1. INTRODUCTION
Spain is a member state of the European Union. The European Economic Area (EEA) is formed by the countries of the European Union together with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Spain has a population of approximately 40 and a half million inhabitants, and counts with a surface area of 504.782 Km2, which converts it into the second largest state of the EEA, after France. Its territory covers a large part of the Iberian Peninsula, a Mediterranean archipelago (Balearic Islands), another insular group situated off the western coast of Africa (Canary Islands), and the territories under Spanish sovereignty in the north of Africa (Ceuta and Melilla). The Spanish State is formed by 17 Autonomous Communities divided into 50 provinces, in addition to the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The capital city of Spain is Madrid. Other important cities are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza and Bilbao.
The largest percentage of foreign residents with respects to the resident Spanish population is concentrated in the Islands (>4%), followed by Navarra, La Rioja, Catalonia, Community of Valencia, Murcia and Madrid, which have figures between 2% and 4% (INE, December-2000).

Language
In all of Spain Castilian (Spanish) is spoken. However, if you are going to establish yourself in any of the following Autonomous Communities: Galicia, Catalonia, Balearic Islands or the Basque Country it is convenient that you speak their own regional language - Galician, Catalan (in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands) or Basque- which are co-official languages together with Spanish in each one of these regions.
Without being official, there also exist in Spain other vernacular languages of a minority use.
They are Bable or Asturian, Leonese, Aragonese and Aranese.

Speaking only English, German or French it is very difficult to find work in Spain, except for occasional jobs in some tourist areas of the islands or on the coast.

Currency
The monetary unit is force is, since 1-01-2002, the euro, which finally replaced the peseta on the 1-03-2002.

Time Zone
In the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands we have central European time, that is, one hour more than Greenwich mean time, while the time zone of the Canary Islands coincides with Greenwich.

International telephone calls
From overseas: - 34 - number of the subscriber, 9 digits.
Calling overseas from Spain: - 00 - country code - city code - number of the subscriber.
To make a reverse charge call from Spain it is necessary to dial 1008.
If you have any doubts, from Spain you can dial 1003 and request the national information that
you require. If you require international information you must dial 025.
In public thoroughfares you will find numerous telephone booths with the instructions on how
to use same. From them it will be possible to make direct calls, or via the operator. Many of
these urban telephones admit, besides coins, the following cards as a means of payment:
telephone cards of 6 and 12 Euros, sold in tobacconists and post offices; Personal Cards issued
by the Telephone Company, and American Express and Diners Club Cards.

Postal System
The purchase of stamps for the mailing your letters and postcards is effected in tobacconists and post offices. It is convenient that you correctly inform the person serving you of the destination and characteristics of the package, so that they may inform you of the correct amount of stamps that you require. There are letter boxes in the public thoroughfares, perfectly identified, where you will be able to deposit your letters. For sending small postal packages, (for overseas deliveries they must not exceed 2 kg.), go to the nearest post office.
There they will inform you of the tariff to be paid, which will depend on the weight, destination and transport used (air or surface).

Emergency services
General assistance, emergencies of a vital nature: 112 (or press the red key, if the telephone has one)
Assistance on the road: 900 12 35 05
National Police: 091. Local Police: 092
Civil Protection: 1006
Civil Guard. Emergencies: 062
Sanitary Emergencies: 061
Red Cross. Emergencies: 91 335 45 45 (national number)
Fire Department: It is a service provided by the local administration or by the Autonomous
Community, hence the number is different for each city (Madrid: 91 588 91 11, Barcelona: 93 291 53 53)

FREE CIRCULATION OF WORKERS
The citizens of the EEA may freely travel, settle and work in any member country, enjoying the same rights as the nationals of their country of choice. This free circulation also extends to their families, whatever their nationality.
Consequently, if you are a national of any of these countries you have access in Spain to any labour activity, both as a self-employed worker as well as employee working for third parties, without the need to request a work permit, and having the same rights as the Spanish workers with regards to salaries, working conditions, housing access, professional training, social security or union membership.
As a community citizen, to enter Spain all you need is a valid identification document or passport. If you are to remain in the country for a period in excess of 3 months, you must request a residential card, to accredit your situation as a community worker.

Residential Permits
This permit is guaranteed both for self-employed workers as well as those that work for others. However, in the event that you are a student, inactive or a pensioner, its issuance is conditioned to you proving that you will not be an economic and / or social burden for the Spanish State.
You must request the residential permit within the term of one month as from the date of entry into Spain, at the Foreigner’s Office of the province where you are going to establish your residence or where you are to carry out your economic or labour activity, or, failing this, at the Provincial Police Station. The validity of the permit varies depending on the collective to which you belong and the duration of your stay in Spain.
You may obtain more information on this subject by dialling 900 150 000 (the number of the Ministry of the Interior for telephone enquiries, free call) or, 00 34 91 537 24 23, from overseas.
Before travelling to Spain, it is convenient to request information from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your country with regards to your specific situation.
(http://www.mae.es/mae/textos/embajadas/relalf.htm)
Upon your arrival, it is convenient for you to register yourself at the Embassy or Consulate of
your country, informing them of your address in Spain.
(http://www.mae.es/mae/textos/misiones/default.htm)

3. LABOUR MARKET:
From 1996 to 2000, the Spanish economy maintained a constant growth rate (4,1% in 2000), surpassing the average percentage rate of the EU by more than 1,1 points. Said growth was accompanied by a job creation rate that was significantly much faster (3,7 versus 1,3%), and by an intense economic modernisation and internationalisation process.

