Job Guidance< Spanish Regulations

Language teachers in Spain fall into two categories: "trabajador por cuenta ajena" or "autónomo" (self- employed).
Each implies different rights and obligations.

As a "trabajador por cuenta ajena" there are three main types of employment contracts in Spain:

• Contrato fijo discontinuo: An hourly-paid contract with a guaranteed minimum number of hours for the academic year. This contract is automatically renewable and is the most common type of contract offered by language schools today.
• Contrato indefinido : A permanent contract, full time or part time with a fixed monthly salary.
• Contrato por obra o servicio: A contract for a fixed period only; in theory it could only be renewed once, and the total duration of employment cannot exceed 18 months.

As a "trabajador por cuenta ajena" you will find that your take-home pay is about 15% less than your gross pay. This is because social security contributions (covering your right to health care, retirement, unemployment benefits, income tax and other advantages) will have been deducted.

As "Autonomo" (Self Employed), teachers who work for a few hours in several companies may prefer or, in fact, need this status. Since 2009, things have got much easier and cheaper setting up as self employed.

The new "regimen de autónomo" (or self-employed entrepreneur scheme) has a fixed rate of 249€, regardless of your income.