Bricklayer

To go self employed in Spain (Autonomo) you have to pay towards Social Security and this is an excerpt I found online,

"In 2018, changes were made to encourage more people to register as autónomos. The monthly contributions for new freelancers was cut to just €50. It then rises to €137 for months 13–18 (50% reduction), €192 for months 18–24 (30% reduction) and after 24 months it reverts to the standard rate. For women under 35 and men under 30, the reductions continue for three years.

Most autónomos pay a flat rate of around €275 a month, no matter how much or how little you earn. You have to make the payments even if you don’t earn anything one month, so make arrangements to cover payments if necessary."

This is obviously on top of income tax.

All building trades are already probably over-represented here in Spain and rates are lower than the UK.

If you are from the UK Brexit is likely to be a major issue as it could well mean having to qualify for Residencia under financial rules for non-EU immigrants which are a lot higher than levels for EU migrants.

If you search this site for "Announcements" under "Everywhere" there is a lot of information about moving to Spain and all it involves.

Hi Thanks for the very impoinformation 

Luckily I’m an Irish passport holder so apart from the mess in Ireland which is huge, when it comes to living in an EU country Brexit isn’t as big a deal for me especially any fear of ‘deportation’ as you put it  

Of course I would never consider working without paying my dues I never have in 30 years of being self employed  

My intention is not to earn a living here in Spain but to just keep myself busy. 

My Grand parents moved to La Manga in 1968 and lived their until they both passed so nearly 50 years and the two lessons that where hammered home to me where do not sell your property at home to fund a move to Spain and do not rely on working in Spain to fund staying there. 

It looks as though I’ll have to keep myself busy some other way. 

I have looked into the Brexit problem at the time when I voted to remain and recently when I considered buying a property and I believe the financial relations between Britain and Spain which is huge and I’m not just talking about tourism and the expat input there are other financial transactions between the two countries which run into tens of billions and that will be protected in anyway possible. 

Talk of big changes, things being very different with things like residency and deportation for over staying are in my view wildly exaggerated the change will be minimal and talk of it being any other way are just plain irresponsible. 

I’d also say that will not be leaving on the 31st and with each day chances of remainers forming a coalition and winning an election grow by the day. 

Nat,

I have a couple of jobs, I live in Cocentaina, looking for a wall extension around 1 metre high by 10 metres and a garage built do you plaster? and would you be interested?

John

I'd just point out that, even if you became legal, you'd only get work from the expat community. There are so many out of work skilled Spanish people that you wouldn't find any work for the Spanish.

Hi Nat

We might be looking for a bricklayer to do some work in our flat in Oliva around 16-19 Dec. Would you be in Spain around then and available? PM me if you would be interested.

Thanks

Hi Natara

Others have answered your questions regarding work but I thought I would come back on your point about keeping busy. We are in a similar situation, my husband is only 53 and still working on a self employed basis, in the UK.  We therefore go back and foward a lot (although we would prefer to be here full time).  There is so much to do here, especially if you like being active and outside. There are lots of walking groups, and organisations such as the Gandia Social Club, and U3A which has endless clubs covering lots of different interests. Plus of course masses of local fiestas and events. The Spanish believe in enjoying life and most are also very welcoming, especially once you start learning Spanish and integrating.  (Another way of making new friends here is to get involved with one of the animal charities such a PEPA.) 

We are not that far from you, about 20 minutes inland, so if you both fancy meeting for a coffee or beer sometime send me a pm. (At the moment we are renovating a house so crazy busy but that should calm down soon). 

All the best.