Starting First Job

Spanish employment begins with obtaining your Social Security number (Número de Afiliación) from INSS - typically handled by the employer but verify it occurs. You open a Spanish bank account for direct salary deposits (transferencia bancaria), as cash or check payments are rare. The employment contract (contrato de trabajo) specifies whether it is indefinido (permanent) or temporal (temporary), with Spain's 2022 labor reform limiting temporary contracts to genuine temporary needs. Complete Modelo 145 with your employer to declare personal circumstances (dependents, disabilities) affecting tax withholding rates. Spanish salaries are structured as 14 annual payments - 12 monthly salaries plus two pagas extras (extra pays) typically paid in summer and December, though some contracts prorate these into 12 equal payments. Employees contribute 6.35% for Social Security plus progressive IRPF income tax (19% for first €12,450, rising to 47% above €300,000). Employment automatically enrolls you in public healthcare - register at your local Centro de Salud with your Social Security affiliation to receive a Tarjeta Sanitaria (health card). Spain guarantees minimum 22 working days annual vacation (typically 30 calendar days including weekends), maximum 40-hour work weeks, and 14 paid public holidays. The first 2-6 months are typically a probation period (período de prueba) where either party can terminate without cause.