Working and Living Spain Book

Introduction     5
Getting to Know Spain     7
Climate and Geography     8
Historical Overview     11
Spanish Languages     21
Profiles of the Regions     29
Urban Spain, Rural Spain and the Costas     30
Regional Breakdown     32
The Central Heartlands     33
Green Spain     36
Mediterranean Spain     40
The Balearics     43
The South     44
Three Enclaves: Gibraltar, Ceuta and Melilla     46
The Canaries     47
Spain Today     61
Major Political Parties, Alliances and Elections     62
Religion     66
The Family and Role of Women     67
Major Media     68
Economic Background and the EU     70
Internal Issues in Spain     73
Immigration     73
Racism     74
Autonomous Regions     74
The Civil War Past     75
Gibraltar     76
Culture and Art     76
Food and Wine     85
First Steps     91
Why Live and Work in Spain     92
Getting toSpain     96
By Air     97
By Road     105
By Sea     108
By Rail     110
Red Tape     111
Visas, Permits and Other Paperwork     112
Residence Cards for EU Citizens     112
Residence Cards for Non-EU Citizens     117
Acquiring Spanish Nationality     118
Useful Addresses     121
Living in Spain     125
Learning Spanish     126
Finding a Home     131
Renting a House or Flat     131
Buying a House or Flat     138
Home Insurance     165
Home Utilities     167
Telephones and Communications     172
Mobile Phones     174
The Internet     175
Postal Services     177
Television     178
Money and Banking     178
Taxation     180
Shopping     190
Life in Cafes, Bars and Restaurants     195
Transport     198
Public Transport     198
Private Transport     201
Crime and the Police     204
Taking your Pet     205
Health and Emergencies     206
Social Services and Welfare Benefits     209
Retirement, Pensions and Investments     210
Living with Children     215
Education     215
Studying in Spain     220
Sports and Recreation     224
Working in Spain     227
Business Etiquette     228
The Labour Market     230
Job Ideas     231
Looking for Work     233
Job Interviews     235
Your Curriculum Vitae     237
Being Employed     238
Employment Contracts     238
Terms of Employment     239
Pensions     242
Losing Your Job and Signing On     242
General Information     243
Teaching     243
Freelancing or Part-Time Work     245
Social Security     245
Taxes     245
Starting Your Own Business     248
Where to Find Advice     252
Volunteering     252
References     255
Spain at a Glance     256
Further Reading     257
Major Films     2587
Dictionary of Useful and Words and Phrases     260
Internet Vocabulary     266
Public Holidays     267
Regional Climate Chart     269
Calling Codes     270
Post Codes     271
Index     274