Despite the fact that in 2001 this growth rate decreased, in part due to a worsening of the international situation, it remained, however, one point above the percentage of the Euro zone. (“The Spanish Economy”. Ministry for Economics, October 2001) With regards to the performance of the labour market, the keys have been the maintenance of the creation of jobs and a continued decrease in unemployment since 1996, to figures that are closer to the EU rate (14,1% versus 8,2% in 2000; 13,1% versus 7,7% in 2001), the Spanish rate maintaining itself, however, as the highest unemployment rate of the EU. This evolution of unemployment has detained itself and even inverted its direction during the last months.
(“Spain in figures 2001”. INE)
By autonomous communities, Navarra, Balearic Islands, Aragon, Rioja and Catalonia have the lowest u nemployment rates. Andalucia, Ceuta and Melilla and Extremadura present the highest unemployment rates, with magnitudes in excess of 20%.
(“Spain in figures 2001”. INE)

Youth unemployment is very high, with an unemployment rate above the national rate.
(“Spain in figures 2001”. INE)
By sectors, the service sector is the one that counts with the greatest number of workers, although it registers variations during the different stages of the year, given that there is a high level of temporariness in employment, particularly in Tourism and Catering, and Services to companies. In the industrial sector it is much more stable, although the number of workers is much lower. Construction has registered a continued increase in employment after a few years of strong expansion and a period of stability. In agriculture, as occurs with Services, variability is observed in the occupation rates during the different seasons of the year, depending on the agricultural activity to be carried out.
(“Spain in figures 2001”. INE)

The most industrialised regions are Rioja and Navarra. With regards to agricultural production, Galicia and Extremadura stand out, and with respects to Services, Ceuta and Melilla, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and the Autonomous Community of Madrid.

4. FINDING WORK IN SPAIN
Despite the progressive decrease since 1996, the unemployment rate in Spain continues to be the highest in the UE. Finding work is not an easy task, you must use all the resources available (acquaintances, family, press, information centres, professional associations...) as well as the
EURES network, and a good dosage of imagination and creativity.
Employment Offices
The Spanish employment Services, state and regional, have a network of employment offices, and the placement services of these may be used by all categories of workers.
On the Internet
http://www.inem.es.
The community citizens have the same rights as Spanish nationals. As long as you are sixteen years old you can use the services of the Employment Offices; to use these services it is simply necessary to present your valid identification document or passport, and have an address.
They will inform you, free of charge, about job offers, measures aimed at promoting employment, occupational professional training, processing of benefits and subsidies, etc.
Once you have carried out your registration you will need to periodically renew your request within the stipulated terms and notify the authorities of any modification of your personal and professional characteristics.
You can find the addresses of the Employment Offices of the state employment service at (http://www.inem.es), or of the corresponding offices of the regional employment services (in the autonomous communities where employment has been transferred) in the Telephone Guide or on the
Internet (http://www.inem.es), given that there is at least one in all the provincial capitals and in many Spanish cities. Go to the Office that corresponds to you depending on your place of residence.

If you have applied for the transfer of benefits from your country, you must register yourself in the Employment Office that corresponds to you, within 7 days after leaving your country.
EURES (European Employment Services), is a cooperation network established by the European Commission, the national Employment Services of the Member States, Norway and Iceland, and (in the case of border areas) the organisations that represent the social interlocutors, that facilitates the access to the employment offers, counts with a database on job offers in these 17 countries and another database with information of a general nature on the living and working conditions in said countries.
It may be useful for you to contact the EURES network in your country. Obtain information for the Public Employment Service. They will provide you with information on job offers in Spain and other information of interest for deciding and / or developing your mobility project. At http://www.inem.es you will be able find the addresses of the Spanish EURES advisers and correspondents. You will find general information on the EURES network on the Internet http://europa.eu.int/jobs/eures and on European employment offers at http://www.eures-jobs.com

Temporary employment agencies
They are private companies that facilitate temporary employment by contracting workers and then transferring their services to other companies.
The names and addresses can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Telephone Guide, in the section “Temporary Employment Agencies”, in the registry of the Ministry for Labour and Social Services or Internet as ETT (Empresas de Trabajo Temporal - Temporary Employment
Agencies) http://www.mtas.es/empleo/ett-OIA/inicio.htm
Non-profit placement Agencies
Apart from the employment offices, it is also possible to request work at placement agencies. In this case you will have to pay a fee for the services rendered, amount that is limited to the costs arisen.

To obtain information on the addresses of these agencies, ask at your Employment Office, you can also find them on the Internet, through the Web site of the INEM (Other Information / Placement Agencies) http: www.inem.es
The Media: Press, Radio and TV
More than one hundred newspapers are published in Spain. The majority of the provincial newspapers do not count with very large print runs, if you compare them with the enormous diffusion of the newspapers from Madrid or Barcelona, that distribute their editions throughout all of Spain and overseas. Amongst these important newspapers we find "ABC", "El Mundo" in Madrid and "La Vanguardia" in Barcelona. All of them have a daily section dedicated to job offers, although it is in their Sunday editions where the most job offers can be found.
However, the regional and local newspapers also have a Classifieds section where it is possible to find job offers.

The German, English or French language newspapers that are published in the principal tourist areas in Spain also offer a list of job offers, where the knowledge of foreign languages is usually an essential requirement for the posts. The international press likewise usually publishes job offers for Spain, although these are principally directed for professional, technical or executive personnel. The professional newspapers and magazines available in the EEA may also constitute a source of useful information on work in Spain, particularly if they have a section specialised on Job
Offers.

