Hi guys. I am a South African citizen really wanting to work in Spain. I lived and went to school in Madrid for 4 years but unfortunately only have a South African passport. I keep hearing it is near impossibly getting a visa if you are not part of the EU - but is it possible?? Does anyone know of other South Africans working in Madrid teaching English? ANY help would be great!

I'm afraid that without an EU passport you have virtually no chance of working legally in Spain. That's not to say that you couldn't secure work illegally (NOT advisable!) but the conditions and pay will be pretty dire. Note that if you enter the country on a tourist visa you will need to leave every three months to renew it.

Thanks - I agree, I don't want to go in on a tourist visa. Since I lived there and went to school there, I know quite a lot of people living in Madrid. Do you think it would increase my chances of getting a EU Visa if I organize a job through someone I know? I suppose I need to also find out from the embassy whether I can keep my visa if I change jobs while I'm over there. It's so disheartening not being able to work overseas! 

Unfortunately visa-processing for non-EU citizens takes 12-16 months, which is why most employers won't bother. Also, to get the visa, employers need official certification to show that the job has been advertised at the local unemployment office and that no suitable EU candidate applied (not a very likely proposition).

Have you considered live-in tutoring? Note that your bed and board seems to be the only 'pay' you get so obviously it's not a long-term solution.

• http://www.clubrci.es/worktravelspain/tutoringinspain.html


• http://www.interexchange.org/content/130/en/Teach%20English%20Overseas%20with%20Working%20Abroad.html (this one's an American site)

I can't think of any other options really. I looked into ancestry visas in case you would have a claim that way but it seems that ancestry visas only allow you to work in the country your ancestors came from – they don't open up the whole of Europe to you. More than ever I realise I am very fortunate to have an EU passport...

Thank so much for your help - think I might have to give up on that idea. Ah, how bitterly disappointing! And yes, you are so very very lucky to have a EU passport...I think my only option is to marry a European! haha

Hi rosanne

I am a South African living in spain for 4 years now,it is possible to work and live in spain

I live in pamplona in the north,i got married recently to a spanish girl but before that I stayed here on a student visa

The thing about a student visa is you only can work 6 hours a day and you can not earn more than 700 euros a month

but I managed to give private english classes afterwards to get a bit more

you must have somebody to support you financially and you need to speak quite good spanish otherwise spain can be quite tuff

let me know if you want anymore info

Praat jy Afrikaans?