Employment
Foreign citizens aged 16 years or older, who have applied for and received the corresponding administrative authorisation or permit which allows them to work in Spain.
This authorisation entitles holder to reside in Spain throughout the duration of the permit.
- To look for work or be hired, it is not necessary for foreign persons holding a work permit to register with the SERVEF - Servicio Valenciano de Empleo y Formación (Valencian Employment and Training Services). Nevertheless, registering with this agency is recommended, as those who join are eligible for the following benefits:
- Information and professional orientation
- Access to job offers
- Help in actively searching for employment
- Information on training courses (tel.: 900 100 785)
- Participation in occupational training courses
- However, registering with SERVEF is mandatory when claiming unemployment benefits and supplementary benefits which all workers are entitled to after their work contract has ended.
Registration with SERVEF is carried out at the SERVEF office that corresponds to the residence of the worker in question. To find your nearest SERVEF office, call 012.
How do I start my own business?
All those interested in starting a business must possess the corresponding authorisations/permits to work.
To carry out business activities as a self-employed worker, immigrants must meet the same requirements as Spanish citizens.
Residence and self-employed work permits are restricted to holder's geographic area, specific business activity and duration.
For information on how to start a business or create a company, contact the following agencies/organisations:
- Chambers of Commerce (Camara de Comercio)
Alicante: c/ San Fernando, 4 - Tel.:
965 201 133
Castellón de la Plana: Av. Hermanos Bou, 79 - Tel.:964 356 500
Valencia: c/ Jesús, 19 - Tel.:963 103 900
If the foreign worker is aged 30 or younger, they can also contact:
- Valencian Youth Institute (Instituto Valenciano de la Juventud) Young Company Creation Programme (Programa de creación de empresas jóvenes), c/ Hospital, 2, Valencia, tel.: 963 985 941
If you're a woman, please contact:
- Council for Social Welfare, General Directorate for Women's Issues (Conselleria de Bienestar Social. Dirección General de la Mujer)
C/ Náquera, 9, Valencia, tel.:961 971 600 - Association for the Development of Women Entrepreneurs (Asociación para el Desarrollo de Mujeres Empresarias)- Free services for members. This association's headquarters are located in Valencia, in Av. Barón de Cárcer, 17 - 3º, tel.: 963 521 816, fax 963 524 763
- More information is also available on the SERVEF website , www.gva.es/servef/portal.htm
How do I apply for a microloan?
If you wish to start your own business but do not have the necessary capital, you can request more information on microloans at:
- Chambers of Commerce (see above section)
- Seniors Españoles para la Cooperación Técnica (SECOT)
- Alicante: C/ San Fernando, 4 - Tel.: 965 201 133
- Valencia: C/ Pie de la Cruz, 19 - 3º - Tel.: 963 152 000
- Alicante: C/ San Fernando, 4 - Tel.:
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- Alicante: C/ Conde Lumiares, 3-B - Tel.: 965 916 251
- Castellón de la Plana: Camino San José, s/n - Tel.: 964 724 850/52
- Valencia: C/ Mosen Fenollar, 9 bajo - Tel.: 963 802 244
- Alicante: C/ Conde Lumiares, 3-B - Tel.:
Workers Rights and Responsibilities
A worker who has applied for and received their corresponding permits to work and reside in Spain has the same rights and responsibilities as Spanish workers.
Temporary workers promise to return to their country of origin once their work contract has ended, and must visit the Diplomatic Office or Consulate which issued them their original visa within one month after their authorisation to reside in Spain has ended. The non-fulfilment of this responsibility can lead to refusals of future applications for work permits. Fulfilling their responsiibilities and visiting the pertinent diplomatic office or consulate, will give the worker a preferred status in the event they wish to apply for other offers within the same activity.
The worker will also earn preferred status to receive a "B" type preliminary work permit if they have worked in seasonal occupations for four years, consecutive, or otherwise.
Employers' Rights and Responsibilities
Rights for foreign workers are the same as that of Spanish workers, as set out in the current legislation.
The responsibilities of the employer in the hiring of immigrant workers are, in addition to being set out in the work-related legislation, also established as part of the immigration scheme, as follows:
Before hiring a foreign worker, an employer must request the pertinent work permit. This permit can also be requested by the worker themselves.- With respect to seasonal workers, the employer must also:
- Provide workers with adequate accomodation that meets the conditions set out in the current legislation on accomodation of this type.
- Guarantee continuous work for the worker throughout the period stated on their work permit.
- Arrange foreign workers' travel to Spain and their return to their country of origin. At the very least they must cover expenses incurred on the first trip and transport to and from the point of entry in Spain and the accomodation provided for said workers.
