SeanWilson18

Hello

Can someons please tell me how i can gain spanish qualifications as an Electrician and how long it takes, i am a qualified UK electrician looking to move to southern Spain, i have contacted English electricians already there for advice but no one has responded to my emails.

Thanks for any advice it will be much appreciated.

snikpoh

Unfortunately, the first thing you need is to be fluent in Spanish.

You will need to take all the exams again (in Spanish).

Longlegpete

I thought the UK qualifications were currently EU qualifications so valid throughout Europe, Obviously speaking Spanish would be advantageous

mikelincs

Spanish wiring systems are totally different to UK ones. For one thing in UK houses power to switches for lights are cabled straight down from the ceiling and for power points the go up from the floor, in Spanish houses the conduits run in any direction including diagonally

Longlegpete

Any competent qualified electrician should have no problems with wiring no matter how it's routed or what colour wire insulation is used, his tools and meters would help guide him.
What would matter is weather or not his qualifications are recognised, I always thought UK papers were valid in Spain, however doing some research it would appear from what i can gather they are not, therefore said UK electrician would be capable of doing the work but could not prove it, I guess getting someone else to sign it off would be the only way

Kenwoodlad

When we bought our house in 2012, it needed rewiring. We used a British electrician but the work had to be certified and signed off by a Spanish electrician when he had finished. We were then issued with a certificate to confirm it was legal and conformed to Spanish regulations. This certification cost us €350.

chrisjolly

To become a state qualified electrician will be impossible so just become a self employed electrician and advertise wherever you choose to live. If its an area where there are a lot of Expats they will be sure to use your services and word will spread if you do a good job for a reasonable rate.

paulven

British qualifications are valid throughout the E.U. but in Spain to be authorised, i.e. able to sign off installations as compliant, you need to be authorised by the relevant authority of the autonomous region. However you are able to work for an authorised company or for an authorised contractor without being authorised yourself.
Authorisation requires an exam to be taken, and then registration with the regional authorities.