Looking for a job: Driver

can you speak write and understand Spanish?  if not then you'd only get work with an English company that moves stuff between Spain and UK and that will possibly change after Brexit.  Long distance driving as well and there will be lots of unemployed drivers seeking work after the lockdown as companies go bust.  You'd have to exchange your licence to a Spanish one if you became a resident not sure if you can just do that here either.  

Thanks for the reply, what about any other type of work?

Prior to this Covid virus and lockdown I would have said bar work and waiter work during summer season, but there’s going to be a HUGE amount of experienced casual staff seeking what positions become available after this ends.

Sadly even before Covid Spain had a relatively high unemployment rate,afterwards I suspect it will be even higher,and the Spanish rightly or wrongly(I think rightly) put their own people first.

Haulage remains open across borders so it may be a good idea to google all haulage companies based in the UK that go to Spain and send a speculative CV to them.

good luck, just thought,try contacting Jimbo he has been around this area for years and is a very helpful/knowledgeable guy and may be of more assistance re licence work etc

please mail me at [email protected] or call me on 0034 647200853 or 0044 7985 762606

Obviously the current Covid situation makes all answers subjective - but... If you have a UK licence and can relocate to Spain and gain residencia before 31st December 2020 then, in theory, you can exchange your licence for a Spanish equivalent. 

The practicalities;

Before residencia you need to apply for a NIE - a national ID number. Based on posts on here and other websites applications are on hold.

To apply for residencia you need a NIE, a Spanish address at which you are registered on the local register - “Padrón” or to give it its full name “Empadronamineto.” Satisfy the financial requirements for EU national application for residency (see Citizens Advice Bureau Spain for more details). 

Currently all existing applications for residency at Policía National are cancelled or, possibly on hold, and you cannot book an appointment. Once the restrictions are lifted there will undoubtedly be a deluge of applications from UK Passport holders looking to legalise their status and remain resident in Spain.

The UK government is, currently, saying that they will not extend the Brexit deadline beyond. Dec 2020 so timing looks difficult if you are not already in Spain etc.

Lastly don’t forget that HGV drivers from EU Eastern European countries will be your competition on long haul the same as in the Uk. 

For short haul daily work Spanish language capability would be a must and probably still not sufficient given the number of local drivers who are going to be scrambling for work post lockdown. 

I don’t want to be negative. Spain is a great Country to live in - culture, lifestyle very different to UK and, in my opinion, much better. 

If you want to relocate and you still need to work then you need to think very carefully before making the decision. Double or triply so given the uncertainties of Covid and Brexit.

Just a couple of points.

1. You don’t need NIE (Número Identidad de Extranjero - Foreigners ID number) to apply for Residencia.  Residencia will give you your NIE

2. You don’t need to apply before 31/12/20 - just be residing in Spain prior to that date.  Spain has extended application for Residencia to June 2021; you only need prove by way of Certificado de Empadronamiento that you took up residency before end of transition period.

3. Licence : tricky one.  Theoretically you should be able to exchange until end of transition period, but Tráfico were saying that the cutoff for people to exchange licences was March 2020.  Whether they have extended that deadline because of Covid is uncertain, but you need Residencia prior to obtaining a Spanish Carnet de Conducir.  

Whilst the application process for Residencia is held open until June 2021, anyone who gains Residencia after the end of the transition period almost certainly faces having to take a Spanish driving test, in Spanish, to regain their licence. If Tráfico hold true to their cutoff, this may already be the case.