Work Culture in Spain: Key insights for success
Seeking business opportunities in Spain? If yes, then you might need to note a few things. The Spanish business etiquette is unique and embarking on a professional journey in an entirely new country is never easy. So, if you want to succeed as an employee or a business owner in Spain, you must know a few important things about Spanish work traditions.
For starters, Spain is a country that puts a lot of stress on making relationships. People in Spain prefer to get to know you before diving into work-related discussions. Spanish people have an interesting communication style and Spain’s work-life balance is also very refreshing. In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know for adapting to work culture in Spain.
Common employee benefits in Spain:
Before we talk about the cultural and traditional aspects, let’s talk about the thing that employees are most interested in: employee benefits.
Businesses in Spain offer their employees a unique blend of statutory benefits and traditional perks. Overall, Spain’s work culture is extremely rewarding for employees. Here is a brief breakdown of all the employee benefits you get in Spain:
- Statutory Leaves
Employees in Spain are typically offered 22 working days of annual leave. You also can’t cash out your unused leave days. This is because the company wants employees to use this annual leave as a way of relaxing and taking a break. On top of that, employees also get to enjoy almost 14 public holidays. In some regions, you even get an additional 20-30 state and local holidays. Overall, there is plenty of time for employees to kick back their work shoes and enjoy a long vacation.
- Minimum Wage Overtime
The minimum monthly wage offered in Spain is €1,108.30, including additional benefits like meal vouchers, company transportation, as well as medical insurance. There is also a limit on employee overtime of 80 hours per year. If you do overtime in Spain, you will get at least 50% more than the normal rate.
- Pensions in Spain
In Spain, the pensions offer around 81% of an employee’s final gross salary. Spain actually has one of the highest pension rates in the world. Out of the mentioned 81%, employees contribute 4.7% while employers are responsible for covering 23.6%.
- Medical Insurance
If you are working in Spain, it is mandatory for you to be registered with the General Social Security Fund. The social security premium is 28.3% of the employee’s salary. You also get medical insurance as an employee benefit.
- Maternity and Paternity Leave
The maternity leave in Spain is typically complimented by the social security benefits, which means that you won’t only get 16 weeks off but you will also get financial support throughout this period. If there are any complications, you get extra days off. In addition to this, both partners receive two days off immediately after the birth. Paternity leave also includes 13 days off with 100% of income covered by the benefits.
- Siesta in Spain and work culture:
Spanish Siesta is a very popular term, which is still a part of some business in Spain. Siesta basically means a noon break to take a nap. Companies offer their employees time to rest and recharge during the afternoon. This is a very old Spanish tradition that is still alive in Spanish work culture, improving productivity, focus, and overall well-being of employees.
Employees usually get a crucial lunch break lasting from 2 pm to 3 pm known as Spanish Siesta. However, employees don’t often use this break to take naps; rather they use it as an opportunity to catch up with outside friends and family members.
Working hours in Spain:
If you start working in Spain, you will quickly discover that Spanish people believe in the come-late-work-late philosophy. People’s idea of time and flexibility in Spain is not exactly the same as other Western nations in the world. Your work day might not even start until 10:00 am on most days and working late is a common norm that you will witness. This is why there is a drastic difference when you look at work-life balance in Spain vs. UK. Employees get more flexible working hours which makes it easier for them to strike a perfect harmony between their personal and professional lives.
The art of non-verbal communication:
Once you start working in Spain, you will also realize that communication in Spanish companies is very different, especially when it comes to non-verbal communication. To fit into Spain’s work culture, you will need to understand how they communicate verbally and non-verbally.
For instance, a lot of us assume that the common way to greet in Spain might be exchanging kisses on both cheeks. But this is not true. In business settings, a handshake and an eye contact is enough to greet. Keep in mind that Spanish has formal (usted) and informal (tú) forms of address. You might want to observe how the other person is addressing you if you are unsure about which form to use.
Useful tips to tackle Spain’s unique work culture:
Integrating into Spain’s unique and culturally rich workspace is a learning curve, and we are here to help you out. If you are new to Spain’s work customs and traditions, here are some useful tips for you to tackle the new work culture.
Build relationships
Teamwork in Spain’s workplace is very important; they practically thrive on personal relationships. Try to build genuine connections at your workplace if you want to succeed in Spanish business culture. Take some time out to socialize, attend business events, and catch up with co-workers during lunch hours or siesta.
Understand the formalities
While workplaces don’t necessarily have to be formal, respecting business hierarchy in Spain is still very important. You need to understand the decision-making process in your business and effectively communicate with people on top.
Dress professional
Keep in mind that business attire in Spain is smart yet conservative. Whenever you are trying to adapt to a new business culture, observing is very important –be it language, traditions, or dress code. Pay attention to what your co-workers are wearing and try to follow suit.
