Canadians in Barcelona?

[wallpaper]

Tyler,

I really appreciate your time here, I am really thankful when someone actually answers a post!

I understand how difficult it can be to have something lined up before you get there, so I think your method, the more costly method, might be one's best chance of getting there at all. I would have three months right?

You mentioned English speaking companies, is that rare, or just hard to find employment? Do you have any names you could throw out there? Also, what type of employent should I even expect out there?

What about housing? I am interested in your general area, is renting difficult out there?

I dont think speaking spanish will be a problem. Im learning now, and I know there will be a steep learning curve but Im excited about the challenge.

Again, I appreciate your input because I think youre about a half year ahead of where I want to be. I hope your job search goes well and that you take the time to enjoy where you are. Also, much credit to you for going in head first!

[McKaig]

Hey buddy, no problem at all. some nice people on these forums helped me out when I was in your spot, so I return the favour.

Ya, 3 months is the legal timeline for a tourist visa, but at the airport when I landed in Madrid, it was the easiest customs Ive ever been through, they didnt ask for anything like return flight, if we had enough money to support ourselves, anything like that. What I'm told though is if you are hear longer then 3 months, just go visit france for a day and come back, and you get another 3 months. Just a little loopwhole.

As for jobs? Well its the offseason over here right now, (even though the streets are still packed all the time). I havn't found one yet, but Ive been doing more sightseeing these past 2 weeks rather then really putting my nose to it. I would say Spanish is almost a necessity though, but the good thing is, if you know Spanish, and also speak English as well as we do, then that will open up a ton of doors. My spanish is about 20% i'd say, so living here will obviously improve it, then studying the language more when I get back to Canada will ultimately give me the best chance to find a decent job.

As for housing. you will find places all over, just like any other big city. Its ALL apartments. The prices are virtually the same in the city for everything as they would be in Toronto for example, BUT in Euros. which is like ~1.6:1 with CAD. So, a big mac meal costs 6.50 Euros, but will cost you $10. So take this example and apply it to EVERYTHING. Its costly. But again, this is in Barcelona. (Mardrid was the same). For an English speaking person, you will find it almost crucial to live in one of these more international cities though, for life lines.

Then again, you might get out here and change your mind too. maybe out in the plains is your thing and you just needed to travel half way around the world to find that out lol. I say just buy a ticket and go.

Tyler

[wallpaper]

Hey man, thanks for the tips.

I know that things are more expensive out there, but I was never able to actually put a value to it. Youre example really puts it into light! I love how everything always comes back to the big mac.

I think youre absolutely right about being in a larger city, especially as a foreigner. I would like to live just outside Barcelona, so as not to get too caught up with the "ultimate tourist destination", while still having access to the lifelines you mentioned.

Again, thanks for the tips. I think I need to just book a flight and see for myself. Hopefully I can make it work.

[Bluesky]

Hey!

For being a non-EU citizen finding work in Spain can be quite the task. My boyfriend has been here for 2 years, but that's because he has a dual Canadian/British citizenship. However, I only have a Canadian citizenship and have been working under-the-table jobs here in the city. I teach English and that seems to be the most popular job choice and the easiest to find if you don't have an EU passport.
On the other hand, there are some international companies around that I'm sure will hire and go through the paper work for other people. I do know that sometimes this paper work can be extremely time consuming and for the average job might not even work. I've heard that since Spain is in the EU a company may have to prove that they cannot hire any other EU citizens to fill the position and therefore have to hire outside. I'm not too sure on all the details though.
Personally I've just been working cash-in-hand jobs and hoping that I don't get nabbed by immigration when I head back to Canada.
Also, McKaig was absolutely right about the cost of living here. It can be quite a bit more expensive than back home. However apartments are always readily available. Take a look at Spain's version of Kijiiji - "loquo" for some ideas on apartments and jobs

[wallpaper]

Bluesky,

Thanks for the info! I think youre absolutely right about the technicalities of getting a job in a foreign country. A good friend of mine went to the US to land an engineering job down there, and they had to go through the same steps and paperwork to prove that he was 'more qualified to do the job than a US citizen', which, if you think about it, is a pretty ridiculous claim. I mean, I like the guy, but the united states of america is a pretty big place so the odds werent in his favour if you take the regulations seriously! I am hoping the process is similar in the EU, although I imagine it will probably be a bit more strict.

The hardest part for me is finding those international companies in the area. I am doing some research but it is difficult to pull these names out from no where, especially when Im not too familiar with the area. So the hunt continues.

Thank you very much for that link. I have just looked at it briefly and I think some dedicated digging will help me in the areas I mentioned above.

Again, thanks for your input! If all else fails, maybe Ill teach english as well!

[carebrennan]

McKaig you mentioned a loophole of going to France for the day and then getting another 3 month tourist visa. One thing to keep in mind is that with the E.U. there are no longer border crossings which signify you "leaving the country", so that loophole isn't as true as it might sound. You can go to another country but you will need to get to a non EU country to get the "out" stamp and then a new "in" stamp. That too might cause the problem when the "in" person checks your passport and then realizes that you are over the 3 month timeline. I think this might be something that used to work but with the increased security since 9/11 and the changes here with the EU and its agreements you might want to check into this further before doing it and being deported. I am not saying this is the case for sure either but use caution and for others reading your post know this factor as the loophole may not exist.

[wallpaper]

Carebrennan,

I have read the following on a government of Canada website:

As visitors to Spain, they may remain in the country for a maximum period of three months during a six-month period effective from the date of entry stamped in their passport, on their first entry into any of the countries of the Schengen territory: France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Austria, Greece, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland. The Schengen Convention, in force since March 1995, has abolished internal borders between these countries. While this now allows non-European Union nationals, such as Canadians, to circulate freely within this borderless area, it has, however, also now restricted the length of their stay within the whole of this territory to a maximum of three months within a six-month period.

Care, I think this provides support to your argument.

McKaig, maybe you should take a trip up to London instead!

[carebrennan]

Thanks wallpaper. That is great to have the exact rules so people know and that it is part of this thread of conversation. Loopholes might exist but the clear rules are stated.