residence permit. After that you need to contribute around 250 euros a month for social security payments. You can set yourself up as a business consultant and work with companies that way.
Lololiza hi there used to live in Sw Florda in Naples work there few years for few big tv radiostation andfew pubs the murphy on 5ht ave dj few years there
will you coming our way well hope you like here in spain
jurdy
So far from what I have been reading everywhere it seems like that is what most people are tending to do in my situation. If I do go there and get a business visa is that same as what they call Autonomo? And if so can I still apply to work for an American company if I am there on that visa? Or as long as i get a visa I will be fine to work wherever? Can you explain. And thanks for saving me a trip to Miami for no reason 😊 Maybe later on I will see about that but not now!
Jurdy,
Hi how are you! I’m glad you liked living in Florida. Where are you form originally and what brought you to Florida and Spain???
And if so can I still apply to work for an American company if I am there on that visa? Or as long as i get a visa I will be fine to work wherever?
Based on this type of arrangement, you should be fine to work anywhere. You are not their employee. You are another business. So, you are billing them for your work as a company. You invoice them, they pay you. From what I understand, it is similar to being an independent contractor here. You are responsible for making all your own social security, income tax payments etc.
Interesting, did you do that? How did that work for you or those you know who did it?
You are so helpful!!
Well, to be honest, I have not done this as of yet. But, I have been researching this for a while and after consulting with a law firm and other sources, that is what I have gathered about the process.
My situation is somewhat different from yours as I will not be looking for work while I am there. I run an internet based company from home. But, I have to go through this process even if I just want to live there without working.
The lawyers that I spoke to said that there is 99% success rate going through this route.
In your case, you might want to explore other options as well. Like maybe going through initially on a student visa. Register for some type of course and get a student visa. Once you are there you can contact companies directly and see if they will agree to give you a work permit. If you have an MBA and speak English and Spanish, then I think the chances of a company there being interested in hiring you and getting you a work permit are quite high.
So you think it is better for me to actually be in Spain already while looking for a job in an American company? That actually sounds like a good Idea to me, going on a student visa. But then how would I make money once I’m there? because you can’t work if you are on a Student Visa can you?
All in all, should I even bother to apply for positions here in the states, but located in Spain, or is that much harder than being in Spain and searching for the company myself once there?
Thanks for all your help and shedding light on some dark tunnels 😊
Hey, you know what of the things I’ve learned is that there aren’t many hard and fast rules or “best ways” when it comes to moving to Spain (especially for non-EU-ers). There are as many different ways to do it as there are expats out there. Regarding your questions I’d ask: how comfortable are you with breaking the law? In your situation it looks like you’re going to have to push the line of what’s legal and not legal no matter what.
Students aren’t often able to find jobs (although they seem to have it easier than those without a visa at all) except in teaching English. If that’s what you want to do then you’ll be better off trying to score the student visa (you can always cancel your classes right? Or just not go…). Another thing I’ve learned: expats are not always going to follow the letter of the law.
If you’re in a business degree, why not start your own company and do some “consulting?” Isn’t that a bit more up your alley?
But then how would I make money once I’m there? because you can’t work if you are on a Student Visa can you?
As Expatriator stated, you can work under the table teaching English. The advantage you have that is you speak English and Spanish. This would give you an advantage over most others looking to teach English.
All in all, should I even bother to apply for positions here in the states, but located in Spain, or is that much harder than being in Spain and searching for the company myself once there?
I don’t think there is any harm in applying to companies in the States for for their Spanish offices. You are more qualified than most, so there is a possibility of finding a position. Also, why limit yourself to US companies. Send your resumes off to European companies as well.
Of course, being on the ground and contacting these companies is Spain is preferable, but if you have the time, I say get your resume out to as many companies as possible.
If you’re in a business degree, why not start your own company and do some “consulting?” Isn’t that a bit more up your alley?
That is one of the other options I suggested to her. However, there is an upfront cost of about 4000 Euros to go through this process. At least that is the quotes I have received. This includes forming the company and getting the residence permit. And then a social security contribution of about 250 euros a month. I think that has to be paid, whether you get any work or not. Going on a student visa might avoid some of that.
Wow, 4,000 is a lot of money… Well, you know, I will still be applying to AMerican and Eurpopean companies once and try to network before I actually graduate. hopefully that can be my ticket to work and live in Spain. The student idea does sound interesting, but I don’t want to really teach English. I want to just work with my degree. The only thing is that I have read so far that finding someone to sponsor you can be quite hard to do. I will try to be as persistent as possible and see if I can network my way into a company so I can work over there. Lets see…
If I, on a student visa, start looking for jobs why won’t I be able to find one with a good academic and work experience background?
Do companies not look for prospective workers with Student Visas?
