By Steven Magill
Spain is one of the few countries in which workers rights movement and unions seems to overpower the big ones. I mean some company even hesitates to hire full time employees because of their rights. For example, if a worker files for sick leave for a month or two, there is no way an employer can replace him because it would mean breaking the employer's end of contract and the employee can sue him if he did so and that would mean incurring fines. So the chances for a full time job prove to be terribly hard and for non-residents nearly impossible.
But there is another way to land a job and that is if you work autonomo. An autonomo is basically someone who is self-employed. Many jobs like to hire people who work autonomo because they are not obliged to provide for any fringe benefits if and when you lose the job. But before you get to land the job you have to comply to several requirements first.
If you intend to become an autonomo worker you have to first obtain your NIE number. NIE stands for "Número de Identificación de Extranjero" which in English means Identification Number for Foreigners. NIE number is a tax identification number for foreigners who wanted to own properties, but in this case for foreigners or non-EU resident (European Union) to get a job in Spain. Other reasons why people wants to get an NIE is when a person wants to apply for credit cards, mortgage or loans, buy cars, secure a property, apply for business permits, driving license in Spain, or even contract for electricity, water and telephone lines. The point is NIE is a way for Spain to get people, especially for foreigners, to pay their taxes.
Another noteworthy thing it does is that it helps you secure insurance and sign on for Spain's National Social Security, Health Services and other long term benefits even without assistance from your employer.
The NIE number is issued by the National Police of Spain. All you got to do is to bring all the required documents, get a form at the station, fill it up and then submit it together with the rest of the documents. The NIE number usually takes about two to three weeks to be processed. But when this number is ready it is up to you to check it from time to time especially if it went beyond the appointed time.
After you acquire your NIE number, the next step to do is to apply for a tax license preferably under a gestor or an accountant to do your monthly and quarterly accounts. After that you have to register for Seguridad Social system (Spanish social security) which by the way you have to pay by direct debit. But since you will be working as an autonomo, the requirement does not stop there. You have to independently run for your other licenses in order for you to be allowed to work. Since your employers will only pay the salary you are due without entitled benefits.
Get your NIE Number without worries!Learn more about NIE Number here
Source:www.isnare.com |