Try to match the Spanish pace
The work culture in Spain is very different from other countries. You might not be very used to the long breaks or might be wired to work early in the morning. But if you want to adapt to the Spanish business culture, you will have to embrace their pace. For instance, most companies in Spain work on a four-day work mood with longer than usual work days. Just try to make the most out of the time and focus on embracing the new traditions in your work life.
Lunch breaks are sacred
If there is one thing that you should follow by heart when working in Spain, it is the belief that lunch breaks are absolutely sacred. While the two-hour long lunch breaks in Spain are not for siesta anymore, it is definitely the time of la sobremesa –which is the time for relaxed conversations after the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the work culture like in Spain?
The work culture in Spain is a blend of modern and traditional rules. Spanish people love to socialize. They value relationships more than business deals. Companies also allow their employees diverse benefits and plenty of time to relax or spend time with family.
How is the work culture in Spain compared to other European countries?
The business culture in Spain is very different from that of other European countries in a lot of aspects. For instance, the working hours are extremely flexible in Spain. While most European countries operate on a 9-to-5 working schedule, Spanish people like to start their day pretty late –sometimes at 10-11 am. Secondly, Spanish companies allow a lot of benefits and holidays to their employees, which is something that we rarely see in other European workplaces.
What are the key elements of Spanish work culture?
Some of the key elements of Spanish work culture include:
- Minimum wage and overtime limit
- Plenty of holidays and benefits
- 13th and 14th month salary
- Four-day work model
- Building relationships and respecting the hierarchy
How does the siesta affect work culture in Spain?
Siesta is an age-old Spanish tradition that refers to a noon break or a nap. This afternoon break allows employees to relax, enjoy a meal, and socialize which helps them shed off the day’s work stress.
What are the typical working hours in Spain?
The working hours in Spain are very flexible. A typical work day in Spain can start anywhere from 8:30 am and 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. It’s also not uncommon for employees to stay as late as 2:00 am.
How important is work-life balance in Spain?
Since employees get plenty days off, employees in Spain have been observed to have a very great work-life balance. The 22-day annual leave on top of 20-30 local and state holidays as well as personal leaves allow employees to relax and do things they like in their personal lives, leading to a very stable work-life balance.
How do Spanish companies approach teamwork?
Spanish people are very team-oriented. They believe in the power of teamwork and effective communication.
What is the role of hierarchy in Spanish work culture?
Spanish employees respect business hierarchy very much, leaving important decisions to seniors and management alone.
How does communication style in Spain differ in the workplace?
The way we communicate is different in every country. Likewise, workplace communication in Spain is heavily reliant on understanding cultural significance and non-verbal cues. For example, in Spain, interrupting is often seen as a sign of taking interest in the conversation rather than being rude.
What are the unwritten rules of business etiquette in Spain?
Some unwritten rules of business etiquette in Spain include longer lunch breaks, dressing appropriately, and communicating effectively. Socializing is a serious business and it should be treated like that.
How do holidays and vacation time influence work culture in Spain?
More holidays allow employees to be more relaxed and satisfied. Employees get a lot of time to relax and come back to work with a fresher and more energized mind.
What are the common challenges for expats adapting to Spanish work culture?
One of the major challenges that expats encounter is probably the language barrier and the Spaniards’ unique way of communication. It is important to understand their style and embrace their pace if you want to fit in Spain’s work culture.
How does the Spanish approach to meetings differ from other cultures?
In Spanish workplaces, meetings are often treated as social gatherings. There is a lot of negotiating involved when talking to clients, but Spanish people like to get to know each other before diving into work matters.
What is the role of socializing in Spanish work culture?
Socializing is a big part of Spanish work culture. They treat business meetings and even breaks and mini-social gatherings.
How does the concept of “mañana” play into work culture in Spain?
The idea of “mañana,” reflects a more relaxed attitude toward time and scheduling. The word mañana literally means “Tomorrow” or “the day after tomorrow”. It is a stereotype that is often associated with Spanish work cultures referring to their easiness with deadlines.
What are the expectations around punctuality in Spain?
When it comes to punctuality, there are actually zero expectations in Spain. Employees work flexible work hours often coming late to the office and sating late to finish the work.
Article Author – Gino Peters
Gino Peters is the Commercial Director at ThisWorks, with a rich history of nearly a decade in international payroll. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently kept abreast of evolving labor legislation, ensuring that ThisWorks remains at the forefront of industry knowledge. Beyond his vast expertise, Gino is deeply committed to advising and guiding clients and partners with precise insights. His leadership guarantees that all content and operations at ThisWorks meet the highest standards of clarity, accuracy, and compliance.
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