brenda

Hi there I'm thinking of moving to Spain, been a waitress in Essex for years so I have excellent experience. Unfortunately my Spanish isn't top so maybe not that good. How much can I earn with these qualifications?

Eagle

I don’t know what you mean with “my Spanish isn't top”. There are countless British bars and restaurants everywhere on the Costa Blanca with 90% British or English speaking clientele (expats or tourists). In general languages are an essential qualification. Best is to speak at least 3 languages (Spanish, English, and German). Most probably you will not earn 2000€, not even 1500€. The minimum is approximately 800€ plus tips; the maximum could be 1200€ + tips (if you speak 3-4 languages). It depends also if you work day or nighttime. During high season you can get much more tips. Prime locations and excellent quality restaurants (4*, 5*) are better paid.

greg

Hi Brenda and welcome to the forums, yes Spain is unfortunately not the best paid place on earth... You will find like Eagle writes, wages ranging from 800€ to maximum 1500€. And tips will vary greatly depending on areas you will work... Have you thought of a specific city or area where you will move to?

jayce

Hello, loads of English bars and restaurants on the Costa del Sol, however they do lay staff off in the winter. You can expect about 7 or 8 euros an hour, plus tips.

hippyshake

It depends where you plan to move to in Spain. How much you can earn will vary if you work in a resort type place or a normal town. I know waiters who are only being paid 5 euros an hour and you will be in competition with east europeans who will work for less! Also if you work somewhere with mainly Spanish clientele, don´t expect much in the way of tips as the Spanish generally only leave the spare change.

As regards other jobs, wages are shockingly low. I was offered an admin job in a Spanish firm working 9.00 -2.00, 6 days a week and the salary was 280 € per month!!! Admin jobs don´t usually pay much more than 5 € an hour.

keith-sitges

Brenda I am afraid your replies are all quite gloomy and to add to the gloom. My partner whoo was looking for work in Sitges or Barcelona enquired about waiters jobs locally and apparently in this area a job as a waiter/waitress is highly thought of and sought after here.It requires at least fluent Spanish and reasonable in other languages. Also as has previously been stated it is mostly seasonal in the better paid areas of Spain i.e. the more expensive tourist resorts. My partner started work in Barcelona this week after a couple of months of looking. The economic downturn has made it more difficult everywhere. May I however wish you good luck.

JazminesII

My friend tells me there is plenty of work in Rioja but fluent spanish is a must.

ValL

Can't tell you anything about waitress wages but the spanish tradition of rounding up the bill to nearest euro is prevalent round here. Tips are basically non existant. I would agree with other posters re fluent spanish and possibly other languages too and it depending where geographically you are thinking of.

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OMG I never thought of that ! !