Minimum wage in Spain I Yobbers
Spain is a popular destination due to its warm climate, Mediterranean lifestyle, bustling cities and beautiful islands. And let’s not forget the delicious tapas, paella and sangria! Working for a while in this country sounds fantastic, right? However, it is of course important to prepare for your experience abroad so you know what you can expect. Therefore, we will tell you everything about the minimum wage in Spain in this blog.
Jobs in Spain
Spain offers a wide range of job opportunities. Some holiday jobs in Spain include working as a lifeguard or animator but you can also work as an all-round employee in a hotel. If you want to stay in Spain for longer you can work in customer service or account management for example.
Minimum wage in Spain
The minimum wage is a crucial aspect to consider when applying for a job abroad. The minimum wage in Spain is referred to as ‘Salario Mínimo Interprofesional’ (SMI), which sets the lowest legal salary that employers must pay to their employees. As of 2023, the monthly gross minimum wage in Spain is €1080. This amount is based on 14 monthly payments (two additional payments in June and December) per year, excluding any extra payments or bonuses. It is worth noting that the Spanish government regularly reviews and adjusts the minimum wage to keep up with economic conditions and ensure workers' well-being.
Comparison to the UK
To provide context for UK citizens, it's essential to compare the minimum wage in Spain to that of the United Kingdom. As of April 2021, the minimum wage in the UK varies depending on age and is set at £8.91 per hour for workers aged 23 and over. While the UK's hourly minimum wage appears higher, it's important to consider the cost of living, social security benefits, and labour market conditions in each country when evaluating the overall impact on employees' lives.
Factors affecting the minimum wage
There are various factors that affect how the minimum wage is set in Spain. Things like the country's economy, inflation rates, collective bargaining agreements, and discussions between trade unions, employers' groups, and the government all play a role. When adjusting the minimum wage, the Spanish government also takes into account the advice of the National Commission for the Minimum Wage. This commission includes representatives from both employees and employers, which helps ensure a fair and balanced approach to deciding the wage level.
Cost of living in Spain
As explained in this blog, it is important to consider the cost of living, to understand why the minimum wage is higher or lower compared to other countries. In Spain, several crucial expenses are significantly lower compared to the UK. Among others:
- Housing: The cost of housing, both in terms of rent and property prices, is often lower in Spain compared to the UK. Whether renting an apartment or buying a home, individuals may find more affordable options in Spain.
- Groceries: The overall cost of groceries and food items is lower in Spain. Local markets, supermarkets, and smaller stores offer a wide range of affordable products.
- Public Transport: Public transportation costs are generally more affordable in Spain. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia offer efficient public transport systems with reasonably priced tickets, making it convenient and economical to travel around. The Spanish government is stimulating the use of public transport, and therefore there are initiatives regularly to make it cheaper or even completely free. This is worth checking out, as these initiatives are also accessible to non-Spanish citizens.
Besides these crucial expenses are entertainment and leisure, eating out, and shopping also affordable in Spain. So don’t worry about the lower minimum wage in Spain!
FAQs
1. How do I find accommodation in Spain?
Take a look at our blogs on Valencia and/or Barcelona for useful tips and recommended websites when searching for accommodation in Spain! It's worth noting that some employers in Spain may offer accommodation if you start working for them. Explore the available positions which provide (temporary) housing here.
2. How do I find jobs in Spain?
You can find a job in Spain through the usual channels such as Google and LinkedIn. However, the process of finding a job abroad might be a bit more complicated compared to finding a job in your home country. This is why Yobbers exists! Yobbers makes the process easier for job seekers, completely free! Check out our current open positions here.
3. Do I need to speak Spanish to find a job in Spain?
Having a basic knowledge of Spanish is recommended. Since not all Spaniards speak English, you may encounter situations where speaking Spanish is necessary. However, there's no need to worry as our current job openings in Spain do not typically require fluency in Spanish. In most cases, proficiency in English is sufficient, and occasionally, knowledge of an additional (native) language may be required.
4. Do I need a working visa in Spain?
It depends on your country of origin if you need a working visa or not. Check out our blog about working visas or our blog specifically for British citizens.
Now you have all the knowledge you need about the minimum wage in Spain, it is time to start searching for a job! In which place in Spain do you want to live? Discover all the possibilities here! 🌴🇪🇸