How to find a flat to rent and a job in Xabia!?

If he speaks Spanish he will have an advantage over most of the expat British people who arrive here expecting to find work. There is a very high unemployment rate and, unfortunately. Most of the skills which you say he has to offer are already over subscribed. In all honesty, unless he has qualifications in a sought after field, he is very unlikely to find anything beyond low paying temporary work in bars; and as it is now coming to the end of the season, most staff will be laid off.

To obtain a contract of employment here is difficult, the costs to employers are very high, and he would probably stand a better chance with professional qualifications. If he wished to become legally self-employed - ‘autonomo’ - he will immediately have to start paying dues to the social security system, although there is a reduction for the first few months. These subscriptions have to be paid regardless of income. 

Should he obtain work with a contract, his employer would pay these contributions, which entitle him to use the Spanish Healthcare facilities; as do his ‘autonomo’ contributions. Other than this, he would need private health insurance.

Without wishing to be too negative, it is very difficult to come here and make a living as an expat. There are of course, many perfectly legal expat companies here, but most of them have been here for quite a long time and are fully integrated into the systems. Most of the expats here are retired and don’t have the need to work. If he has an idea for a small business, great, would thoroughly encourage him, but it is not going to be easy and he will need sufficient money to support himself and his family for at least a year. 

This area is overwhelmed with ‘tradesmen’ (many of them no such thing) catering mainly to the expat population; many of them are working cash in hand under the radar, but that situation is in reality on the way out as, especially with Brexit, the Spanish government is clamping down in all kinds of ways. 

Javea is also unlikely to offer much in the way of inexpensive accommodation; it has a very high expat population of all nationalities and isn’t a ‘cheap’ area.

Thank you for your reply and for your honesty. 

He’s not expecting it to be easy but he is determined to give it his best shot.

He’s working towards qualifications so will just be looking to work hard in casual jobs in the interim. 

I would be very grateful if you could recommend a reliable rental agent? 

I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with any letting agents - we live in a small village about 12km away

The best thing to do in the first instance is to research the Spanish property website Kyero, which is the equivalent of Rightmove. The search can be filtered to letting and area and size and so on.  Certainly as far as Sales are concerned there is no agent exclusivity, so the same property may be listed with multiple agents - whether this is true also of letting I don’t know.

Be aware also of the basic legal requirements for living here - you can’t just decide to move here. Currently after 90 days he will be regarded as resident and after 180 days, fiscally resident - ie liable for tax etc. To obtain official ‘residency’, he must demonstrate a minimum income level, which given all the Brexit difficulties, is likely to mean a minimum income of 2500 eu per month. Also, comprehensive medical insurance for the entire family will be required, paid in advance for a year.

Thank you for all the advice Stephanie. Very much appreciate you taking time out to help. X

Not at all, please don’t hesitate to pm if I may help further

Stephanie 

A few editions ago I read of an owner in Javea who shares his/her time in USA and was seeking a person to move in to the property and maintain the property in their absence and share together on their return.

Sorry that is a vague description due to memory not too clear.

I would love to know if this opportunity or similar,is still in the pipeline.so we can make contact.

Thankyou

jillMc