WORKING & LEGALITIES

DON`T FORGET THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES JAVEA PRESENTS FOR

WORKING FROM HOME AND DISTANCE WORKING

Reliable Fibre Optic Internet access is readily available in Javea and something to check when researching your preferred area. This opens up wonderful opportunities for distance working combined with it´s easy commuting by road, rail and/or air to your home country.

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You need to understand that bureaucracy and red tape is complicated in Spain and to save time, avoid mistakes and minimise stress you will need to seek the help of a gestor. A gestor is not a lawyer but a professional who specialises in official paperwork like business, accounts and fiscal matters. They can help with your residency applications and renewals. Vehicle registration or transfers. Anything involving official forms and paperwork can be handled by a gestor. Not all gestors cover everything. You need to find the gestor who can handle your needs. You may need to use more than one.

In order to open a bank account, buy a property, purchase a car, start a business, take a job - you will first of all need to obtain a NIE number - this is mandatory. NIE = Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero (Foreigner's identification number). Your gestor can start the ball rolling for you but you will need to attend an appointment with the authorities in Denia (or wherever the appointment has been made for you) to proceed and take along the documents your gestor will list.

You can set up a business employing other workers - your gestor will explain everything involved and will help you set up. You can be self employed, as an "Autonomo" with you as a sole worker and pay the relevant Social Security contributions, Income Tax and Value Added Tax. Social Security contributions are paid monthly. Income Tax and IVA (VAT) calculated and paid quarterly. Again this is where your gestor becomes indispensable.

As an employer you would be responsible for ensuring all employee's Social Security and Tax obligations are met.

Or you can be employed and have a contract with your contributions paid by your employer. Then

your only responsibility tax-wise is to make an annual declaration - easy with a gestor.

A minimum of 15 years social security contributions are required to qualify for a pension, with amount of pension calculated on total contributions. Pensions for the self-employed are lower than for the employed.

Property purchases MUST be conducted by a NOTARY not a gestor.

Driving Licences can be exchanged for Spanish licences and renewed in Javea.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND POSSIBILITIES

Being in a tourist area reflects the main types of local employment opportunities. Hospitality, property maintenance, property rentals etc.

You may decide to apply for work with an established business such as a bar or restaurant, which maybe seasonal. Jobs with rental agencies are often seasonal but estate agents seem to operate all year round.

Or your idea might be to have your own restaurant or bar, or open a shop in time for high season.

And, of course, teachers are in demand at the International Schools. As well as the demand for English language teachers by young and old who want to become fluent in the language, often for business reasons.

Professional appointments will require qualifications to be convalidated.

Whatever your employment ambitions a gestor will be needed to guide you through the whole process and help you secure the necessary permissions and documents when needed.