Teach English in Spain

TEFL Jobs In Spain

Living costs Key facts FAQ’s Student Story TEFL Jobs In Spain

Yes, you can teach English in Spain, one of the most popular destinations in Europe for English teachers. Most jobs are at private language academies, in state schools as language assistants, in business English and at summer camps. A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the usual requirement. EU citizens, including Irish passport holders, can simply start work, while UK, US and other non EU teachers usually go through the government language assistant programme or a youth mobility visa.

Teaching English in Spain at a glance

Main employers	Private language academies, state schools through the language assistant programme, business English providers, summer camps, international schools
Typical pay	Academies commonly around €1,000 to €1,400 a month, often for part time hours; private lessons around €15 to €25 an hour
Minimum wage	€1,221 a month in 14 payments for full time work in 2026, under Royal Decree 126/2026, paid pro rata for part time contracts
Hiring season	Late August to October for the academic year, a smaller round in January, and spring for summer camps
Contract length	Usually October to June
Minimum TEFL hours	120 hours
Main cities	Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and Bilbao

Who can legally teach English in Spain?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, including Irish passport holders. You can live and work in Spain on the same terms as Spanish nationals. You need a foreigner identity number, the NIE, and to register with social security to start a contract.

UK, US, Canadian and other non EU citizens. Visitor stays of up to 90 days in any 180 do not allow work. The realistic legal routes are:

Language assistant programme. The Spanish government’s Auxiliares de Conversación programme places native English speakers in state schools for the academic year, with a monthly stipend, on a student style visa.
Youth mobility visas. Spain has youth mobility agreements with several countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, allowing younger applicants to work for a year.
Study plus work. Students on a Spanish student visa may work limited hours alongside their studies.
Work permits. An employer can sponsor a work permit, but language academies rarely do for new teachers.

Our guide to how to teach English in Spain, including the assistant programmes and other routes, explains each one in detail.

How much do English teachers earn in Spain?

Language academies commonly pay around €1,000 to €1,400 a month, often for part time timetables of 20 to 25 teaching hours a week, while international schools pay more for licensed teachers. Private lessons usually bring €15 to €25 an hour, and business English pays more. Full time employment must pay at least the 2026 minimum wage of €1,221 a month in 14 payments, paid pro rata for part time contracts, so check how many hours your contract guarantees. For pay city by city, see our guide to English teacher salaries in Spain and teaching English in Spain’s top 10 cities.

What qualifications do you need?

A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the usual requirement for academies, and a degree is required for the language assistant programme and preferred by better paid employers. Business English and Cambridge exam preparation are valued specialisms. Our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course meets the standard requirement, and the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course can be verified on the Ofqual register. Compare options in the best TEFL certification for Spain, and if you do not have a degree, read teaching English in Spain without a degree. You can also train in Spain itself with our TEFL course in Valencia.

What does it cost to live in Spain?

Spain is affordable by Western European standards, but rent in central Madrid and Barcelona takes a large share of a teaching wage. Valencia, Seville, Málaga and smaller cities are noticeably cheaper. Most teachers share a flat and live comfortably on an academy salary, especially with a few private students. See our full cost of living in Spain for English teachers.

Where should you teach in Spain?

Madrid has the largest market and the most business English. Barcelona is popular but competitive and expensive. Valencia, Seville and Málaga combine steady demand with lower costs and a relaxed lifestyle, and Bilbao and the north offer good pay and less competition. Compare them in our guide to the top 10 cities to teach English in Spain.

What is it like teaching in Spain?

Spanish learners are typically sociable, chatty and keen to speak, which makes conversation classes lively. Academy classes usually run in the late afternoon and evening, fitting around school and work, so mornings are often free. Relationships matter in finding work, and some Spanish makes daily life and paperwork much easier.

Teaching in Spain: read next

Cities, pay and visas: teaching English in Spain’s top 10 cities.
Routes in: how to teach English in Spain.
Budgeting: cost of living in Spain for English teachers.
Choosing a course: the best TEFL certification for Spain.
Comparing Europe? See our guides to teaching English in Italy, France and Germany.
Compare pay in our TEFL Salary Index and check entry rules on the Visa Desk.

Get TEFL qualified for Spain

Last updated: 1 October 2026. The minimum wage figure is from Royal Decree 126/2026. Pay figures are approximate typical ranges, not quotes. Immigration rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Spanish consulate before you apply.

Living costs

So, if you’re looking to teach English in Spain, it’s probably worth noting that you’re not going to get rich. New teachers who don’t have a lot of experience will struggle to grasp high-paying positions, but most people don’t come to work in Spain just for the money.

Spain is a beautiful country with a lot of culture, delicious food, and a very relaxed way of life. Even on a lower or average salary, it’s pretty easy to live well and enjoy everything that Spain can provide. Furthermore, employment is abundant because people need TEFL teachers all the time. Many teachers who work in schools do tutoring as a side hustle to bring in more money. It’s easy to thrive as an English teacher in Spain if you know how to use your skills.