Four important radio stations, with conventional content: RNE, SER, COPE and ONDA CERO, broadcast in all the provinces of Spain. Furthermore, there exists an elevated number of stations that broadcast locally and regionally, which have employment programs which transmit job offers.

The Television model in force in Spain combines the presence of public channels and private channels. (Spanish Television), with two channels, and the televisions dependent on the Autonomous Administrations. This is the case of Telemadrid; ETB, in the Basque Country; TV3, in Catalonia; TVG, in Galicia; Canal 9, in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, and Canal Sur, in Andalucia. The private television stations, which broadcast nationally, are: Antena 3, Tele 5 and Canal Plus. The programme “Aqu­ hay trabajo” (Here there is work) is widely known, programme that is broadcast Monday to Friday at 9,30 hours on TV2:

Professional Associations and Unions
Other sources of information are the professional associations and unions, if you are affiliated to any (in Spain the number of those affiliated is very low). They may have contacts in Spain and facilitate you with information that may be useful in finding the job you wish. Chambers of Commerce

The Chambers of Commerce (Official Chamber of Commerce and Industry) both in your country and in Spain are also possible sources of information. You may contact with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in your country or with:
Superior Council of the Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation in Spain
Tel.: 00 34 91 5906900
Fax: 00 34 91 5906908
http://www.camerdata.es/

SOCIAL SECURITY, HEALTH AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The Spanish public administration guarantees social protection through several of its organisms. The National Institute for Social Security (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social - INSS) administers the pensions, invalidity and economic benefits derived from professional sickness and work accidents, temporary work incapacity, maternity…. The National Employment Institute (Instituto Nacional de Empleo - INEM) is entrusted with the
administration of the unemployment benefits. The Social Institute of the Marina (Instituto Social de la Marina - ISM) is in charge of the social protection of the sea workers and the merchant marines, and the Institute for Migrations and Social Services (Instituto de Migraciones y Servicios Sociales - IMSERSO) provides additional assistance and social services, assistance to emigrants and social assistance of a non contribution nature. All these organisms are dependent on the Ministry for Labour and Social Services, together with the General Treasury of the Social Security (Tesorera General de la Seguridad Social - TSS), which solely takes care of the collection of taxes and the control of the affiliation. The National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de la Salud - INSALUD), dependent on the Ministry of Health and

Consumption, and the corresponding organisms of the Autonomous Communities where these powers have been transferred, are responsible for health assistance.
Throughout your travels in Spain you must take into account the following forms, regularised in the EU, that you may obtain in the corresponding Social Security organism in your country.
Series E100 - To have a right to receive sickness, maternity and displacement benefits Series E200 - For the calculation and payment of pensions
Series E300 - For the right to receive unemployment benefits Series E400 - For the right to receive family benefits You can obtain information on the Spanish Social Security system and its dual affiliation system:
General regime or system (those employed in industry and services) and Special Regimes (agriculture, self employed, miners, fishermen and house workers) on the Internet
http://www.seg-social.es.

Health
Medical assistance in Spain is provided by the National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de la Salud - INSALUD).
Before commencing your trip, request information from the corresponding Social Security in your country. They will provide a form (E111 if you travel on vacation or business purposes, E119 if you are unemployed searching for work) that gives you the right to receive free health
benefits in the event of an accident or sudden sickness.
If you are working for others, and hence contribute to the Spanish Social Security system, you will receive a Social Security Card, on which appears your personal details and an affiliation number that gives you the right to receive free medical and hospital treatment within the Spanish health system. This system also covers 40% of the cost of medical prescriptions. The only dental treatments covered by the social security system are the extractions.
At the local offices of the National Health Institute (INSALUD) in Spain you will be able to obtain a list of all the national health centres and hospitals.
(http://www.msc.es/insalud/directorio/centros.htm http://www.msc.es/centros/catalogo/home.htm)
You may obtain private medical cover by directing yourself to a company in your country or one of the many private medical companies existing in Spain and which appear in the Yellow Pages as "Medical Companies".
If you require further information contact the INSS or INSALUD:
National Institute for Social Security (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social)
Tel.: 91 568 83 00 http://www.seg-social.es
National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de la Salud)
MADRID
Tel.: 91 338 00 00
http://www.msc.es/insalud/

Unemployment benefits
The Spanish system of Unemployment Benefits is administered by the INEM. If you are unemployed while in Spain, contact your local Employment Office, who will provide you with information on the manner in which you must claim the unemployment benefits.
Exportation of unemployment benefits If you are receiving unemployment benefits or subsidies in your country or any other country of the EEA, you can export them to another Member State, while you search for employment in the latter country, during a maximum period of 3 months; for this you will be required to have been at the disposition of the Public Employment Service of your country of origin, at least during four weeks, notify same of your actual departure date and register yourself in the Spanish Public Employment Service (INEM) within a period of 7 days as from your departure from the first Member State. You must bring with you the form E303 that will be issued by the Employment Service that recognised said right. Take into account that the proceedings may take up to 2 months. Direct yourself to your Employment Service to obtain more information
on this matter.
(http://www.inem.es)
Lastly, it is convenient that you request form E301 before departing the country where you have worked, so that the social security contributions made may be taken into account for the calculation of eventual benefits in Spain.
For more information on all the benefits that you have a right to while you are in Spain (sickness benefits, pensions, labour accidents,...) contact your local INSS office (Centre for Attention and Information on Social Security - CAISS: Centro de la Seguridad Social), or dial: 900 16 65 65 (free call) or contact:
National Social Security Office
(Management and Administration of the Economic Benefits of the Social Security System)
Central Services
C/ Padre Dami
28036 - Madrid
Tel.: 91 568 83 00
Fax: 91 563 29 08, 91 5611051, 91 563 20 85
www.seg-social.es/inss
The European Community has published some guides denominated:
* "Social Security for Migrant Workers” (Seguridad Social para Trabajadores
Migrantes). In Spain you can obtain it from the Bookstore of the Official State Bulletin - B.O.E. C/Trafalgar, 27. 28010 - Madrid. Tel.: 902 365 303. Fax: 91 538 21 21. E-mail:
clientes@com.boe.es
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00 hours, (August from 9 to 14 hours) and
Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 hours
* “Your Social Security Rights when moving within the European Union”. A
Practical Guide. You can find it on the Internet:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-prot/schemes/guide_en.htm

