Pay and working conditions in European countries

Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »

Found: 1

Spain

Minimum wage (salario mínimo interprofesional): €1,221 a month or €40.70 a day in 2026, paid in 14 payments – €17,094 a year. Eurostat spreads this over 12 months, which gives €1,425. Temporary and seasonal workers employed for less than 120 days get at least €57.82 a day, domestic workers €9.55 an hour.
Collective agreements (convenios colectivos) often set higher pay for each sector. You get at least two extra payments a year (pagas extraordinarias), usually at Christmas and in the summer; the agreement sets the amount.
Working time: at most 40 hours a week on average over the year and normally no more than 9 hours a day. You need at least 12 hours’ rest between working days and a weekly rest of one and a half days. Overtime is limited to 80 hours a year.
Holidays: at least 30 calendar days of paid leave a year – they cannot be replaced by money.
Contract: employment contracts must be in writing (with rare exceptions). The probation period is at most 6 months for qualified technicians and 2 months for other workers.

Common questions about job applications and interviews

Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.

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