Sun101

Hi,

A friend has found a job Spain paying 800 Euro per month. This is before taxes and has zero benefits, except of course SS after he pays his tax.
The good news from the crap pay is that he would only have to work 25 hours (Monday to Friday 8am- 1pm) per week and get all public holidays as well as a three week break at Christmas.
Is this enough to live in the Navarre region of Spain?

Thanks

stuboy

If he has to pay rent out of that salary then he will struggle.

chrisjolly

He will have to get another job which he can do if he is only working 25 hours a week or else find a kennel to live in. It will be a struggle...

me me

Is he a TEFL teacher?

teuchterpete

There are immigrants who do it in the UK, by living together in the same house. If he can find somebody to stay with, and share living expenses, then it seems feasible. By himself, it seems a tall order.
Pete

Retired in Euskadi

Hmm. Anything's possible, but it could be difficult, as said in the other comments.
Navarra is a bit cheaper than Bizkaia perhaps, but depending where. If it's rural, you'd have to rely on public transport & local shops which are always more expensive. If it's in or around Iruña/Pamplona, there may be other job opportunities such as English teaching & shared rent.

avocados

800 euros per month as an employee is more than enough to live on. He won't be paying much income tax on that amount.

If self employed, the SS will make it unsustainable.

amideislas

True, as long as you don't have to pay for rent, utilities, bus, or petrol. Otherwise, what's left of the €800 will buy you a few bags of spaghetti and tomato sauce for dinner every night.

Fredbargate

I could have a substantial Menu del Dia in a local Chinese for €4.90 /day or €150 / month

pixieve

Agreed, €800 pm is plenty to live on! I live on that and I have a child to support also! Rent and bills comes to €500 pm, so im left with €300 pm for food etc. Plenty!

amideislas

Well, there you go! Menu del dia it is.

And that leaves you €650 to pay the rent, utilities, transportation.

Life is good in the sun, isn't it?

steviedeluxe

Agreed. It doesn't seem adequate for someone living on their own (rent alone will take a huge chuck out of it) but if the person concerned can get in with a group of students (I believe Pamplona has a University or two) on a flat share then it becomes more viable. Plus, as mentioned above, there is always the opportunity to give English classes part-time - but be under no illusion, if you are not paying your autonomo fees this is technically illegal. If the OP finds they can get private classes easily, may be better to move into that area properly and earn 20 Euros a class, even if the monthly autonomo fee sucks.
Navarra is a relatively prosperous part of Spain, and unemployment levels are way below what they are in Andalucia, for example.

HBG

Of course you could live on 800 Euros a month. I wish I had done it, I would be a lot healthier than I am now.

We went out for a meal earlier this week that cost a ridiculous amount, and when I stepped on the scales this morning it was pay back time. I wouldn't have to be dieting if I was on 800 Euros a month.

steviedeluxe

Navarra does get hot sunshine (at times) but the greenery of much of its country and hillsides should indicate that rain is not uncommon here.

jackytoo

Less unemployment than andalucía but not exactly booming at 16+%!