TAXES
One of the most important matters to resolve upon your arrival in the country to which you are moving, in this case Spain, is to register yourself at the corresponding tax office of said country. You must remember to bring with you the necessary fiscal documentation from your country of origin, as well as accreditation of having complied with all pending fiscal matters before your departure. You will also require the documentation pertaining to your new job or new source of income. Upon arrival, do not forget that you may need to open a bank account, and remember to save enough so as to be able to pay your taxes.
In Spain the following taxes exist
Direct Taxes:
Personal Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas excises the income obtained during the natural year by physical persons, that is the income from work, professional or entrepreneurial activities, from the revenue and derivatives obtained from capital.
Its amount is given by the volume of the income obtained (progressive tariff: the greater the income, the greater the taxation percentage) and the reductions and deductions that in each particular case may be applied, and once discounted the tax withheld and the advanced payments and instalments made during the natural year.
In general, you must declare the totality of your income (income obtained throughout the world) in the country where you have your fiscal domicile. The fiscal domicile, for IRPF purposes, is generally your place of work and habitual residence, that is, the specific country in which you have resided during 183 or more days during the fiscal period in question.
However, in the determination of the condition of “fiscal resident” other considerations may be taken into account, like the residence of your family, closest personal and economic ties, place where you are registered, place where you carry out the greater part of your work… hence it is convenient that you inform yourself appropriately about what will be your fiscal situation in Spain before deciding to accept a job here.
The declaration of this tax is realised during the months of May and June of the year following the one to be assessed. The non presentation, or doing so after the established deadline, as occurs with other taxes, carries with it the imposition of sanctions.
The Member States of the European Union have subscribed between themselves fiscal accords (Accords for Dual Assessment, CDI) with the purpose of avoiding the dual assessment of the incomes of persons who travel or reside in different countries of the Union.
(http://www.minhac.es/tributos/cdipaises.htm)
(http://www.aeat.es/normlegi/cdi/home.html)
Company Tax: In general terms it is very similar to the IRPF, but it affects legal entities (corporations, companies, associations...) the general type of tax is currently fixed at 35%, also existing other special rates applicable to specific classes of legal entities.
Capital Gains Tax: This tax excises in a progressive manner the ownership by physical persons of assets and rights of an economic content, as long as it exceeds the tax-exempt minimum. The term established for the presentation of same coincides with that corresponding to the IRPF.
Inheritance and Gift Tax: It taxes the acquisition of assets and rights, be they as a result of an inheritance (Successions) or freely "inter vivos" (Donations).

Indirect Taxes:
Value Added Tax (VAT): It taxes the provision of goods and the rendering of services effected by businessmen/women and professionals, and the importation of goods, without detriment to the legally established exemptions. The types of rates applied vary between 4% for goods considered of first necessity, and the general rate of 16%.
Taxes on Capital Transfers and Documented Legal Acts: It taxes the transmission of assets and rights of an economic content, "inter vivos", that have an onerous nature, as well as the documentation pertaining to legal proceedings that are formalised or have a legal effect in Spain. The tax rate varies depending on the type of capital transfer or legal act (notarial, mercantile, administrative or judicial) that is documented.
Special Taxes: Unlike VAT, that taxes consumption in a general manner, these tax the consumption of specific goods. At present these taxes are applied to: hydrocarbons, alcohol and derivatives, wine and fermented beverages, beer, tobacco...). A Tax that you must take into account if you have a car is the Special Tax on specific means of transport, which taxes the registration of automobiles, boats and aeroplanes. New or used transport means on which this tax is applicable must be registered in Spain if they are to be used on Spanish territory by persons or entities residing in Spain.
Furthermore, there exist other State taxes, like the Tax on insurance premiums, and those related to the importation and exportation of goods, that is, taxation on foreign trade, adapted to the applicable normative of the European Union.
Local Taxes:
Property Tax: It taxes the ownership of real estates.
Tax on Economic Activities: It taxes the mere exercising of any business, professional or artistic activity.
Tax on Mechanically Driven Vehicles: It taxes the ownership of mechanically driven vehicles apt for circulating on public thoroughfares.
Tax on Constructions, Installations and Works: it taxes the realisation of any construction, installations or works for which it is necessary to obtain the corresponding planning permit.
Tax on the Increase of Value of Property of an Urban Nature: it taxes the increase in value of urban property that is manifested as a consequence of a transmission of the ownership.
It is recommended that you inform yourself on your fiscal situation by contacting the Fiscal Administration in your country of origin before departing for Spain, as well as the Spanish Embassy or one of the Consulate Offices in your country
(http://www.mae.es/mae/textos/embajadas/relalf.htm)
In Spain, you can obtain information from the Provincial Delegations of the State Agency for Tributary Administration, and in the corresponding Administrations. You can also visit on the Internet the Web site of the Tax Office http://www.aeat.es, or dial Tel.: 901 33 55 33 (Basic
Tax Information) or contact the:

