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Spain

Employment Guide & Cultural Intelligence

Overview

Capital Madrid
Currency EUR
Language Spanish
Time Zone UTC+1 (CET)
GDP per Capita $30,120
Work Week 40 hours

Employment Basics

Standard Work Week 40 hours
Notice Period 15 days standard
Probation Period 6 months
Overtime Rules Max 80 overtime hours/year; premium pay required
Termination Rules Severance of 20-33 days pay per year of service
Minimum Wage €1,134/month (14 payments)

Statutory Benefits

22
Annual Leave Days
14
Public Holidays
36
Total Paid Days Off
Parental Leave 16 weeks each for both parents
Sick Leave Day 4-20: 60% pay; day 21+: 75% pay

Employer Cost Summary

30%
Employer Tax/Contribution Rate
Mandatory Insurance Social Security contributions (~30% employer)
Retirement/Pension Public pension system funded by Social Security
Healthcare Universal healthcare; employer Social Security contributions

Cultural Intelligence

Communication Style

Warm, expressive, relationship-oriented

Hierarchy

Moderate hierarchy; personal relationships important

Meeting Norms

May start late; flexible timing; relationship-building first

Negotiation Approach

Relationship-driven, flexible on timing, personal trust matters

Gift Giving

Appropriate at social occasions; quality appreciated

Taboos

Avoid rushing business discussions; respect siesta traditions

Hiring Tips

1 Spain pays 14 monthly salary installments (including two bonus payments)
2 Temporary contracts are heavily regulated after labor reform
3 Regional languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician) matter in some areas
4 Probation periods depend on company size and contract type
5 Social Security costs are among the highest in Europe
Quick Facts
  • Work Week 40 hrs
  • Annual Leave 22 days
  • Public Holidays 14
  • Employer Burden 30%
  • Probation 6 months
  • Currency EUR
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