Job search platforms in Spain

Finding work in Spain requires understanding a job market that operates differently from what you may be used to. Unemployment rates are higher than in Northern Europe or North America, contracts often start temporary before becoming permanent, and networking matters enormously—many positions never get advertised publicly.

This guide covers the main job platforms and strategies for expat job seekers. Success typically requires a combination of online applications, recruitment agencies, and personal connections.

Major job boards

InfoJobs

InfoJobs at infojobs.net dominates the Spanish job market as the country’s largest employment portal. The platform hosts listings across all industries, from entry-level positions to executive roles. The site includes a CV builder, company reviews, and salary data to help you research employers.

Most InfoJobs listings require Spanish language skills. Even when job descriptions appear bilingual, actual work environments typically operate in Spanish. If your Spanish is limited, focus your InfoJobs search on international companies or technical roles where English suffices.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn at linkedin.com/jobs has become essential for professional and international roles in Spain. The platform works particularly well for positions at multinational companies, tech roles, and management positions. Beyond job listings, LinkedIn enables networking that often leads to opportunities before they’re publicly posted.

The Easy Apply feature makes submitting applications straightforward, but don’t rely on it exclusively. Personalized applications and direct connections with hiring managers typically yield better results than volume applications.

Indeed Spain

Indeed Spain at es.indeed.com aggregates listings from multiple job boards and company websites, providing a broad overview of available positions. The platform includes salary search features and company reviews. While not as dominant as InfoJobs for Spanish-language positions, Indeed often captures international opportunities that other platforms miss.

Other general platforms

Trabajo.org at trabajo.org serves as another major Spanish job aggregator with email alerts and regional search functionality. Jobatus at jobatus.es consolidates listings from multiple platforms, saving you the effort of checking each one individually.

Industry-specific portals

Certain industries have specialized platforms that outperform general job boards for targeted searches.

Technology

The tech sector in Spain has developed robust hiring platforms catering to developers, engineers, and digital professionals.

Platform	Focus	URL
Tecnoempleo	All tech jobs	tecnoempleo.com
GetOnBoard	Startups, tech	getonboard.com
StackOverflow Jobs	Developers	stackoverflow.com/jobs
Landing.jobs	Tech in Europe	landing.jobs
Manfred	Tech recruitment	getmanfred.com

Tecnoempleo has become particularly strong in Spain, with listings ranging from junior developer roles to senior technical leadership. GetOnBoard focuses on startup culture and often features companies offering remote or hybrid arrangements.

Hospitality and tourism

Spain’s tourism sector provides substantial employment, especially in coastal areas and major cities.

Platform	Focus	URL
Turijobs	Hotels, tourism	turijobs.com
Hosteleo	Hospitality	hosteleo.com

These platforms concentrate job listings that would be scattered across general boards. If you’re seeking hotel, restaurant, or tourism industry positions, checking specialized platforms first saves time.

Teaching English

Teaching English remains one of the most accessible paths into the Spanish job market for native speakers.

Platform	Focus	URL
TEFL.com	Teaching jobs	tefl.com
ESL Cafe	Teaching positions	eslcafe.com
CIEE	Auxiliares program	ciee.org
Meddeas	Language assistants	meddeas.com

The government-sponsored Auxiliares de Conversación program places native speakers in schools throughout Spain. CIEE and similar organizations facilitate applications. Private academies advertise on TEFL-focused sites, while individual tutoring opportunities spread through word of mouth and local advertising.

Healthcare and international organizations

Healthcare positions at infosalus.com and pharmacy roles at farmaempleo.com require professional qualifications that may need recognition (homologación) in Spain. European jobs portal EuroJobs at eurojobs.com, EU institutional positions at EuroBrussels, and United Nations roles at unjobs.org attract internationally-minded candidates.

Remote work platforms

Spain’s digital nomad visa has attracted location-independent workers, and numerous platforms cater to remote employment.

Remote OK at remoteok.com, We Work Remotely at weworkremotely.com, FlexJobs at flexjobs.com, Remote.co at remote.co, and Remotive at remotive.com all list positions that can be performed from Spain. Many of these roles pay in US dollars or British pounds, which can be advantageous given Spanish cost of living.

Freelance platforms provide another avenue. Upwork at upwork.com handles general freelance work, Fiverr at fiverr.com specializes in gig-based projects, Toptal at toptal.com serves elite freelancers, and Malt at malt.es focuses specifically on the European market.

Recruitment agencies

Agencies can accelerate your job search by matching you with opportunities and handling initial screening. They’re particularly useful for temporary positions, contract roles, and entry into industries where you lack connections.

Generalist agencies

Major international agencies operate throughout Spain with offices in major cities.

Agency	Focus	URL
Adecco	All sectors	adecco.es
Randstad	All sectors	randstad.es
Manpower	All sectors	manpower.es
Michael Page	Professional	michaelpage.es
Hays	Professional	hays.es

Adecco, Randstad, and Manpower handle high volumes of temporary and entry-level positions. Michael Page and Hays focus on professional roles with higher salary ranges. The process typically involves registering online, submitting your CV, and meeting with a recruiter who matches you with suitable openings.

Specialist agencies

For finance and administrative roles, Robert Half at roberthalf.es and Robert Walters at robertwalters.es offer specialized recruitment. Executive positions may go through Jefferson Wells, part of ManpowerGroup.

Agencies charge employers, not job seekers, so registration is free. Multiple agency registrations increase your exposure, though be aware that some positions may be listed by several agencies simultaneously.