Treasury Delegation in Madrid
Ministry of Finance
Tel: (00 34) 91 582 67 67 (Ext. 6537)
Fax: (00 34) 91 582 65 77
http://www.minhac.es
General Directorate for Taxation
Tel.: 91 595 80 00 Extension: 8043
Fax: 91 595 84 54

State Agency for Tributary Administration
San Enrique, 26 28071 Madrid
Tel.: 91 583 70 00 Extension: 8998
Fax: 91 583 70 05
http://www.aeat.es/
Customs and Special Taxes Department (Agencies and Administrations):
http://www.aeat.es/aduanas/donde/home.html
E-mail: aduanas_iiee@aeat.es
Tel.: 91 728 96 08 / 05

EMPLOYMENT
Contracts
You must remember that you have the same rights as Spanish workers with respects to salaries, promotion, social security, working conditions, affiliation, union action, etc.
In Spain, the minimum legal age for working is 16, although it is necessary to have an authorisation or express consent from the parents or tutors until the age of 18, except in the case where you are legally emancipated.
Although in Spain the law authorises the use of verbal contracts, most contracts are subscribed in writing, form which moreover is compulsory when dealing with practical training contracts, professional training contracts, construction or service contracts, part time contracts, permanent full time contracts, substitution contracts, working from home, specific period contracts (temporary work) for periods greater than 4 weeks and those realised in Spain to employees working for Spanish companies overseas.
Before signing a contract, carefully examine the terms and conditions. Make sure that you perfectly understand what is written in the contract. The employee may provide you with a copy in your own language, otherwise you may have to obtain a translation. Check the form and frequency of the payment of your salary. Likewise, check the issues pertaining to travel and accommodation, to ascertain whether you must pay them or if they are to be borne by the entrepreneur.
You must take into account that the work contract may be subscribed for an indefinite period of time (permanent) or for a specific period of time (temporary), which must be specified in the contract. It is possible to fix a trial period that does not exceed 6 months for titled technicians and 2 months for the remaining workers. The maximum duration of the working week is of 40 hours, not being possible to exceed 9
hours daily. Overtime hours cannot exceed 80 per year, and they cannot be compulsory, they must be compensated with free time or economically.
Paid vacations can never be inferior to 30 days, with Saturdays and Sundays included. There also exist 12 national public holidays and 2 local public holidays per year.
There is a minimum salary that is fixed annually by the Government. The minimum salary fixed for the year 2002 is of 442,20 Euros gross per month for workers over the age of 18. There also exist General Wages Agreements for many sectors, which establish the adequate salaries for each group or professional category.
A peculiar aspect of the payment of salaries and wages in Spain is that the workers perceive, as a general rule, 14 annual payments, 12 corresponding to the ordinary worked months and two extraordinary payments, one at Christmas time and the other during summer.
They have a right to a 15 day paid leave in case of marriage and 16 weeks maternity leave.
Companies with 15 workers may have a Union Representative, and the companies with 50 or more workers may have a Workers Committee.
Advice
At the Employment Office, at the Social-Labour Information Office and from the Unions, you may obtain information on your personal rights, as well as on the General Wages Agreements, salaries….
Social-Labour Information Office
Administrative Information Sub-department
Tel.: 91 553 62 78
Fax: 91 533 29 96
Self-employed workers
If you wish to establish yourself as a self-employed worker in Spain, it is recommended that you contact a Spanish Consulate Office in your country, or with the Chambers of Commerce if you are already in Spain.
Self-employed workers must accredit that they comply with the necessary requirements and that they have requested the permits or authorisations required for the realisation of the activity in question before applying and obtaining a residency permit, they must register
themselves in the Treasury Delegation for the payment of the Tax on Economic Activities, and register themselves at Social Security under the category of Special Regime for Self-employed workers. It is the worker who must apply for registration at Social Security, directing themselves to the Provincial Directorates of the General Treasury of Social Security or Administrations of same within 30 natural days following the commencement of the activity.

ACCOMMODATION
It is recommendable to have your accommodation in Spain organised before leaving your country, so as to avoid possible complications. There are many possibilities, depending on your preferences or economic level.
Renting
If during your stay in Spain you wish to rent housing, it is advisable that you browse through the classified sections of all newspapers. The university faculty notice boards also provide useful information.
You can also visit an estate agency (consult the Yellow Pages of the Telephone Guide), they will charge you a months rent in advance, and a commission for the agency, which is usually the same as one month’s rent.
It is necessary to subscribe a contract with the owner of the apartment. Any kind of rental contract is legal and licit, even a verbal contract; although it is convenient to sign a written contract. For this case there exists an “Official Contract Form”, on sealed paper, that can be
purchased at tobacconists.
http://www.consumo-inc.es/guiacons/interior/infpract/infpract.htm
The tenant must compulsorily pay a cash surety that is equivalent to one month’s rent. In nearly all buildings the neighbours share the costs and services of the community (porter, cleaning, garden, swimming pool...), you must check if these costs are included in your rental contract.
http://www.civilia.es/vivienda/alquiler/alquiler.html
If you have any problems with the renting of your housing, you may visit the Municipal Office for Consumer Information (Oficina Municipal de Informaci�?�³n al Consumidor - OMIC), the Consumer and User Associations or Consumption Arbitration Tribunals.
http://www.consumo-inc.es/directorio/interior/omic/omic.htm
The Programme “Youth Housing Exchange” of the Youth Institute (INJUVE), in collaboration with the Youth Organisms of certain Autonomous Communities (Madrid, Catalonia, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla-Leon, Canary Islands, Cantabria and Navarra) and some Local City Councils (Zaragoza, Alicante, San Sebastian, Tarrasa, Palma de Mallorca and Gandia) facilitate general information on renting and purchasing of housing, specialised legal information, information on housing that is for rent, or shared housing, and, especially, a “housing exchange” of apartments that are for rent to youths at below market prices, pursuant to an accord with the proprietors. This Programme is directed at youths between the age of 18 and 30/35 with a salary (at least one of the applicants) that surpasses 1.5 times the minimum legal salary. In the event of not having any income, or if this is inferior to 1.5 times the minimum legal salary, it may be possible to access the Housing Exchange if you have a solidary surety. The
requirements may vary depending on the Autonomous Community that we are dealing with, hence, we recommend that you obtain further information from the corresponding youth services.
The Youth Institute offers, during the first year of renting, protection via a surety insurance policy and a home multi risk insurance policy.

