Spain is the fourth most visited country in the world after France, America and China with almost 60 million foreign tourists in 2010 (source World Tourism Organization).
All of these tourists naturally need accommodation and so there is a massive opportunity to find jobs in hotels in Spain servicing and looking after the needs of these travellers.
Advice on this page would also apply if you are looking for hostel jobs in Spain or accommodation jobs in Spain.
We have latest live job listings at the bottom of this page and if you are an employer we welcome your hotel job postings – it is free to list your vacancies.
Do you want to work in a hotel in Spain?
You can also use the comments box at the bottom of this page to list your details, hotel jobs wanted and your contact details.
Below we have a general guide towards hotel jobs which are classified under the hospitality industry.
Where Can I Find Spanish Hotel Jobs?
The Costa del Sol in the south of Spain is the most obvious place to find hotel work. The wonderful climate, weather, beaches and golf courses attract visitors from all over Europe.
This is home to many mass tourist resorts such as Marbella, Malaga, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Benalmadena. There are many luxury complexes with five star hotels and golf courses.
The Costa Blanca coast is another very popular tourist region with many possibilities to find hotel work in towns such as Alicante, Torrevieja and Benidorm.
You might have thought the Spanish cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia would have been good places to look at hotel jobs but actually this isn’t the case. This is because the major cities tend to empty in the summer months as the residents flock to the Spanish coasts and islands for their summer holidays.
Much better locations for work would be the popular Spanish islands of the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands. Working in a hotel in these locations will probably involve working six days a week but at least on your day off you get to enjoy the island and beaches and become a tourist for the day.
The best Spanish islands for hotel jobs are Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
Hotel & Hospitality Work in Spain
The good news for nationals of European Union countries is that no visa will be required to work in Spain.
As long as you are employed on an official working contract you will be entitled to free medical care under the Spanish health system.
Advantages of working in a hotel in Spain are that in most cases you receive live-in accommodation which will save you approximately at least €500 a month which you would have to pay elsewhere renting or sharing an apartment.
The most common hotel positions would be serving drinks behind the bar or waiting on tables as a waiter or waitress in the restaurants. These are the sort of hotel jobs for English speakers that you could expect to find. Even in these jobs some basic Spanish will definitely be required.
Only a very limited amount of reception and hotel front desk work is available. These positions tend to be full-time and you would need to be fluent in Spanish, English and German would be a definite advantage too.
Cleaning staff such as chambermaids are definitely required in the hotels although as you can imagine the wages are very much minimum wage of about four or five Euros an hour.
You may also be able to get a job as a holiday rep in Spain working in one of the major hotels looking after the English-speaking guests for the major tour operators who offer package holidays to the resorts. These jobs are not available in the resorts but must be obtained directly from the tour operators in advance.
Hotel Marques de Riscal
Major Spanish Hotel Chains
Types of Hotel Positions
- Bellhop
- Concierge
- Checking guests in and out
- Reservations staff
- Scheduling shifts
- Front desk clerk
- Receptionist
- General manager
- Night watchman
- Hotel management
- Housekeeper
- Valet parking
- Hotel maintenance
- Bar Jobs
- Waiter/Waitress
- Kids Clubs
- Entertainers
- Animators
- Singers
- Dancers
- Holiday Reps
- Chambermaid
- Cleaners
- Security guard
Summary
- Duration: Most hotel work is seasonal and of course most positions only available for three months in the summer months of June, July and August.
- Apply: At least 3 months before your arrival Spain.
- Wages/Pay/Salary: Depends on position, from four euros an hour for cleaners to managerial positions.
- Visa: No visa is required for EU nationals.
- Qualifications: Hospitality degrees and diplomas a definite advantage. Employers will expect some previous experience in the hotel industry.
Hotel Employers – List your hospitality and hotel job vacancies in Spain below – for free.
If you want a job working in a hotel in Spain, you can also fill in the comments box with your details, qualifications and the types of vacancies and job positions wanted.
Alternative Places for Spanish Jobs:
- Barcelona (Costa Brava)
- Benidorm (Costa Blanca)
- Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)
- Lanzarote (Canary Islands)
- Mallorca (Balearic Islands)
- Magaluf (Mallorca)
- Marbella (Costa del Sol)
- Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Most Searched For Jobs:
- Bar/PR
- Chef/Catering Jobs
- Building/Tradesmen Jobs
- Travel Represenatatives
- Summer & Seasonal Jobs
- Teach English
Helpful Pages if Moving to Spain:
Interviews With People Who Have Moved to Spain
I Hate Spain – Problems & Disadvantages
For a full index of pages see our finding work and jobs main section.
Hello,
I’ve got experience. I’ve just completed a seasonal project as an All rounder in The Sheapkens Hotel in Valkenburg, the Netherlands.
I’m also an experienced Room Attendant trained on Costa del Sol where I lived for three years, and where I would love to come back to.
I’m positive and pro-active. I can work well within a team as well as on my own. I’m a quick learner trained in a fast paced environment. I have an eye for detail and an efficient way of working. Cleanliness is of high importance to me.
Currently, I’m in Deutschland but I can relocate ASAP, with accommodation provided.
Do not hesitate to contact me via email.
Looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
Ariadna