Working in Madrid

When it comes to working in Madrid, expats have access to a modern city that lays claim to most of the population in Spain’s central region, as well as the majority of its economic activity. With the economy expanding steadily and unemployment decreasing, Spain's job market is gradually recovering, and this is seen clearly in Madrid.

Jobseekers looking to set themselves apart from their competition would do well to learn some Spanish. Those who are also able to speak a third European language will have an even bigger advantage.

Job market in Madrid

As the country’s capital, Madrid attracts quite a bit of direct foreign investment and a fair number of multinational corporations. The city’s largest economic sector is its service industry, especially corporate services, logistics, communications, real estate and financial services. Information technology and healthcare are also experiencing strong growth.

On average, you’re likely to find more job opportunities in Madrid than in other Spanish cities, but competition for jobs is often much higher than in other major Western European cities.

Working in Madrid will see you receive some of the highest wages in Spain. The downside of this is that the growing population and increased demand for real estate mean that the cost of living in Madrid is also higher than in the rest of the country. Salaries in Madrid are also generally lower than in other Western European countries.

Teaching English in Madrid remains popular among international professionals in the city, while other industries popular with foreign employees include tourism, ICT, finance, pharmaceutical and aerospace. Remote work opportunities are expanding, particularly with Spain’s new Digital Nomad Visa opening doors for location-independent professionals.

Cost of Living in Madrid
Work Permits for Spain

Finding a job in Madrid

Expats from EU countries have the advantage of not needing a work permit for Spain. Employers also typically offer job contracts to other European nationals before looking outside the continent. New arrivals who are non-EU nationals will need to have a job offer or apply to be self-employed to legally work in Madrid. Spain introduced significant immigration reforms in 2025, including a new Job Seeker Visa that allows non-EU nationals to stay for up to one year while searching for employment.

Contact a recruitment specialist or headhunter in Spain to assist with finding a job. There are also several online portals, such as LinkedIn and Spain-specific platforms, which advertise job openings and should be checked regularly.

Useful links

• Madrid City Council
• Indeed Spain
• InfoJobs
• Trabajos.com
• Monster Spain

Work culture in Madrid

Spain’s business culture is strongly rooted in tradition, and some business practices may seem old-fashioned to expats. Once you adjust to this, working in Spain is relatively easy and pleasant. Spanish work culture places strong emphasis on personal relationships and trust-building through conversation and shared experiences.

Hierarchy matters greatly when doing business in Spain, and managers have the authority to make important decisions without consulting their employees. If you're in a mid- or lower-level positions, make sure to show respect for your seniors. The business culture in Spain is gradually changing, and younger Spaniards may uphold slightly different ideals and subscribe to more egalitarian practices.

Making contacts and networking in Madrid is also indispensable. The power of connections is not to be underestimated and is a principle ingrained in the Spanish working world. Take advantage of any attempt to interact with decision-makers and make an effort to attend job fairs and group events.

Learn at least some Spanish. International business may be conducted in English, but other transactions will most likely occur in the local language.

Business Culture in Spain