9 Reasons Why Teaching in Spain Feels Like A Dream Job

Teaching English in Spain ticks more boxes than just its sunny beaches and siesta hours. With over 99% of primary school pupils learning English across the country, demand for teachers keeps growing – in state schools, private academies, conversation programs, etc. So, if you’re aiming for a career that lets you work, live, and immerse yourself in one of Europe’s most photogenic countries, you’ve chosen wisely!

Aside from the comfort factor, here are nine compelling reasons to seriously consider pursuing your dream job as a teacher in Spain.

1. Getting certified is affordable and straightforward

Before you start teaching, you’ll need a TEFL certificate. A 120-hour TEFL course can cost between $100 and $500, with combined TEFL + student visa packages running up to €2,950-3,500. That’s a solid investment when weighed against the typical tutor salary of €15-€25 per hour you’ll earn once you’re certified.

Living costs during the course are manageable, too. Shared accommodation runs around €300-€400 per month in Spain, with food costing about €50 per week. The math proves that even with course fees and living expenses, you won’t face sticker shock. Many programs also bundle in housing assistance and placement help, making it smoother to start teaching quickly after certification.

And the return on investment shows up fast: once you’re in Spain, your teaching salary starts immediately, and with private tutoring on the side, many teachers earn €700-€3000 per month, quickly offsetting the upfront cost. Plus, after certification, you’ll often qualify for schools that sponsor work visas, giving you both a pathway to residency and a passport to longer-term opportunities.

2. You don’t need to speak Spanish to get hired

Many schools in Spain hire native English speakers even if they don’t speak a word of Spanish. In public schools, roles like language assistant are often filled by native speakers, and placement programs like Auxiliares de Conversación expect you to teach entirely in English. In private academies, conversational English is the focus: almost all state schools include English in their curriculum, and private academies run their classes entirely in English from day one.

That makes Spain ideal for first-time teachers who feel more confident in their English skills than in Spanish. You don’t have to worry about fiddling with grammar while trying to explain it in two languages. Instead, you can focus on lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching real conversation, right from week one.

And if you decide to learn Spanish later, the work doesn’t demand it-most English teaching jobs list Spanish as “not required.” That means you can start teaching immediately and ease into the language at your own pace in one of the world’s happiest countries. 

3. It’s easy to find work across the country

Jobs aren’t only in big cities: you can find openings all across Spain, from major hubs to smaller towns. For example, the Auxiliares de Conversación program places around 3,000 assistants in Madrid, 700 in Andalucía, and 60 in Cataluña each year. That shows public-school demand spans from the heart of the capital to the quieter corners of the country.

Smaller cities like Valencia, Málaga, and San Sebastián consistently post Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) roles in both public schools and private academies. For instance, in Valencia alone, listings for private language schools often pay between €1,200-€1,800/month. Thus, as even rural communities struggle to fill positions, competition can be lower for the aspiring.

An important thing to note is that the Spanish school year starts in September and runs through mid-June, split into three terms. Peak hiring happens in late August and early September to match the start of the academic year, but some schools-especially private academies-also bring on new teachers in January or even mid-term. Ergo, if you apply just before these windows, you’ll hit the highest demand period and face less competition.

4. You can afford to live on a teacher’s salary

The average language assistant in Spain earns between €700-€1,000 per month, while private academies typically offer €1,000-€3,000 monthly, and international schools may pay even more. For cross-referencing, reports show that a one-bedroom apartment in city centres like Seville or Valencia costs around €650-€750, with utilities and groceries adding another €300-€400 monthly. That gap means even on a modest assistant’s stipend, you can cover rent, bills, food, and still have some left for basic leisure.

Take Seville or Valencia as examples: if you’re earning €1,000, you’d spend about 70% max of that on rent and living costs, leaving room for transport, eating out, and savings. In other words: you’re not scraping by-you’re living! And if you’re hired through one of the many EOR providers that partner with academies or language programs, you may even benefit from smoother payroll processing and better job placement.

Want to increase your income? Private tutoring is easy to set up and pays between €15-€25 per hour. Even teaching two sessions a week can add an extra €200-€500 monthly, which will most likely provide that much-needed leeway between paychecks. 

5. You don’t need a complicated visa to get started

If you’re from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you can apply to teach in Spain through programs like Auxiliares de Conversación using a student visa, not a work visa, which simplifies the process. This visa allows you to live in Spain legally while working part-time in schools and even take on extra hours tutoring privately. Thus far, over 49,000 Americans have taken advantage of this, while in 2023 alone, over 4,500 language assistants were placed across Spain under this visa route.

