Family Integration > Finding Work

Working in Catalonia

The requirements in order to be able to work in Spain are similar to those for the rest of the European Union.

What are the requirements for legal entry to Spain?

EU Workers

Nationals of any European Economic Area (EEA) country may freely enter, settle and work in any other EEA member state, with the same rights and obligations of the nationals of that country. This right is also extended to family members, irrespective of their nationality. The EEA consists of the European Union (EU) member states, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Nationals of these countries may take up any kind of employment in Spain, whether contracted by others or as a freelancer. No work permit is necessary, and rights are identical to those of Spanish nationals in terms of salary, working conditions, access to housing, professional training and social security, and trade union membership.

Non-EU Workers

Non-EU nationals who wish to work in Spain will require a visa and/or work permit.

Requirements in order to be able to work in Spain?

Information about requirements, either for EU and for non-EU workers: www.cat365.net/Inici/FetsVitals/Europa/TrobarFeina/AccesMercatTreball/III2_SI_MostrarInformacio.htm?
ruta=%2FChannels%2FAutors%2FInici%2FFetsVitals%2FEuropa%2FTrobarFeina%2FAccesMercatTreball%
2FCAT1530TreballadorsEstrangers&I=1

Institution/Support Centre

Department of Employment. Generalitat de Catalunya
www.gencat.cat/treball/ambits/ocupacio/feina/index.html

Territorial labour services:

Barcelona
Puig i Xoriguer, 11-13
08004 Barcelona
Tel. 93 622 04 00 Fax 93 622 04 01
www10.gencat.net/sac/AppJava/organisme_fitxa.jsp?codi=4715

Girona
Rutlla, 69-75
17003 Girona
Tel. 972 22 27 85 Fax 972 22 37 71
www10.gencat.net/sac/AppJava/organisme_fitxa.jsp?codi=4780

Tarragona
Joan Baptista Plana, 29-31
43005 Tarragona
Tel. 977 23 36 14 / 977 23 36 31 Fax 977 24 33 74
www10.gencat.cat/sac/AppJava/organisme_fitxa.jsp?codi=4830

Terres de l'Ebre
Carrer de la Rosa, 9
43500 Baix Ebre
Tel. 977 44 81 01 Fax 977 44 19 43
www10.gencat.net/sac/AppJava/organisme_fitxa.jsp?codi=12293

Lleida
General Britos, 3
25007 Lleida
Tel. 973 23 00 80 Fax 973 23 36 23
www10.gencat.net/sac/AppJava/organisme_fitxa.jsp?codi=4805

What sources of information on the labour market are there? There are a number of sources of labour market information, which, apart from job offers, will provide you with useful information on the labour market, trends, professions and sectors with the greatest demand, and expert advice and opinions.

Servei d'Ocupació de Catalunya (the Catalan government's employment agency). This employment service acts as a job bank and offers a complete service to job-seekers that includes training and career guidance. It also offers services to companies wishing to fill vacancies.

Centres d'Innovació i Formació Ocupacional (Centres of Innovation and occupational training). These are training centres operated by the Department of Employment and Industry and specialising in innovative training programmes organised according to sector and activities. The courses on offer are open to both the unemployed and the employed.

e-CIFO (Centres of Innovation and Occupational Training). This is an internet service covering local authorities, county councils and provincial councils, many of which operate economic development and employment services and job banks.

Chambers of Commerce. In addition to information on companies operating in Catalonia, the Catalan Chambers of Commerce run the Programa Escola+Empresa, to facilitate the transition from school to the world of work, and to assist companies in managing their human resources.

Job banks and career guidance services operated by universities and training centres:

University of Barcelona (UB).
www.ub.edu/feinaub /

Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
treball-campus.uab.es/frameset_serv_estudiants.htm

Technical University of Catalonia (UPC).
/www.upc.edu/catala/empreses/treball.htm

Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)
www.upf.edu/oil/

University of Lleida (UdL).
web.udl.es/arees/seu/empresa/borsa/

University of Girona (UdG)
web.udg.es/ciae/borsa/

Rovira i Virgili University (URV).
www.urv.net/borsatreball/FRAMESET_ofertes.htm

Ramon Llull University (URL).
www.url.edu/

Open University of Catalonia (UOC).
www.uoc.edu

University of Vic (UVIC).
www.uvic.es/recerca/ca/inici.htm

International University of Catalonia (UIC)
www.uic.es/serveis.uic?cdi_opc=876

Abat Oliba University (UAO).
/www.uao.es/cream/borsa.htm

Catalunya Recerca - Borsa de Treball
www.catalunyarecerca.info/bdt/

Professional associations. Most professional associations have their own job banks and also offer information and professional services.

Business associations. Some employer associations (CECOT), business federations, etc., operate job banks and assist with contracting certain kinds of workers (e.g. foreigners, women, long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, etc.).

Other associacions. These include back-to-work associations, adult training bodies, and social and community help organisations.

Temping agencies (ETTs). These are private employment agencies that obtain temporary labour for companies. They also offer a recruitment service for permanent posts, as also training services.

Private recruitment/human resource agencies. These offer recruitment services and operate a screening process to locate suitable job candidates on behalf of companies.

Press, radio and television (teletext). The Saturday business supplements and the Sunday classified advertisement sections of mainstream newspaper, and specialised press such as Cinco Días, La Gaceta de los Negocios, Expansión y Empleo, etc. also carry job advertisements.

Libraries and other information centres. These hold company year books, specialist publications and daily newspapers, as well as periodic publications on the labour market, job opportunities, etc.. Many of these centres offer an Internet service, and also may have specialist information aimed at women, young people, or students.

Official gazettes. If you are interested in working as a civil servant, consult the Spanish and Catalan government official gazettes for public job announcements.

Trade fairs and exhibitions. As business and meeting points, these are ideal for obtaining information on labour market developments and on the kinds of jobs available in particular sectors. They are also a way of making useful contacts. The Chambers of Commerce and Ttrade and exhibition centres will be able to provide you with a calendar of fairs and exhibitions.

Networking. Many vacancies are filled through personal contacts. If you are looking for work, be sure that all your family, friends, and former work and study colleagues know, as they may be able to help you.

Where can I obtain further information?

Labour market and job information. Spanish Ministry of Labour and Immigration: www.mtin.es/sec_trabajo/uk/index.htm

Find work: www.gencat.net/treballiindustria/ocupacio_activitat/feina/index.html

Access to the job marke: www.cat365.net/Inici/FetsVitals/Europa/TrobarFeina/AccesMercatTreball

State Public Employment Service (INEM). Spanish Ministry of Labour and Immigration: www.inem.es

EURES Network: europa.eu.int/eures/index.jsp

 

Updated: May 2008