Spain

Standard working hours are 40 per week, with a maximum of 80 overtime hours per year. Overtime is compensated at a minimum of 175% or with time off. Employees receive 22 working days (30 calendar days) of vacation plus 14 public holidays. Spain provides two extra salary payments (pagas extra) in June and December. Sick leave is paid at 60% from day 4 to day 20, then 75% from the social security system. Notice periods are typically 15 days. Spanish labor law has been reformed to limit temporary contracts and promote permanent employment. Workers enjoy strong protections against unfair dismissal with mandatory severance pay.

Madrid and Barcelona apartments cost €700-1,200/month for one bedroom. Smaller cities like Valencia and Seville are much cheaper at €500-800. Groceries cost €200-300/month, among the cheapest in Western Europe. Monthly transport passes cost €40-55. Utilities average €120-180/month. Spain offers one of the best cost-to-quality-of-living ratios in Europe. A single person needs approximately €1,200-2,000/month.

Spain has a varied climate — Mediterranean along the coast with hot summers (30-40°C) and mild winters (8-15°C), continental in central areas with more extreme temperatures, and oceanic in the north with cooler, rainier conditions. Southern Spain (Andalusia) has over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Spain has the fourth-largest economy in the eurozone, but its labor market has historically higher unemployment than northern Europe, at approximately 11.5% in 2024. However, certain sectors face significant labor shortages, creating opportunities for foreign workers. Tourism and hospitality (Spain is the world's second most-visited country), agriculture (especially in Almeria, Huelva, Murcia, and Valencia), construction (recovering strongly), food processing, and logistics are the sectors with the highest demand. Spain's agricultural sector, particularly greenhouse farming in Almeria and strawberry/berry picking in Huelva, relies heavily on seasonal foreign labor.

The most in-demand occupations for foreign workers include agricultural laborers (seasonal picking and greenhouse work), hotel and restaurant staff (kitchen helpers, dishwashers, cleaners), construction workers, food processing workers, warehouse operatives, drivers, domestic care workers (cuidadores), and cleaning staff. Spain's minimum wage in 2024 is EUR 1,134 per month (14 payments per year — Spain traditionally pays 14 monthly salaries, with extra payments in July and December). Many blue-collar positions pay EUR 1,200-1,800 per month depending on the sector, region, and overtime.

For Bangladeshi workers, Spain offers good opportunities, particularly in agriculture and hospitality. The southern and eastern coastal regions (Andalucia, Murcia, Valencia, Catalonia) have the strongest demand. Agricultural work is often seasonal (February-June for berries, May-October for vegetables, September-November for olives and citrus), but year-round work is available in greenhouse farming. The hospitality sector in tourist areas (Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands) has high seasonal demand from April through October. Spain has simplified some visa procedures for seasonal agricultural workers.

Housing in Spain is generally more affordable than in northern Europe, especially outside Madrid and Barcelona. In major cities, renting a room in a shared apartment (piso compartido) costs EUR 300-600 per month. In smaller cities and towns, rooms can be as cheap as EUR 200-350. For agricultural workers, some employers provide on-site accommodation (often basic) that is deducted from wages. Use Idealista.es (Spain's largest rental platform), Fotocasa.es, and Milanuncios.com for apartment searches. Facebook groups like "Pisos compartidos [city name]" are very active. The Bangladeshi community also shares housing opportunities through WhatsApp groups.

When renting, you will need your NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero), passport, work contract or proof of income, and typically 1-2 months deposit (fianza). Read the rental contract carefully, even if you need help translating it. Register your address at the local town hall (Ayuntamiento) for the padron municipal (census registration) — this is essential for accessing healthcare, education, and other services. Be cautious of rental scams — never send money before viewing the property and meeting the landlord. In agricultural areas, worker accommodations may be arranged by the employer or staffing agency.

Opening a bank account (cuenta bancaria) in Spain requires your passport, NIE (foreigner identification number), and proof of address (padron or utility bill). Major banks include CaixaBank, Banco Santander, BBVA, and Bankia. Some banks offer accounts specifically for foreign workers (cuenta de no residente) that require fewer documents. Digital banks like Revolut, N26, and Openbank (by Santander) can be opened online with fewer requirements. Monthly account fees range from EUR 0-8. Most banks offer a basic account (cuenta basica) with no fees if you receive regular salary deposits.

For sending money to Bangladesh, Wise (wise.com) offers the lowest fees and best exchange rates, typically EUR 2-5 per transfer. Remitly (remitly.com) allows direct transfers to bKash and Bangladeshi bank accounts with competitive rates. Western Union and Ria Money Transfer have extensive agent networks across Spain, including locutorios (call/transfer shops) common in immigrant neighborhoods. Small Bangladeshi-owned shops in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia often provide money transfer services. Always use licensed services and get receipts. Spain requires reporting cash transactions over EUR 1,000 when sending money abroad through agents.

Spain has a universal public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud — SNS) considered one of the best in Europe. If you are legally employed and paying social security contributions (seguridad social), you and your dependents are entitled to free public healthcare. Register at your local health center (centro de salud) to be assigned a general practitioner (medico de cabecera). Bring your social security number (numero de afiliacion), TIP card or SIP card (tarjeta sanitaria), and proof of address. GP visits, specialist referrals, hospital treatment, and most medications are free or heavily subsidized.

In emergencies, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (urgencias). Emergency care is provided to everyone regardless of status. For non-emergency issues outside office hours, urgent care centers (centros de urgencias or puntos de atencion continuada) are available. Spanish pharmacies (farmacias — identified by a green cross sign) are abundant and pharmacists can advise on minor health issues. Night pharmacies (farmacias de guardia) operate on a rotating schedule. Many health centers in areas with immigrant populations have intercultural mediation services and some staff speak English. The CCOO and UGT unions can help you navigate the healthcare system.

Major Spanish cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Malaga) have metro and bus networks. Monthly transit passes (abono transportes) cost EUR 40-70 depending on the city and zones. In Madrid, the Abono Joven offers unlimited travel for people under 26 at just EUR 20 per month. Purchase passes at metro stations, estancos (tobacco shops), or through transit apps. For intercity travel, Renfe (renfe.com) operates the national rail network, including the AVE high-speed trains. ALSA and FlixBus offer affordable bus connections between cities.

In rural and agricultural areas where public transport is limited, many workers use bicycles, mopeds, or shared car rides to reach their workplace. Some agricultural employers provide transportation from worker housing to the fields. Used cars can be purchased relatively cheaply (EUR 1,000-3,000), but insurance, fuel, and the ITV inspection (equivalent to MOT) add to costs. Your Bangladeshi driving license can be used for 6 months after obtaining residency, then you must obtain a Spanish license through a conversion process. BlaBlaCar (blablacar.es) is very popular in Spain for sharing rides between cities at low cost.