The student visa application requires a placement letter from your school or program, proof of funds (about €700/month), and private health insurance. Most applicants get approved in 4-8 weeks, and once you’re in Spain, you can renew it annually without flying back home. This lets you stay for multiple years while building teaching experience and improving your Spanish gradually.

Private academies often sponsor full work visas too, especially if you have a TEFL certificate and some classroom experience. In major cities, listings frequently advertise sponsorship, and some schools will walk you through the paperwork. So, while visa logistics sound intimidating at first, Spain has systems in place that make it one of the most approachable destinations for new and seasoned teachers alike.

6. The work‑life balance is built in

Teachers in Spain typically work 20-25 contact hours per week, especially in academies and public schools-significantly less than the 35-40 hours common elsewhere. Most teachers arrange their lessons within four or five days, and schools often stagger schedules to avoid back-to-back late nights. That keeps your evenings clear for prep, free time, or social life.

Long lunches are a cultural staple, too. In many academies, classes run from about 3:30 pm to 10 pm, leaving mid-mornings free for errands, planning, or just a stroll. Public schools follow a structured day with longer breaks between sessions, giving you breathing room between classes and time to reset.

On top of that, Spain gives you up to 14 national public holidays per year, plus regional ones depending on where you live. Schools also observe extended breaks: typically two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter, and a full summer off in August. That built-in time off lets you recharge without asking permission, so feel free to plan your sightseeing tours as you see fit.

7. You’re in the middle of Europe

Living in Spain puts you at the crossroads of Europe, and travel here is cheap. Budget airlines like Ryanair routinely offer flights from Spanish cities to Italy, France, or Germany for around €12.99-€21.99, depending on the season. That means you can hop to Rome or Paris for a long weekend without breaking the bank.

Rail travel is also affordable and flexible. A 4‑day Eurail Spain Pass costs about  €190, while a 3‑day pass is just €150. With that, you can explore Spanish cities like Valencia, Seville, or Granada at your leisure, without worrying about booking each ticket separately.

Throw in budget buses (flights ~€20, long-distance buses often under €30), and you’ve got a travel network that supports spontaneous weekend trips. No need to wait until summer-if a city trip pops up, you can go. Over time, that kind of freedom transforms your teaching stint into a real European adventure.

8. You’ll actually get to know the culture

You won’t just be teaching tourists-you’ll be part of everyday life alongside locals. In many schools, assistants work directly with Spanish teachers and families, and one guest described how students hugged her in class and called her by her first name-a sign of genuine connection. That kind of warmth turns a workplace into a community.

Furthermore, most schools in Spain celebrate traditional events like festivals, holiday parties, and cultural exchanges, allowing teachers to get firsthand insight. For instance, one academy held a Christmas market where staff sold handmade gifts, and there’s always a school gathering around Three Kings Day on January 6 to share sweets and listen to local stories. These aren’t tourist shows; they’re rooted in regional traditions, and you’ll be invited as a peer.

You also get pulled into everyday customs. You’ll live through Semana Santa, join coworkers on tapas nights, or end up in a parade during a local fiesta. That constant cultural immersion-real, informal, and mood‑lifting-lets you experience Spain beyond guidebooks, with friends and colleagues showing you what matters most.

9. Support networks and communities make settling easier

When you start teaching in Spain, you won’t be alone, thanks to many cities having active expat and teacher communities that help newcomers settle in quickly. For example, groups like Meetup’s “TEFL Spain” and Facebook pages such as “Teaching English in Spain” offer resources ranging from housing advice to social events, making it easier to connect and adapt. These communities often share firsthand tips on everything from navigating Spanish bureaucracy to finding the best local tapas bars.

In addition to external expat groups, many Spanish schools actively cultivate a collaborative and culturally rich environment that supports new teachers beyond the classroom. According to a conversation with educators featured in EuropeNow Journal, language teaching in Spain often transcends mere grammar instruction-it becomes a space for cultural exchange and community building. Schools regularly organise group outings, holiday celebrations, and informal language exchanges that create a welcoming atmosphere where teachers, assistants, and local staff share traditions, stories, and social experiences. 

Such activities help teachers feel more connected not only professionally but also personally, stimulating a deeper understanding of Spain’s diverse regional identities and encouraging meaningful relationships with students and colleagues alike. This embedded social support helps transform what could feel like an isolating experience abroad into an enriching, shared journey, where teachers actively participate in both the educational and cultural fabric of their communities.