Job Discussion Forums

[Jetgirly]

It looks like I will be doing a term abroad in Spain in 2008. I'm a dual citizen of Canada and Germany (although I've never been to Germany), and my university is located in Canada.

My university has some kind of program where we "volunteer" to teach for twelve hours per week and in return we are given half airfare and a "stipend" covering "some" living expenses (equaling about EUR 500 per month). According to the co-ordinator of the program, our "visas do not allow salaried employment".

However, because I'm an EU citizen I would like to get a work permit so that I can pick up some extra hours at a language school (I'm qualified). I believe I have to enter Spain using my Canadian passport in order to do the "volunteer" teaching that is part of my term abroad. If I enter Spain on my Canadian passport, what do I have to do to get working papers using my German passport? Does it even matter that I came in as a Canadian?

Also, is there an easy-to-understand post somewhere outlining the process of applying for working papers? I noticed there wasn't a sticky at the top of the Spain forum going over this procedure.

[jonniboy]

I'm not sure of the exact legalities of entering Spain on a Canadian and exiting on an EU one. In theory entering on the Canadian one you'd be given a Schengen visa. But in practice it wouldn't present any problem at all.

Getting working papers with an EU passport is very easy. You won't be issued with a social security number until you have work and your employer should sort all that out for you.

For long term stays you need a NIE the registration number for foreigners.

Just go to the local Departmento de Extranjeros (Foreigners Department) or alternatively the local police station and ask for the NIE application form. Then you just need to return the following to them.

- Completed and signed original application and a photocopy (original returned)
- Passport and photocopy
- Contact address in Spain
- Written justification of why you need the NIE (you can usually say that you need it to open a bank account)