Be a real estate agent in Spain
Years ago, all real estate agencies were regulated and had to be qualified. Nowadays that is not so and anyone can be a real estate agent. However, the property market in Spain is in recession and times are hard. Thousands of real estate agents in Spain have folded in the last few years. You need to have a licence if you have premises. This licence comes from the town hall. You will need to advertise heavily to find new property listings and the internet will be your best source of enquiries, along with a shop window. Your website will have to be good though to compete with the thoudands that already exist.
Offer building services in Spain
In order to offer building services in Spain, you do not need official qualifications. You will however have to have experience and be able to quickly build up local references. Bad news spreads fast in Spain and if you mess up, people will soon find out about you. Cowboy builders do not last long in Spain. The property market is currently tough but there are people buying cheap properties and looking for alterations. You will need to market yourself well, especially in the local community. Get a good name for yourself and you will keep busy. Associated trades are also good to consider such as decorators, gardeners, plasterers and carpenters.
Open a retail shop in Spain
You can open a shop in Spain with very little problem, selling almost anything. You must ensure there is a demand for your products though or you will not survive. All shop premises need to be licenced by the town hall. If you are retailing Spanish products you will have no trouble finding suppliers. Imported products are a little more complicated. You will need to source them yourself and arrange for import. English bookshops are always popular in Spain, along with English greeting card shops, however they are already well established. Second hand shops go well but there is very little money in it and you will be constantly sourcing stock.
Become a teacher in Spain
Many people consider teaching English in Spain and think that it will be an easy option. Wrong. Firstly the market is saturated with teachers and secondly, you will need to be a qualified teacher. You may also need to have fluent Spanish. There are a lot of international schools that take on teachers from the UK, to teach all manner of subjects. Again, you will need the relevant qualifications. You could always consider offering private English lessons. Some Spanish families employ English people to give after-school English tutoring to their children.
Offer computer services in Spain
If you have computer skills, you might be able to put them to good use in Spain. The English communities have a great need for computer teaching and support, although most already have people they rely on. Private IT teaching is good if you are qualified and experienced. Computer repairs in Spain is great but you need to offer a reliable and quick service. many English people don't like to use the Spanish computer shops as they can be expensive and slow.
Work in the health sector in Spain
Qualifications are key here. You must be qualified to offer any kind of health service in Spain and Spanish is a must. If you have UK qualifications, it may take several months for the Spanish authorities to recognise them so build this into your timescale. Public liability insurance should also be high on your list of priorities.
Offer childcare services in Spain
If you want to work in childcare in Spain it is important that you understand the different culture that the Spanish have towards children. The Spanish relaxed attitude can mean that they do not have the same requirements for childcare as the UK and other countries. Most children will attend a pre-school nursery however, some families prefer to have an au-pair. Many families rely on relatives for childcare, purely because its free. If you want au-pair work then you are best to register with an agency.
Work in tourim in Spain
There is no doubt that tourism in its many forms is a major part of the economy in Spain and there are numerous oportunities for foreigners. This can range from simply working in a hotel, working in a bar or managing your own tourism company. You could consider opening a bed and breakfast in Spain. Maybe build it in with something unique to the area such as cycle rides and hire, canoeing, horse riding, fishing or similar. Good marketing and a good service should ensure you do well. Look very closely first though at your area and local competition. There's a price war on bed and breakfasts most of the time. Try to learn Spanish and if possible, other languages. The more languages you speak, the wider your clientele will be. |
