Hello!

I’m trying to brainstorm ideas to find a LEGAL way to live and work in Madrid, Spain. I’ve lived there four times and taught English as well as occupied a Director of Studies program in Madrid for a total of two years, so I know how this stuff works. As to the papers issue, I have heard the following answers already as solution to the sticky problem Americans have in trying to work legally there. We must do one of the following:

1) Marry an EU citizen
2) Study at one of the universities there
3) Get hired as a cleaning lady (yes, apparently you can get someone to sponsor you as their chica de limpieza if they’re earning 2000 euros or more per month)

I need to know what else people have heard. I had two successful interviews in April with ESL companies in Madrid who were all set to hire me, but in the past week both have caved in, telling me that the process has (suddenly) become too difficult and complicated. I’m an ESL professional who has had three years experience teaching but who has also worked as a Director of Studies in two different companies, a Materials Developer, and as a Teacher Trainer. It seems to make no difference how much experience I’ve had or how skilled I am (I’m also highly proficient in Spanish).

Any thoughts from anyone who’s gone about this in a way other than what I’ve heard?

Thanks!
Katie