Working in Lanzarote.
Every EU Citizen has the right to work in Lanzarote with full working rights equivalent to that of his Spanish counterpart.
In order to work in Lanzarote the first thing you must do is to obtain a tax number known as a NIE or Número de identidad de extranjero (this is the equivalent of a NIF number, which all Spaniards have). This number will be used in all taxation dealings.
Secondly you must enrol with the social security system and obtain a social security number which you can quote any time you need to see a Government doctor, free of charge. As an employee your social security will be paid by your employer along with tax retention, La Retencion. A specialised agency, known as a Gestoria, can arrange all the paper work and ensure that enrolment is done correctly.
As a self-employed person you will have to apply for a fiscal licence allowing you to trade in a particular field. You will be obliged to pay a minimum quota of social security every month (298 Euros) and submit an income tax return every quarter. At the end of the tax year you will also be obliged to make a declaration or Declaracion de La Renta.
Setting up a company is slightly more complicated and it would be advisable to seek professional help from a person on the island.
It must be remembered that every European citizen has the right to reside in Lanzarote for a period up to 90 days but there after must apply for Residency. Having said that if you work within that period you need to pay social security in order for such work to be done legally. It is important to note that it is the employers of illegal workers that will bear penalties should there be a work inspection.
The requisites for obtaining residency can be explained by the Gestoria.
Checklist
- Before you arrive on the Island organise some sort of medical insurance coverage for the period that you are searching for work.
- Long-term accommodation can be difficult to find especially in the busy summer period so try your best to organise accommodation before you arrive.
- If you arrive without accommodation organised make sure that you bring sufficient funds to acquire a rental. Most rental agreements are signed for six months and require a deposit equal to two months rent and a months rent up front. So if the rental agreement is 600 Euros per month you will normally require 1800 euros to secure an apartment.
- If you are coming to work for a shorter period of time you may be charged accommodation at tourist rates that can be at least double the long let price.
- If you intend setting up a business do contact a reputable Gestoria do organise and complete the necessary paper work for you.
- A working knowledge of Spanish would be a desirable but not necessary asset to have if you intend to work within the main tourist resorts. But on the other hand if you intended to work in areas such as the capital Arrecife a certain degree of fluency would be required.
Related Pages
Guide to buying property in Lanzarote
Finding a property to rent
Idealista – properties to rent in Lanzarote
Fotocasa – properties to rent in Lanzarote
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