Summer work wanted

Let me get this straight: you are asking us to help and advise you on how do do something illegal? Big no-no!

Are you asking us to help you work illegally in Spain, where the unemployment rate is about 24 per cent, thereby taking a job from a Spanish citizen? If earning money while you are there is the only way you can spend the summer in Spain, then you really need to re- think this. By the way, jobs teaching English in Spain are probably mostly taken by Brits who, of course, have EU passports and can work anywhere in Europe.

I'm sorry but I'm not looking to take jobs from Spaniards. I am looking for the jobs that are in demand for native English-speakers. Jobs that ARE outsourced already. Those jobs do exist and it's because of the Spaniards needing and hiring native English speakers for teaching English, editing English copy, posting English on social media and creating websites in English. Those are needed to turn their economy around and make them more competitive and attract tourism. I suppose you are right that those go to the Brits. I've read working under the table is common there so sorry if I offended by asking about it. I would also be open to volunteering. I want to learn Spanish and I think working in the Spain would help enrich that experience and help my Spanish vocabulary.

The indisputable fact remains that without an EU passport you cannot work in Spain, teaching English or sweeping streets. Even volunteering, as a non-EU person, would be unlikely. Time to go to Plan B.

Thank you for the question and replies thus far. As a reminder of our Community Guidelines...

"Do not help people break laws. Speaking of the existence of law breaking is OK. Sharing how to circumvent visa restrictions, scam hotels, or perform other illegal acts is prohibited."

Any posts violating this guideline risk the banishment of their account from the forum.

Perhaps there is e.g. an American company that you can work for while you're abroad. Good luck!

Or if you would be interested in volunteer work to help you learn Spanish, there are probably opportunities with organizations in Spanish-speaking areas of U.S. cities (no visa problem)

Of course, you have to cover your own expenses...

Your goals are admirable and should be perused legally. Why would you want to put yourself in the position of being an illegal alien? Remember the attitude in this country towards illegals. Do you want that for yourself? The penalties for a Spanish company hiring an illegal in Spain is more severe than in the US so most companies are not going to be interested in you without a proper work permit. Second, you might not even get into the country if the immigration officer gets a hint you will be working illegal in the country. You would be forced to buy a very expensive one way ticket back to the US. You asked for advice and you are getting it. Do not make light of it.

The only way you could work legally in Spain is to be sponsored by an employer there who will do the necessary work visa paperwork for you. Since you mentioned "under the table" work, I assume you already realize that a work visa will be a virtual impossibility. Even companies like Vaughan Systems, who is in the business of teaching English, only hire those with qualifications to work in the EU.

The right answer to your question has already been responded above by other members: NO, you can't get a part-time or any other type of job within any country in the EU without a work permit. Full stop. And being in possession of an MBA means nothing over here as a big chunk of the unemployed also have one or more MBAs. Sorry.

Quite a few NorthAmericans have this romantic notion so often portrayed in Hollywood movies of arriving into a small town, picking up a "help wanted" sign from the window of a little shop and starting to work right away. I'm sorry to say that's far from reality here in Europe. In most countries, including Spain, establishing a working relationship (even on a small pop-and-mom shop) requires a few formalities, some paperwork and a adhering to a set of strict rules (ie. being in possession of a work permit if you're not an EU citizen, as mentioned above). Few employers will risk hiring someone illegally because, as mentioned also, fines are quite hefty.

Just enjoy your holidays as a tourist :)

and think of it another way, kristin....

If you have earned an MBA, I expect that you have worked very hard to get it and I bet that you, or somebody, have paid a lot of money for that education.

If you get caught doing something illegal that will follow you all your life. What will that do to your employment prospects? How much money will that cost you over your life?

And then there is the ban on European travel. If you are caught it is likely that you will be banned from entering Europe - all of the EU, the great majority of all Europe, for a long time - probably 10 years. In addition to going onto the computers, a great big stamp will be put into your passport with the banning order. What will the US immigration people do when you return?

It isn't worth the risk.

Keep your record clean.

All accurate advice but have a feeling that we will never hear from Kristin again since I am convinced that she thinks she can pull this off.

I don't know what that is suppose to mean, Frank, or why you would think that. I got my answers straight away that I should neither plan to look for under the table work nor is it acceptable. I honestly didn't know that. I just started looking into this in the past couple days. You can all continue to add your two cents but I don't have to keep responding. I've moved on to exploring homestays with families in Spain (conversing in English in exchange for room/meals) or providing social media/marketing services in exchange for boarding. No thanks to any of you for suggesting by the way. Maybe instead of echoing what the first few posts say with your bullying and futile commentary you could have provided something constructive. Peace out.