Some of the best places to teach in Spain, like Barcelona and Madrid, will have higher living costs, but your income is usually capable of meeting your needs. If you want to enjoy life, you need to learn to live like a local, so you don’t want to spend all your money on tourist destinations or importing things.

Some teachers who have come to Spain specifically to teach English as a second language often share a house. In most cases, you’ll have to figure all this out because your employer won’t provide housing for you. Finding English teaching jobs abroad in Spain isn’t difficult, the living part is where the challenge starts. Here’s a look at some of the typical costs of living: (Cost of living prices taken from Numbeo is the world’s largest up to date quality of life global database).

Accommodation: USD $843 - $1,1416
Utilities: USD $124
Health insurance: USD $66 (It is important to note that state healthcare is provided via your taxes. The national health system is used by roughly 90% of the population of Spain, although you can see a private physician if you want to.)
Travel Pass (Monthly): USD $43.10
1L of Milk: USD $0.85
Dinner For Two (Basic Costs): USD $33

TEFL Jobs In Spain: KEY POINTS

AVERAGE SALARY

€1,000–1,400 a month at academies

EDUCATION NEEDED

No degree required

TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120 hours+

MAIN JOB TYPES

Public & private schools

KEY FACTS

Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Madrid, Grenada, Zaragoza, Seville, Barcelona, Malaga, Majorca
Average salary for EFL teachers: The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of USD $1,300 – $1,623. Some positions which are less than full-time or in locations with lower salaries might offer contracts from USD $758 – $1,083. Paid by the hour, you’re likely to make USD $16.24 – $21.67, though hourly rates of under £10 aren’t uncommon. For private classes, USD $27 – $54 is realistic for the most sought-after teachers.
TEFL qualification requirements: For shorter contracts (2 weeks – 3 months) working in summer camps a 20- or 30-hour classroom course would be sufficient. If you’re looking at a long-term role then we would recommend a TEFL course of at least 120 hours.
Prerequisite university degree: Not required, although some employers may express a preference for one.
Term times: The Spanish School year begins in September until late December. The second terms start in early January until early April. The final term begins late April, running to mid-June.
Teaching programmes: The Meddeas programme, NALCA Program, Language Schools, Exam Preparation, Private Lessons, Young Learners

If you have previously taught in locations where the children are quiet and reserved, then Spanish children will be a different opportunity for you. They’re often loud and keen to argue. While these students are often quick to pick up on complex concepts, getting them to cooperate with a new teacher is often difficult. It’s recommended that you start your classes with a little more force than you typically use and be quite assertive; otherwise, they may try and walk all over you.

Another big roadblock that you’ll have to deal with is trying to encourage students to speak English.

Many of them will revert to Spanish when it comes to chatting amongst themselves, so work with your coworkers to figure out the best way to get around this.

You should also be wary of unethical employers who will try and pay less and also that the siesta that takes place in the middle of the day can result in unsociable hours.

Facts about Spain

LANGUAGE

Spanish

POPULATION

47 million

TEFL TEACHERS DEMAND

High

CURRENCY

Euro

CAPITAL

Madrid

OUR SPAIN TEFL RATING

4/5 stars

TEFL Jobs In Spain: FAQS

Do I need a degree to teach in Spain?

Not always. Many private language academies in Spain hire teachers with a TEFL certificate and no degree, particularly EU citizens, including Irish passport holders, who can work freely. A degree is required for the government language assistant programme, which is the main legal route for UK, US and most other non EU teachers.

Is Spain a safe place to live?

Spain is a safe place to live on average, but it’s important to be wary of pickpockets.

Where can I teach in Spain?

The programs offered by the Ministry of Education could put you in any of the bigger communities in Spain. However, you do have the freedom to teach wherever you want privately. Knowing how to teach English in Spain is just knowing what works for you.

Is Spain expensive to live in?

The largest cities in Spain can be expensive, but living costs are generally lower than the European standard. For example, it might cost you €600 to rent a room in a shared apartment in the city centre of Madrid. If you want to teach abroad in Spain, it’s not a majorly expensive task.

How much can I earn as a TEFL teacher?

Language academies in Spain commonly pay around €1,000 to €1,400 a month, often for part time timetables, and private lessons usually bring €15 to €25 an hour. Full time employment must pay at least the 2026 minimum wage of €1,221 a month in 14 payments, paid pro rata for part time contracts. Business English and international schools pay more.

Teacher Story

“I chose to live in Spain because I’ve been studying Spanish for years. I wanted to immerse myself into the Spanish culture fully. It was time to learn how the Spanish people live from the locals, rather than just from a classroom. As the saying goes: when in Rome, live how the Romans do. I think I took the saying a bit literally and ended up having a bit too much fun while living there.

I also looked up the cost of living in Spain compared to other areas in Europe and felt it was more suited to me. As a student, I needed to be somewhere where rent and living costs would be within my budget.”