Re: Is it realistic?
 

If you were able to find a job then you'd be paying social security contributions and therefore be able to register for public healthcare (free at the point of use although a person of working age has to pay 40% of the cost of any prescription medications), although dental treatment would still have to be paid for. However, be wary because many employers look for ways to evade paying the full employers' social security contributions, for example by giving their workers a contract for only a part of the hours worked and paying cash under the table for the rest, which means that workers' entitlements are reduced.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

With German and English you have a lot more chances to get work. Unless you have a specific skill in software, these customer service positions are unfortunately poorly paid and really only something for young graduates who still get pocket money from mummy & daddy. Rental shortages and higher house prices aside, I would earn more cleaning toilets here in Ireland and the very basic living costs are quite similar. Coming from Germany you will know Goodbye Deutschland and how often people fail. Easier to make and save money elsewhere and just spend extended weekends in Spain for now.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

As long as the contract is registered with INSS you will be paying some SS even if the hours are not accurate. There is no minimum payment for healthcare so even part time will get you a healthcard. The only thing that disadvantages you if paid some in black is the amount you get for Paro and your pension

Re: Is it realistic?
 

My wife's friend works for a scandanavian call centre and actually earns over 2.000 € a month!!. It is very well paid.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

Well, if well paid is questionable;). No doubt there are people earning more in call centres, but they are often managers or might work in sales selling through calls.
Looking at standard customer service agents many are below 26K, even €2000 after tax is not much for somebody in their 40's these days but Spain makes them believe it's good.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

Funny enough I know there are English speaking call centres somewhere in the region of Fuengirola / Malaga. I have no idea what they deal with but guess it will he some sort of expat insurance or similar. I only know this as someone I knew their son worked for one and went to live in Fuengirola. I don't know how much they pay but would guess it isn't high. There is an excellent rail system that runs between Fuengirola and Málaga connecting all areas in between. I'm afraid I do not know any details of these companies only that there are some in that area.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

There are plenty of companies and language speaking jobs, some don't show salary but these do. Of course they always sell you the dream;).

https://g.co/kgs/uV5Kvn
Entry Level Outbound Sales
Salary: depends on the project (17000-26000€ gross/year)


https://g.co/kgs/yYpczm
German Inside Sales Representative
Competitive gross annual salary of 21,600 • Opportunity to earn up to 7,400 in bonus per year

https://g.co/kgs/WiY7TM
*Salary**:1650 €/month
Finnish-speaking Customer Service Agents for a Scandinavian bank

https://g.co/kgs/cgt1zi
Customer Service Advisor
Salary: 17.400 Euros gross/year + up to 1.800 Euros gross/year in bonus

https://g.co/kgs/LkQBwa
French Speaking Call Centre Supervisor Benalmadena, Costa Del Sol, Spain Gross Basic €25,000 per year + bonus up to €2,400 per year

Re: Is it realistic?
 

I would think 1000 a month would be more realistic for the price of a rental these days. So €1500 a month to live on is about right, but obviously only leaves you with €125 a week for EVERYTHING else.

You could always rent a room for a few months and see how the money works out ?

Re: Is it realistic?
 

Options for OP to look into .

Re: Is it realistic?
 

There are quite a few European call centres popping up in Spain. Torrevieja has 2 big ones with swanky offices. They recruit from Scandanavia and pretty much operate under those countries labour laws so the pay is excellent. I know that one deals with breakdowns in Norway. Pretty sure the work is boring but it definitely pays way above the average Spanish wage.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

These call centres have been present in Spain for a long time, even the early 2000's there were plenty. Here an old article from 2014 https://english.elpais.com/elpais/20...42_687748.html
The only problem is that when there are job cuts, those who earned above average struggle with the real local salaries. It's always the same and with these companies, the few team leads stay and the rest of employees come and go.

Here another recent one:
https://elpais.com/espana/2023-07-02...orrevieja.html

Re: Is it realistic?
 

Thank you once again impressing with all advice you've given me. I didn't know about "paying some money under the table" and I won't forget it.

Ronnyone > Are all contracts registered with INSS or are there any "black sheep" as well? I've just found a payslip and was wondering, does it mean the contract is registered with INSS, if "Dto. Cont. Comunes (Social Security contributions)" are on the payslip?

Thank you so much for all the links with the call centres I'll look into it and maybe just email my application to them and see. Have already booked some holidays in September, so maybe I'm lucky and can get an invitation for a job interview - fingers crossed.

Thank you once again!!!

Re: Is it realistic?
 

In my case each time I receive a new contract ( I have one that is fixed but finishes and starts at various points) I receive a notification from INSS informing it is active or not alta/baja). This is what should happen as it means your boss has registered the contract and your SS number. Once you have that you receive free healthcare although you need to register at your central salud. All is done automatically. It is irrelevant how much you work or the size of your contributions as your boss is actually paying them. You can also check your status, contributions and pension forecast in the government app. Some people will be paid some of their money black ( commission type work etc) and it is not uncommon. The main drawback is that if you want to draw unemployment benefit at any time you will only receive proportionate to official amounts. The main disadvantage is that it can really effect your pension if you intend to stay in Spain. However the present government have done alot to reform the Labour practices in spain and unscrupulous employers are finding it harder and harder to behave like they did in the past. Previous to Sanchez being in power most people had temporary contracts which simply meant that it was more advantageous to not rehire staff at end of contracts but hire new staff so as to constantly limit employees rights. That has now finished and everyone gets fixed permanent contracts - so things are considerably better.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

Ronnyone > Thank you for the good explanation. I'll be very carefully regarding "paying money under the table" don't want to get in trouble.

I've booked holidays to Fuengirola in September, so maybe I can arrange some job interviews around there.

And once again thank you to all of you for your help.

Re: Is it realistic?
 

if you have a contract, then the INSS know about it. "black money" is cash in hand, no contract.

** PLEASE NOTE** - Obviously this website (or its owners) is nothing to do with this converstaion, and this is just us (the members) talking about options.