I'm sorry kristin you feel that way. As the only local responding I was trying to reinforce the sound advice on this matter given by others.

homestays with families in Spain (conversing in English in exchange for room/meals) or providing social media/marketing services in exchange for boarding.

Just FYI, both of those are illegal without the proper visa.

Both are working with compensation.

I don't understand the phrase "peace out". I used to live in US but it was a long time ago (I live in Europe now) and that isn't a phrase I am familiar with. Are you saying there is no peace?

You might want to take a thorough look at the Vaughan Town volunteer program. It says:

"Who are the English-speaking participants?
Over 9,000 volunteers from all over the world have come to Spain to take part in this cultural holiday program: writers, doctors, social workers, backpackers, executives, musicians, students, etc… The variety is endless: participants from over 12 different countries, between ages 18-80, and a healthy mix of temperaments and personalities."

And...

"Do I need a visa if I am not an UE citizen?
If you are not an UE, USA, Canadian citizen, please contact your embassy. We can send you a letter of invitation for Vaughan Town if required."

And...

"What expenses will I be shouldering?
You will pay for your flights to and from Madrid and any accommodation before and after the program. Our company will cover all the expenses as soon as the program officially starts on Sunday morning. Vaughan Systems provides you with accommodation and three meals a day in any of the venues, transfers to and from the towns from Madrid and accident insurance during the course of the program. We also invite you to a tapas sampling orientation on Saturday afternoon where you get acquainted with the volunteers in your group."

You do need to apply and it may be too late for this summer. It does indicate that a US citizen can participate and will receive room and board for their volunteer efforts. My husband and I are old folks, but we do have it in our back pocket as a fun and useful thing to do on a trip to Spain.

If anyone knows anything bad about this or contrary to what is found on their website, please speak up!

I will check this out Tucson! Thank you! You have been very helpful.

Vaughantown programs run Sunday to Friday (6 days). Vaughantown gives the Spaniards English immersion for the purpose of improving their fluency. No actual teaching is done, they just take part in things like conversation, telephone calls, conference calls, skits, games, and meals. Speaking of Spanish is strictly forbidden during the program, so it won't help an Anglo learn Spanish, or even hear it spoken since you are basically onsite for the whole week. All programs through September are currently full.
And, of course, it is volunteer. As I said before, Vaughan does not hire English teachers who are not qualified to work in Spain.

Reminds me of Hula-Hoop Lady... although to be fair, without an understanding of Schengen Treaty labor laws, the idea in this thread at least sounds reasonable.

Kristen instead of getting angry....get a clue. You have no hopes of working in Spain. Trust me.. I have tried it. Nobody is being mean to you but giving you the truth. Get over it and move in a different direction. Maybe Mexico or a South American country. Better yet how about Puerto Rico? If your goal is to learn Spanish then Puerto Rico is right for you. It is part of the US and no visa no stay limits imposed

For you, Nigel, with a warning to all that any 'urban dictionary' link will probably contain some colorful language. And one of my husband's favorite
'sign offs'

'Cause he's such a gangsta...like Kip ;-)

kristin.rae, keep researching other ways to spend time in Spain; there's a Kindle book for $2.99 on Amazon.com about someone's week spent as a Vaughan Town volunteer in Spain ("Diary of a Vaughan Town Volunteer in Spain"). I've read nothing but good things about Vaughan Town, but I have no personal experience. Keep working on a way to get there and study!

Vaughantown is fantastic (I have been twice, with more in the works), but the book you reference is terrible. My blog, Anglo in Spain, gives a better account (it's about my first Vaughantown).

There are not many who remember the Hola Hoop exchange. Truly unique. The issue here is that Kristin needs to earn money while in Spain in order to stay in Spain. Most of us have been fairly blunt in telling her that she cannot do it legally. But she knew that going in because her question indicated that she would be working "under the table." And she said she knew, " I wouldn't be legal." So the question we keep asking is, "Why do you want to do something that you know is illegal?" And obviously carries some risk. Then in a later response she says ," I honestly didn't know that ". But she did.

The Vaughamtown program doesn't meet her objective of learning Spanish. Even volunteering can be on the edge and, of course, it doesn't generate any money. I think she was hoping for an answer that said, "Ya, go for it. And here is how to cheat." She didn't get the answer she wanted so now she is angry with us for being non-responsive.

Frank,
Re your most recent post, I agree.
At some point, giving accurate answers and telling some OP's what they want to hear, are going to conflict. You can't do both all the time, on a board like this.

"...but the book you reference is terrible."

I would assume as much LOL; lots of 'self-published' stuff in Kindle books is.

My broader point is that there is lots of info out there on various language study programs - even including bad, self-published diaries ;-) Start researching...and perhaps put your trip off for a year if you need to save up money for a better trip.