Spain has much to offer for the younger generation:
1. Easy access – By air, Spain is less than 3 hours away from many European countries and there are also many cheap airlines offering flights to and from Spain.
2. Communications – Spain offers good telecommunications including high speed Broadband. This gives people the opportunity to keep their job in another country and to be working in Spain at home, via the Internet.
3. A good healthcare system – The Spanish healthcare system is the seventh best healthcare system in the world and is free to those working in Spain, either employed or self-employed, who make social security contributions.
4. Cheap cost of living – Compared to countries like the UK, property prices and the cost of living are significantly lower in Spain, allowing workers to have a better standard of life, especially if they are being paid salaries in another country.
5. Good education – Spain has a good education system and there are also many international and foreign schools available in Spain.
6. Family – The family unit is valued in Spain and children are welcomed everywhere. People go out and entertain as a family.
7. Lifestyle – You can enjoy a great outdoor life in Spain because of its wonderful climate. Enjoy outdoor sports, sunbathing and barbecuing all year round. Children can enjoy playing outside and swimming in outdoor pools more often than back home.
Like many countries, Spain does have quite a high level of unemployment at the moment. Don't think that you can just move to Spain and get a job really quickly, or survive on your savings until you start working in Spain. If you need to find a job in Spain to survive, learn Spanish while you are in your home country. Knowing some Spanish will give you a much wider choice of jobs even in popular immigrant areas. Remember that Spanish wages are lower than those of many countries and, although Spain has a cheaper cost of living, you may not be any better off if you have to work in Spain.
If you are an EU citizen, you are free to move within the EU and work anywhere in the EU without having to apply for visas and permits. However, if you are from outside the EU, you may need to get the appropriate visa and permit from the Spanish Consulate in your home country before moving. Do not plan a move to Spain without getting information and advice from the Consulate.
If you have a trade like plumbing, or electricians qualifications or training, you may be able to run a successful business in areas with a large expat community who want to use tradespeople who speak their own language. Always do thorough research on whether there is a market for your skills before moving and taking the plunge. These days, it is simple to search on the Internet.
If you are going to be self-employed in Spain or working from home, you will need to get the advice of a qualified tax adviser and get the help of a gestor to help you register your business and register for social security.
Whether you are planning to be employed in Spain or self-employed, do not do anything without getting good advice.
