Spain is a great place in which to live and work and many young people are now relocating to Spain for a better quality of life and standard of living. It is easy for EU citizens to relocate because EU law means that EU citizens can move freely between EU states, without the need for visas and work permits. US citizens, and others from outside the EU, will have to apply at their Spanish Consulate for the necessary visas and permits.

In Spain, you may be able to do something similar to what you are already doing. Qualifications obtained in Europe should be recognized in Spain, as long as you can prove that you have them. When you relocate, make sure that you take certificates, diplomas, references, copies of your CV and all relevant documentation.

Popular work for people relocating to Spain are:

Seasonal work, like bar work, in tourist destinations such as the Costa Blanca and other coastal regions or big cities.

1. TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language. There are many language schools on the coast and in the major cities and, if you have a TEFL qualification, you may be able to get a contract teaching in one of them. Apply before you leave your home country.
2. Building work – Due to Spain's popularity with immigrants, new houses have been built at a very fast rate and building work and laboring work has been easy to find. However, in these times of the Credit Crunch in the UK and financial instability in the US, building work is becoming harder to find.
3. Freelance work – Web designers, graphic artists, writers, and translators are just a few people who can work freelance with the help of their computer and the internet.
4. Trades – Plumbers and electricians are quite often successful in expat areas.

Some people don't change jobs at all when they relocate, they simply carry on working for the same company, working from home via phone and internet, or they relocate to the Spanish headquarters. If you work for a large company ask if there is any possibility of this. Other people buy a business or start their own business from home.

Here are some tips on working in Spain:

• Find a job before you move – Use the internet to search for jobs in Spain, apply and make sure you have a contract before you make the big step of moving to Spain and buying property in Spain.
• Don't work for cash in hand – Legally, your employer should offer you at least a short-term contract. Working for cash will not give you any protection, rights or benefits like healthcare.
• Social Security – If you are employed, your employer should register you for tax and social security. If you are self-employed, it is your responsibility to register for tax and social security, as well as registering your business with your local council. It is easier to hire a gestor to handle the bureaucracy for you, so that everything is done correctly. A gestor will also be able to register your business for IVA (VAT). Joining the social security system allows you to join the Spanish healthcare system and your contributions cover you and any dependents.
• Research and Plan – If you are going to be self-employed in Spain, make sure that there is a market in Spain and that you are likely to make enough to live on. However low the cost of living, you still need an income!
• If you are buying a business, look carefully at the accounts, ask around about the success of the business and do some market research – don't trust what the seller or agent say.

These are just a few tips on working in Spain to help you when considering relocating. Do thorough research and get good advice before moving. Don't act on a whim.