Part-time Work Options in Spain for International Students

When pursuing higher education abroad, part-time jobs play a very helpful role as they help you manage your finances, and also give you the opportunity to gain work experience and meet new people. In a sense, part-time jobs give you a complete experience of the student culture and life. In this article, we will inform you about the part-time job opportunities in Spain, where to find them, earnings, duration, and more.

Resting in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain’s reputation as a higher education destination has been thriving, with the international student population accelerating over the past few years. As per reports, there were around 208,366 overseas students (153,089 in regular courses and 55,277 in mobility programmes) pursuing higher education in Spanish universities. Moreover, the country promises the aesthetes an unforgettable stay as it offers multi-sensory delight through its historic art and literature, architecture, local food, age-old citadels, flamenco music, bullfights, and much more. So, if you’re targeting quality education at a reasonable cost and don’t wish to be financially strained over the living expenditure, feel free to lock ‘Spain’ as your study abroad choice.

Observation states that most of the students arriving in Spain for higher studies opt for streams such as law, engineering, management, health sciences, hospitality management, etc. Various historic and new universities in the country offer distinct courses which one may choose from. Also, for the unversed, many of these prominent institutions feature among the top 300 universities globally such as the University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Madrid, University of Valencia, University of Seville, and others.

Check: Popular Jobs in Spain for Indians

Source: Ministerio de Universidades

Need for Part-Time Jobs while Studying

It isn’t an unknown fact that lots of students studying in universities/colleges around the world pick up part-time employment or work while completing their studies. This not only aids them in supporting their tuition fee and other expenditure but also helps them gain some experience in a different field or in one related to their own program. Even though living in Spain doesn’t hit your pockets much, many times students still choose to work so as to earn a little bit of pocket money.

Job Availability in Spain for Non-Spanish Speakers

Although you need not worry if you’re not fluent in Spanish and wish to work in Spain, the fact remains that more weightage is given to the candidature of those who speak the language. Renowned international companies give preference to those who know both English and Spanish. Also, a job search in Spain might not be easy initially as your profile will be competing with those of the Spanish nationals. International students wishing to work part-time in Spain must keep in mind that the majority of the opportunities available to them are full-time. So they’ll have to look hard for such half-time employment which does not clash with their university schedule. So your search should begin at the earliest. 

Check: Cost of Living in Spain

Average Earning Per Hour

As far as earnings are concerned for part-time students, the amount will depend upon the kind of work you choose and your citizenship. In Spain, the average salary obtained per hour is €8.45 in 2023 and the overall average salary for part-time international students is €450.

Student Visa and Work Permit for International Students

There are a few restrictions which have been imposed by the Spain student visa on students holding nationalities of other countries. It is important for you to adhere to the set rules if you’re planning to work part-time alongside studying. Also, in comparison to EU/EEA students, international students need to face more formalities. 

For a bachelor's programme, a student should expect to pay €700 - €3,500 (Rs 63,674 to Rs 3,18,368) annually, whereas, for a master's degree course, the average fee is €1,000 - €3,500 (Rs 90,962 to Rs 3,18,368) annually. Students should explore a course of their interest, in a recognized university, before going ahead with their student visa application. They also need a confirmation or a letter of acceptance from the said university, after which they can reach out to the Spanish embassy and start the visa application formalities.

Work Authorization for Part-Time Job

You won’t be able to obtain work authorization directly as a student. According to the proper legal process, your employer will have to contact the immigration office in the province, where you will work, and begin with the work authorization application procedure. After depositing the fee, you will have to wait for a response after which you will be allowed to work. A few things which are to be kept in mind with regard to your part-time work are explained below:

• You don’t need a work permit if you’re working as an intern. This internship should be a part of your program
• You can do part-time work for only 20 hours per week during the academic semester
• The time period of the contract set by your employer should not exceed your study visa’s duration
• You are permitted to work full-time during the non-academic term provided the duration of your contract is of maximum 90 days
• When you will apply for your student visa’s renewal, you won’t be allowed to declare your part-time work earnings as an income source

Check: Best Business Schools in Spain

Documents Required for Student Visa and Work Authorization

The following documents should be kept ready by the Indian nationals when applying for a Spanish student visa and work authorization:

Check: Spain Student Visa Guide

Sources to find a part-time job in Spain

Networking: As finding part-time employment is a difficult task in Spain, it is always good to rely on some or other authentic sources for a quick outcome. For this purpose, you can inform your friend circle that you’re actively searching for a job. It may also be possible that some of your friends may themselves be looking for a pet sitter or a nanny for someone’s child and may refer you immediately. Always reach out to those you can count on.

College Career Centre: Every institution has a dedicated career or placement centre, which helps students explore various possibilities. One can approach the member-in-charge and discuss the kind of part-time job options available. In case you’re unable to find something off-campus, you may also work in your institution’s cafes, gyms, or libraries.

Online resources: There are various decent job portals available where one may explore fresh openings. Platforms such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, infoempleo.com, or Thelocal can help you in your part-time job hunt. Social media giants such as Facebook and Instagram have many local job-listing pages, where you can search for different options and also contact the employer directly. Many times your city’s local restaurants and shops also advertise job openings.

Career Fests: Placement or career fests are organized by almost all the good universities across the globe. These events not only give you a chance to meet professionals from distinct fields, but your job hunt also becomes easier as everything you wish to enquire about is made available under one roof.

Check: International Students’ Guide to Study in Spain

List of popular part-time jobs in Spain

Listen below in the table are the most popular part-time jobs which are normally available to international students in Spain.

It has been noticed that the majority of international students studying in universities grab those jobs which do not need them to possess a lot of experience or skills. Among such jobs are bartending, distributing leaflets or working as a waiter in cafes or bars. Whatever might be your area of interest, you are sure to find a job in Spain which will handle your side expenses while completing your studies.