Understanding the Spanish job market

Key characteristics

Spain’s job market has distinct features that affect how you approach your search. Unemployment rates consistently run higher than in Northern European countries, creating competitive conditions especially for positions that don’t require specialized skills or Spanish fluency.

Temporary contracts (contratos temporales) are common entry points. Many employers hire workers on fixed-term contracts before offering permanent positions (indefinido). This isn’t necessarily problematic—it’s simply how the market works. Focus on getting your foot in the door, then demonstrate your value.

Networking and referrals drive a significant portion of hiring. Many positions fill through personal connections without ever being advertised. Building relationships in your industry matters as much as polishing your CV. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and don’t underestimate the power of informational conversations.

Language requirements vary by role but Spanish is essential for most positions. English-only jobs exist primarily in international companies, tech startups, and tourism, but they’re a minority of available opportunities. Even basic Spanish significantly expands your options.

Geographic concentration matters too. Most opportunities cluster in Madrid, Barcelona, and to a lesser extent Valencia, Bilbao, and other major cities. Regional markets are smaller and often more dependent on local languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician).

Contract types explained

Understanding contract types helps you evaluate offers appropriately.

Type	Spanish	Description
Permanent	Indefinido	Best security, harder to obtain
Temporary	Temporal	Fixed term, common entry point
Training	Formación	For recent graduates
Internship	Prácticas	May be paid or unpaid
Freelance	Autónomo	Self-employed

The indefinido (permanent) contract offers the most security and benefits. Employers pay significant severance if they terminate permanent employees, which makes them cautious about offering these contracts. Proving yourself on a temporary contract is often the path to permanence.

Salary expectations

Spanish salaries generally run lower than Northern Europe, the UK, or the United States. This reflects both economic conditions and lower living costs in much of Spain. Research benchmarks before negotiations using Glassdoor Spain at glassdoor.es, PayScale at payscale.com, or InfoJobs salary calculator.

Salaries are typically discussed as gross annual figures. Remember to account for Spanish income tax and Social Security contributions when comparing offers to what you’ve earned elsewhere.

Job search tips for expats

Before you start applying

Get your NIE early, as most employers require it for hiring. If your profession requires licensed credentials, start the homologación (official recognition) process—this can take months for regulated professions like healthcare, law, or architecture.

Prepare a Spanish-format CV, which differs from American and British conventions. Photos are commonly included, though not legally required. Personal details like age and nationality often appear. Use reverse chronological format, keep it to one or two pages, and list language skills with levels (A1-C2 scale).

Improve your Spanish continuously. Even reaching B1 or B2 opens many doors that remain closed to English-only speakers. Consider intensive courses if you’re serious about the Spanish job market.

Networking strategies

LinkedIn matters, but in-person connections matter more. Attend InterNations professional events, industry conferences, and meetups in your field. Join your country’s Chamber of Commerce in Spain. Reconnect with university alumni who’ve moved to Spain. Every conversation is a potential lead.

Don’t ask directly for a job—ask for advice, information, and introductions. People respond better to genuine curiosity about their experience than to thinly veiled job requests. The opportunities follow naturally from authentic relationship building.

Interview preparation

Punctuality is expected despite stereotypes about Spanish time. Arrive a few minutes early. Formal dress is typical for first interviews, even at companies with casual day-to-day environments.

Spanish interviews often involve multiple rounds, potentially including tests or case studies depending on the role. Salary discussion typically comes late in the process, sometimes only after an offer. The question about “disponibilidad” (availability to start) is common—employers often want someone who can begin quickly.

Alternatives to traditional employment

Working as an autónomo

Self-employment in Spain means registering as an autónomo, paying monthly Social Security contributions, and billing clients directly. The approach offers flexibility and the ability to work with multiple clients, but involves higher administrative burden and Social Security costs than employment.

Autónomo status works well for consultants, freelancers, and digital workers with established client bases. New registrants benefit from reduced Social Security rates in early years. Our autónomo guide covers the details.

Starting a business

Spain offers various business structures for entrepreneurs, from simple sociedades limitadas (SL) to more complex arrangements. Startup-friendly programs, incubators, and investor visa categories support business creation. If you’re considering this path, professional advice on structure and tax implications is essential.

Teaching English

For native English speakers, teaching remains one of the most accessible entry points. Academy jobs provide steady employment though modest pay. Private tutoring pays better but requires building your own client base. The Auxiliares de Conversación program places assistants in schools with modest stipends but valuable experience. Online teaching works for those with scheduling flexibility.

Seasonal work

Tourism creates summer opportunities in coastal areas and ski resorts offer winter work. Agriculture has harvest season needs in various regions. Events and hospitality spike around festivals and holidays. These positions often don’t require much Spanish and can provide income while you develop longer-term plans.

Matching your situation to resources

Situation	Start Here
Professional roles	LinkedIn, InfoJobs, Michael Page
Tech jobs	LinkedIn, Tecnoempleo, GetOnBoard
Any job (wide search)	Indeed, InfoJobs
Teaching English	TEFL.com, auxiliar programs
Remote work	Remote OK, We Work Remotely
Freelance	Malt, Upwork
Entry level	Adecco, Randstad, InfoJobs

The Spanish job market rewards persistence, networking, and language skills. Combine online applications with in-person relationship building for best results. Most expats who successfully establish careers in Spain describe a process that took longer than expected but ultimately led to fulfilling work. Start early, stay patient, and keep building connections.