Want to get hired in Spain without knowing Spanish? Here's how

5 ways to get a job in Spain as a non-Spanish speaker

Are you looking to enjoy the culture, lower cost of living, and great weather year round in Spain but don’t speak Spanish? Don’t worry! It might seem challenging. But it’s not impossible.

And that’s because there are plenty of companies that don’t require applicants to be fluent in Spanish. Instead, they’re happy to hire people who can demonstrate their competency through another language.

Depending on your particular skill set, this could make things easier on you. After all, the majority of jobs in Spain require fluency in one of their official languages (i.e French, English, German and so on). 

This guide aims to give you an insight into how the Spanish job market works and which opportunities will suit you as an expat who isn’t fluent in Spanish:

The Spanish job market for expats

For an expat, the first challenge when looking for a job in Spain is finding opportunities that you’re able to apply for. There are plenty of websites that list Spanish job opportunities, but you’ll want to make sure you’re looking at websites that cater to expats. 

There are some websites aimed at Spanish nationals, but these will be in Spanish and will therefore be pretty difficult for a non-Spanish speaker to navigate. 

Luckily there are many companies in Spain that look for foreigners to work in their native language. So with websites like City Job Offers, you can find jobs in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Malaga and not have to know Spanish.

1. Jobs that don’t require Spanish fluency

If you’re not a fluent Spanish speaker but you still want to work in Spain, you’ll definitely want to look at the job categories that don’t require a knowledge of Spanish.

Sectors like sales, marketing, customer service, IT, or even more specific roles like content moderators or UX UI designers offer job opportunities to work in languages like German, Dutch, French, Polish, Italian, and so on.

Part-time jobs are also a great option as you can work comfortably in your first language and have more time to take Spanish classes or just enjoy the laid back life in Spain.

2. Choosing the right company to work for

Finding an employer that doesn’t require fluency in Spanish can be helpful, but you also want to make sure you’re working for a company that treats their employees fairly.

In order to make sure you’ve found a good company, you’ll want to look at the following factors: 

• • What is the company’s salary and benefits package like? This will give you an idea of the company’s overall standard of living.
  • How do they treat their employees? You can learn a lot about a company by reading reviews from current and former employees. 
  • Is the company growing? You want to be part of a company that is investing in the future and has a good growth path ahead of them.

3. Pro tip: Get your foot in the door with your language skill

Your first language is your biggest asset. Companies like Google Ads, Netflix, Adidas, Nintendo, and more are looking for workers coming from Norway, Germany, Belgium, England, Netherlands, and all over Europe to work in their mother tongue. 

This can also help you receive better job offers and more benefits as companies will work hard to convince you to join them. The job market is very competitive so this can result in a potential employer covering your relocation costs, allowing you to work remotely, higher salaries, and so on.

4. English is key

You can find work in Spain without having to be fluent in Spain but it’s important to know a certain level of English. Many jobs will require at least a B1 or B2 level of English apart from your own native language. Plus, you may need to speak to colleagues or clients from other countries in English. 

You may need to know some Spanish to communicate with some coworkers but in general, these organizations are very diverse and international; so it’d be hard to find someone that doesn’t speak some level of English. 

For some jobs like IT for example, English is the main language spoken. So if that’s your sector then you most likely won’t need to worry about knowing Spanish. Plus most IT jobs allow you to work remotely.

5. City Job Offers

You can look at job boards online or you can check out job opportunities abroad with City Job Offers. You’ll even have an expert recruiter who speaks your native language to guide you through the whole process. 

Why?

• • It’s free. 
  • You can find jobs in some of the most exciting cities in Spain.  
  • Work in your own native language. 
  • We have remote and hybrid jobs.
  • Most are entry-level jobs or don’t require much experience. 
  • Some have relocation packages, meaning all expenses paid. You just have to enjoy your new experience.

So what are you waiting for? Your next job in Spain is just a click away!

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