Teach English in Spain

In addition to salary, many TEFL positions in Spain also include benefits such as health insurance and visa assistance.

The Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) is the national healthcare system of Spain which provides medical insurance to citizens and legal residents free of charge. Non-residents must still pay for medical services though the costs are usually affordable.

Help should be given by employers to teachers to look for suitable accommodation but this is generally not included in your salary.

You should get paid public holidays, Christmas and Easter. The summer holidays (June, July, August) are the busy period of the year for applying for jobs. During this summer break, if you were on a contract you can apply for unemployment benefits of 70% of your salary for the break. If you’re lucky, if you are returning, your school will pay you over the summer, but this is not commonplace.

TEFL teachers in Spain who choose not to take a break over the summer, usually find short-term positions teaching in summer camps around Europe, teaching private students or teaching English online.

Teaching salaries in Spain don’t vary dramatically in the different regions, though salaries are generally higher in the north where the cost of living is higher. What matters more is the type of teaching job you have. More senior, experienced teachers will earn higher than new, inexperienced teachers.

Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia are the most popular cities for TEFL teachers in Spain – possibly because they are known for higher salaries!

As there is only a slight variation in teaching salary according to location in Spain, there is a minimal change in the cost of living. But you’ll find the cost of living is slightly lower in the south of the country, in the smaller cities of Seville and Valencia. The most expensive cities to live in, according to Numbeo.com, are Bilbao and Barcelona.

A single person living in Barcelona looks to pay around  €700 a month (without rent), while a single person living in Valencia can similarly expect to pay €650 a month.

The teaching salaries in Spain are not the highest in the world, but then neither is the cost of living. Because of this, while you might not be able to save a large amount of money, you should still be able to save a large percentage of your salary.

Our top tips for saving money in Spain:

• Share accommodation. As in most cities around the world, rent can take up a fair amount of your monthly salary. Sharing an apartment with a flatmate can make this much more economical.
• Eat local. When eating out, ask for the menu del dia at lunchtime. This is a three-course fixed price menu, including a drink. The food is likely to be deliciosa and it’s definitely good value for money.
• On that note, get to know your local tapas bars and you’ll find some of them offer free tapas with your drink.
• Use local transport. Buses and even trains are cheap and reliable in Spain, so there’s no need to splash out on your own transport. 
• When going out and about in your Spanish city, do your research to find out the best days and times to visit. Many attractions in the city are free (or cheaper) on certain days and at certain times. One of the benefits of teaching in a city is you have the freedom to choose the best time to go! 

Teaching in Spain is the dream for many, but is it realistic?

The first step towards teaching English in Spain is to determine your eligibility. At the very least, for Spain, this means a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL qualification. These aren’t legal requirements but preferred qualifications.

A TEFL qualification from a reputable and internationally recognised TEFL course provider is a must not only for your CV but also to prepare you to teach English in Spain. We recommend a Level 5 TEFL certificate to give you the best chance of securing the job of your dreams in Spain. 

The next consideration is your visa. 

As a European country, an important consideration is your visa. If you are a citizen of a non-EU country you will need a work visa. This can be quite complex and time-consuming and you will need to be sponsored by your school. It can be done but is usually only considered for long-term or high-profile positions.

To get around this issue, there are exchange, homestay or volunteer programs you can get involved in.

And of course, if you have an EU passport, then you don’t need to worry!

Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible to work in Spain, you can check out the thousands of TEFL jobs available in Spain (our Jobs Board is a great place to look) and submit your CV to the ones that catch your eye.

Once you’ve cruised through the application and interview process, once your visa is sorted, all that’s left to do is brush up on your español and pack your sunscreen!