The Autonomous Communities and municipalities adhered to this Programme have at their disposal, through their Youth Organisms, an information service or office with the means and persons necessary for carrying out said Programme. http://www.mtas.es/injuve/index2.htm
(Offices of the Rental Housing Exchange)
For more information:
INJUVE. Service pertaining to Sectorial Programmes
Telephone: 91 363 75 93
Fax: 91 402 21 94
E-mail: viviendaempleo@mtas.es

Seasonal Accommodation
While you are looking for more stable accommodation, you can direct yourself to the Tourism Office, which will provide you with a list of available temporary accommodation. The Youth Institute subscribes accords with Local Town councils to facilitate housing to be rented for short periods of time to youths with low incomes and which are under 30, away from their habitual homes, either because of work commitments, studies, or due to their participation in cultural, sporting events and activities, etc. This housing may be new or renovated, located in the old quarters of the city.
During the last few yeas, the Injuve has subscribed cooperation accords for the construction and adaptation of housing that favour the temporary accommodation of youths in: Zaragoza, L�?�­nea de la Concepci�?�³n (Cadiz), Sanl�?�ºcar la Mayor (Seville), Palma del Condado (Huelva), (Almeria), Santiago de Compostela, Albaida del Aljarafe (Seville), Sisante (Cuenca), Caceres, Carmona (Seville).
Purchasing Property
Almerisol Properties Help And Advise
http://www.globalestates.co.uk

Domestic fittings
The fittings and personal articles stemming from countries of the European Union are not subject to any customs tax whatsoever. If you require more information on the importation of personal articles, contact the Spanish Consulate in your country, who will provide you with written information relative to the exportation of domestic fittings and personal articles.

Services
The Spanish Electric Network technically administers the Spanish electricity network and balances the production and consumption of energy. Afterwards it transports the energy to all points of the Spanish geography. However, after the deregulation of the sector, the electricity
is contracted with the electric company that in each area handles the commercialisation of this service (IBERDROLA, ENDESA, UNION FENOSA, HIDROELECTRICA DEL CANTABRICO).
The commercialisation and generation of the electricity is not regulated, although the economic and technical administration, as well as the transport and distribution is regulated.
In general, in the majority of the large Spanish cities there exists a centralised gas service, the payment of which is established via counters; currently a natural gas system is being implanted.
The central heating systems and individual electrical heating systems are also very common in Spain. However, the bottled butane gas (“bombonas”, that are delivered to the homes) are still used for cooking in many homes.

Currently there is not just one sole National Telephone Company in Spain. If the telephone is not connected you can choose to have it installed via by other companies which also render telephone services. Obtaining the connection usually takes 7 to 15 days). It is advisable to inform yourself correctly before contacting the service, given that there exists differences in the tariffs and offers, depending on the times the calls are made and the destination of same. (http://www.teltarifas.com/)
For all the previously cited services, invoices are issued every two months, which must be punctually paid, given that, if not, the service may be cut off.
9. THE SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
The current teaching model in Spain is regulated by the Law for the General Ordination of the Education System (LOGSE), that came into force during the academic year 1991-1992 and which has been gradually implemented throughout the whole of Spanish territory during these last 10 years.
It is establishes that education is compulsory and free of charge from 6 years of age until 16 years of age, minimum legal age in Spain for entering the workforce. Infant education (up to 6 years of age) is not compulsory.
General Teaching System:
- Infant Education (from 0 to 6 years)
- Primary Education (from 6 to 12 years), compulsory and free of charge - Secondary Education:
- Compulsory Secondary Education (from 12 to 16 years), compulsory and free of charge
- Higher Secondary Education Course (from 16 to 18 years), voluntary.
Modalities: Arts, Nature and Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Technology
- Social Guarantee Programmes (16 to 21 years, without Secondary or PT certification)
- Middle Level Professional Training (from 16 to 18 years)
- Superior Level Professional Training
- University Education
Special Teaching System:
- Artistic Education (Music and Dance, Plastic Arts and Design and Dramatic Art)
- Teaching of languages
There exist public and private schools although the majority of Private Teaching is partially funded by the State (State assisted teaching).

EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS WITHIN THE
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
Recognition of titles for professional purposes
The purpose of the professional recognition of titles is to overcome the obstacles, especially with regards to qualifications, that a citizen from a Member State may face when attempting to gain access to a specific profession in another Member State. The principal beneficiaries of same are the professionals, not the students. You can discover whether or not it is regulated in Spain (that is, whether it is necessary to have a specific national title to practise said profession) and what is the Organism or Department in charge of the recognition of said profession by contacting the General Sub-directorate for Titles, Validations and Approvals of the Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport, or at the following Web site on the Internet: The community directives for the recognition of titles are exclusively applied to the nationals of the 18 countries that form part of the Accord for the European Economic Area, that is, the 15 members of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
http://www.mec.es/inf/comoinfo/d-4-2-1-1.htm
Academic recognition (Approval, Validation)
The purpose of the academic recognition of titles is to allow a citizen of a Member State to be able to continue with or study in greater depth the studies taken in another Member State.
The principal beneficiaries are the students, not the professionals.
For more information relative to the validation of titles within the academic ambit, as well as the recognition for professional purposes, you can direct yourself to:
NARIC (National Centre for Information on Academic Recognition - Centro Nacional de
Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport
General Sub-directorate for Titles, Validations and Approvals
Technical Council for Titles of the European Union
Paseo del Prado, 28 28014 - MADRID
Tel.: 91 506 56 00 and 91 506 56 18
Fax: 91 506 57 06
and the Information, Initiatives and Claims Section of the Ministry. You can also obtain information from all the Education Councils, at
the Consular Offices of the Spanish Embassy in your country.

CULTURE
The customs, forms of life, personal relationships... differ to a large extent from one country to another within the EEA. An essential aspect for being able to integrate yourself within the life of a country is knowing the language. http://www.elcastellano.com/index.html It is advisable that before arriving in Spain you obtain information on various general aspects, which will result useful when you commence your Spanish journey. To obtain general information, contact the Spanish Tourism Office in your country
http://www.tourspain.es/ or the Spanish Embassy or Consulate.

If you are in Spain, at the Citizen Attention Department (Cultural Information Section. Plaza del Rey, 1. 28071 MADRID. Telephone. Switchboard: 91 701 70 00. Direct: 91 701 71 56. 91 . an enquiry service is rendered with access to the different databases of the Secretary of State for Culture, former Cultural Information Service Points (Servicio de Puntos de Informaci�?�³n Cultural - PIC), through which it is possible to obtain information on: historical wealth, bibliography, music, theatre, films, sports, and various cultural information. Enquire at the local Town Councils or at the Regional Ministry for Education and Culture of your Autonomous Community.

Spain is formed by a combination of cultures belonging to civilisations which, throughout the centuries, populated the Iberian peninsula: Celts, Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs … The historical legacy is nurtured from the variety of this mosaic, of the richness of its blends, and the fusion of their contributions. The most important trends in culture and art have also been expressed in our land via a creative talent of its own, of great universal importance. Spain possesses an immense artistic, bibliographical and documentary legacy that holds the key to collective national life. It is the third ranked country with regards to the number of monuments that have been declared as being of worldwide historical value. The
preservation of this treasure meant that it was necessary to take measures to fight the traditional appropriation and deterioration that has deprived Spaniards from their cultural richness. The Law 16/1985, dated the 25th of June, pertaining to Spanish Historical Patrimony,
attempts to correct this situation.
The Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport has published a cultural guide, (Guide of Cultural Services), where we can find a list of all the Spanish Cultural institutions, libraries, museums, theatres, music… with additional information on the principal tasks carried out by the authorities. If you want further information on cultural policy, you can request this guide from:
Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport
The Spanish Tourism Institute (INSTITUTO DE TURISMO DE ESP TURESPA), is an official organism that is dedicated to the promotion and commercialisation of Spanish tourism overseas. has 29 offices throughout the world for the promotion of tourism in Spain. At these offices it is possible to obtain all the assistance that you may need for preparing your trip.
On the Internet: http://www.tourspain.es
You will find more general information on Spain in an interactive information service presented by the Spanish Embassy in Canada, and extended under the sponsorship of the General Directorate for Cultural Relations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Contact:
http://www.sispain.org/spanish/index.html
You can also find information of interest on the region you are staying at from the municipal Tourist Offices.
In all large Spanish cities you can find the publication of guides, sold in n ewspaper kiosks, which include all the information on the possible tourist, recreational and leisure time activities that can be carried out in that particular area.
The Youth Institute, INJUVE gathers and publishes information that is of interest for youths, both with regards to what is generated within as well as beyond our frontiers: youth cards, hostels, interchange programmes, cooperation programmes, voluntary work, associations, studies, employment, housing… Likewise, it collaborates with close to 3,000 Youth Information Centres that exist in our country, dependent on the Autonomous Communities, Local Town Councils and diverse social initiatives. Contact with:
Injuve. Information and Diffusion Service
Tel: 91 363 78 33
Fax : 91 319 93 38
E-mail: injuve@mtas.es
http://www.mtas.es/injuve/index2.htm
At http://www.mtas.es/infoven/index.html you will be able to find all the information related to youths that is offered on the Web sites of the Youth Institute, the Autonomous Communities and the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
The Women’s Institute ((El INSTITUTO DE LA MUJER) has available two telephone lines that offer information to women, free of charge and nationally, that operate 24 hours a day, all week long. (Tel: 900 191 010 and 900 152 152, for deaf women). The aim of this service is to
inform women on legal matters, guidance on employment and social resources in general.
These telephones inform on legal aspects (Matrimonial, Affiliation, Civil Registry, Labour Legislation, Abuse, Rape, Free justice, etc.), employment guidance (Self-employment, Salaried work, Co-operatives, Occupational Professional Training, Employment Offices, etc.) and social
resources (Shelters, Single Mothers, Advisory Centres, Family Planning, Interruption of a Pregnancy, Women’s Associations, Social Assistance, etc.)
At this telephone, 900.19.10.10, it is also possible to report sexist advertising and any other sexual discrimination.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE
During your stay in Spain remember that you are governed by Spanish legislation. Always have in mind that an unavoidable obligation of all persons travelling overseas is to respect the laws of other countries, which, in many cases, differ in a substantial manner from the laws of your own country. This recommendation is especially important with regards to the possession, consumption and trafficking of drugs.
Do not forget that in the event that you commit an infraction with your vehicle, and you cannot justify your normal residency in Spain, you must pay the fine immediately, or, if travelling with someone of Spanish nationality, then this person must offer themselves as the guarantors of the subsequent payment of the fine. Otherwise, the agents may immobilise your vehicle.

The Spanish Constitution and its normative development establish a series of fundamental rights that are amply guaranteed. If you face any kind of legal problem, contact a lawyer; if you do not have one, request a list of court-appointed lawyers; the assistance of an attorney is guaranteed to anyone arrested, in all police and judicial proceedings. Any person arrested must be immediately informed of their rights and the reasons for their
arrest, and they cannot be forced to declare. Preventive detention must last the time period that is strictly necessary for the realisation of
the inquiries aimed at clarifying the facts. In any case, within a m aximum period of 72 hours the person in question must be released or put before a judge. An additional legal guarantee of the right to personal freedom is the procedure of "habeas corpus", which leads to the immediate release of all persons detained for more than 72 hours without having been put before a judge. Upon the presentation of this request, and within the
following 24 hours, the arrested person must appear before a judge, who will determine the legality or illegality of the detention.
Be careful and try to avoid the theft or loss of your personal documentation and your travel tickets. Contact your Embassy, they can provide you with a list of lawyers that speak your language, assist you in case of detention or prison (if this occurs, immediately request that the local authorities contact the Consulate of your country) and offer you certain legal services overseas: Civil registry, Notary, remittance of ocumentation to organisms in your country …

USEFUL TELEPHONES AND ADDRESSES
Embassies in Madrid:
Germany Tel.: 91 557 90 00 Fax: 91 310.21.04 http://www.embajada-alemania.es/
Belgium Tel.: 91 577 63 00 Fax: 91 431 81 66
Austria Tel.: 91 5565315,
91 556 54 03 and
91 556 55 04
Fax: 91 597 35 79
Denmark Tel.: 91 431 84 45 Fax: 91 431 91 68 http://www.embajadadinamarca.es/
Finland Tel.: 91 3196172 Fax: 91 308 39 01 http://www.finlandia.org
France Tel.: 91 423 89 00 Fax: 91 423 89 01 http://www.ambafrance.es
Greece Tel.: 91 5644653 Fax: 91 564 46 68
Ireland Tel.: 91 436 40 93 Fax: 91 435 16 77
Iceland (in Paris) Tel.: 00 33 144 17 32 85 Fax: 00 33 140 67 99 96
Italy Tel.: 91 423 33 00 Fax: 91 575 77 76
Luxembourg Tel.: 91 4359164,
91 435 92 26 and
91 435 92 71
Fax: 91 577 48 26
Norway Tel.: 91 310 31 16 Fax: 91 310 43 26 http://www.emb-noruega.es
The Netherlands Tel.: 91 359 09 14 Fax: 91 359 21 50
and 91 353 71 95
Portugal Tel.: 91 782 49 60 Fax: 91 782 49 72
United Kingdom Tel.: 91 700 82 00 Fax: 91 700 82 72 http://www.ukinspain.com
Sweden Tel.: 91 702 20 00 Fax: 91 702 20 40 http://www.embajadasuecia.es

Euroinfo. European Commission. Representation in Spain
Paseo de la Castellana, 46
E - 28046 Madrid
Tel.: 91 423 80 00
Fax: 91 576 03 87
http://europa.eu.int/spain/organizacion/index.htm#rpespan
Fiscal Information: 901 33 55 33
Labour Information and Social Security: 900 16 65 65
Citizen Information Office of the Ministry of the Interior: 900 15 00 00
Centre for Administrative Information (Ministry for Public Administrations): 91 586 10 10
General Information from INEM: 902 39 99 99. This telephone can only be accessed from
within Spain. The provinces with this service are: Asturias (Oviedo), Madrid, Las Palmas,
Valencia, Vizcaya (Bilbao), Zaragoza. The cost of the call is shared between INEM and the user.
National Employment Institute (Instituto Nacional de Empleo - INEM)
Condesa de Venadito, 9, 28027 - MADRID
Tel.: 91 585 98 88. Fax: 91 377 58 81/ 91 377 5887
http://www.inem.es.
National Institute for Social Security (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social)
General Sub-Department for International Relations
(International Conventions)
MADRID
Tel.: 91 5688300
http://www.seg-social.es
Youth Institute (Instituto de la Juventud - INJUVE)
MADRID
SPAIN
Tel.: (34+1) 347 77 00
Fax: (34+1) 319 93 38
INJUVE. European Service
Madrid
Telephone: 91 363 77 40 / 91 363 76 93 and 91 363 76 83
Fax: 91 363 76 87
INJUVE. Cooperation Department
Tel: 91 363 76 47
Fax: 91 401 81 60
E-mail: eurespa@mtas.es
http://www.mtas.es/injuve/index2.htm
Institute for Women (Instituto de la Mujer)
Tel. 91 363 80 00 (Switchboard)
E-mail: inmujer@mtas.es
http://www.mtas.es/mujer/informacion.htm

ALTHOUGH THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN ELABORATED WITH THE GREATEST POSSIBLE CARE, AND ITS CONTENTS ARE CORRECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AT OUR DISPOSAL, Almerisol Properties DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITIES DERIVED FROM THE USE OF SAME, ERRORS OR CHANGES IN THE DATA STATED HERE.

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