The Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Spain

Spain is one of the most popular countries to teach English abroad, and for good reason. After all, who doesn’t want great weather, after-work tapas, and European city breaks to be a part of their routine? With the increased demand for native English-speaking teachers, Spain stands out even more for aspiring teachers.

Both big cities and small towns offer placements in Spanish public schools, private schools, and language centers. In return, teachers get paid, access free healthcare, and benefit from opportunities to learn Spanish. Not to mention Spain’s rich culture, fun festivals, and delicious food! It may sound dreamy and it is pretty amazing, but like any other country, there are pros and cons of teaching English in Spain.

For most people, the pros are way stronger, which is why Spain constantly makes its way into lists of the best TEFL destinations or the best places to live abroad. We compiled the top reasons for both so you can decide for yourself!

Pros of teaching English in Spain

Views like these are *definitely* a major pro of teaching English in Spain!

Let’s get to the good stuff—what are the benefits of teaching English in Spain? We explored some of our favorite pros below.

1. Spain is a great country to live in.

Combine good weather, friendly people, numerous festivals, and a laid-back lifestyle. Add a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture, some paella and sangria, and picturesque landscapes, and you have a gist of Spain.

According to a 2023 study by InterNations, four in five expats feel at home in Spain, making the country one of the best destinations for expats. Indeed, Spain has something for everyone. Home to 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites and one of Europe’s best nightlife scenes, the country is alive day and night.

As an expat, you’ll experience the real Spain and see why the European country is so popular among travelers, teachers, and students.

2. You’ll get a tax-free salary and free health insurance.

On average, the salary for English teachers in Spain varies between €700 and €1,500 per month. It depends on experience, qualifications, region, and the type of school. If you have a degree, TEFL certificate, and teaching experience, you’ll likely be on the higher end. This salary is tax-free, and includes free healthcare.

Most teaching contracts in Spain require you to work between 12 to 20 hours per week. So if you want to make some extra money, you’ll have time to do private tutoring or online teaching. Alternatively, you can travel within Spain or to other European countries—we’ll get to that later!

3. There are a lot of school and city options.

Will you head to Barcelona? Madrid? Malaga?

In many teaching programs, such as the RVF International program, you’ll make region placement preferences. The local authorities will take these into consideration while placing you in a local school.

Your options are wide open as there are many great places to teach in Spain. If you end up in Madrid, you’ll get to live in a big city with a huge expat community, cultural institutions like the iconic Prado Museum, and the lively Puerta del Sol.

In Andalusia, you’ll be at the birthplace of Flamenco and Sherry wine. On the Balearic Islands, you’ll experience island life and have the luxury to hit the beach once your classes are over! As for the institution, you’ll also make a preference list of preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

4. You can practice your Spanish all the time.

Spoken as a first language in Spain and Latin America, Spanish is one of the most popular languages to learn. Invest in yourself when in Spain and start learning Spanish. You’ll get to practice it with your colleagues at school, use it in your daily life, and break the ice by introducing yourself in Spanish to your students!

5. You’ll have time to travel within Spain and in Europe.

With contracts that require only 20 hours of your time weekly, you can use your free time to travel! From Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia to Ibiza’s pristine beaches, Spain has a lot of places to travel to.

Teaching abroad in Spain also means the rest of Europe will be on your doorstep. You can find cheap bus or flight tickets depending on the place and the season. With the budget airlines in Europe, finding $30 return tickets on the continent is not unheard of.

The next thing you know, you could be sipping an Aperol spritz in Milan, wandering in Prague’s old town, or learning about how the Berlin Wall fell.

6. It’s difficult to get bored in Spain.

You’ll never run out of unique cultural experiences to enjoy!

La Mercé Festival in Barcelona, La Tomatina in Valencia, and the San Isidro in Madrid. There’s always something going on in Spain. Check out the festivals, local fairs, and events once you’re in Spain, and you won’t regret it! Besides festivals, you’ll discover the Spanish way of socializing which involves going out a lot, be it to meet up with friends for tapas or to party until the early hours of the morning.

7. You’ll gain international work experience.

One of the best benefits of teaching English in Spain is that you’ll gain international work experience. When employers see this, they will understand that you were able to navigate life in a different country, adapt to a new culture, and get out of your comfort zone. You’ll also start building an international network which might land you other jobs in Spain or elsewhere—you never know!

Get matched with 5 English teaching programs in Spain—for free!

Cons of teaching English in Spain

The downsides are few and far between, but should still be considered.

With the good always comes the not so good…but lucky for you there aren’t a ton of downsides to teaching English in Spain! To keep things fair, here are some of the things we recommend watching out for.

1. Bureaucratic processes can be complicated.

Getting a visa, finding an apartment, or opening a local bank account can take a long time and involve a lot of paperwork. This is frustrating especially if you don’t speak the language. To mitigate this issue, definitely consider applying to a program that includes visa support and help with the residency process (like RVF International!).

2. You need to be a native English speaker and hold a degree for the vast majority of jobs.

While there are some countries where you can teach without a degree, Spain is not one of them. The country also requires applicants to be native English speakers, with some programs having specific nationality requirements. If you fit the requirements and have some experience, this can mean a higher salary and better job prospects.

3. The cost of living in Spain has increased over the past years.

Be sure to create and stick to a budget if you want to save money!

Like many other countries, Spain has experienced a rise in the cost of living. If you want to save a lot of money while teaching English abroad, Spain might not be the right place. That said, statistics show that 87% of expats are happy with their life in Spain, reporting that housing remained affordable amidst the price increases. That’s good news since rent is one of the biggest expenses while living abroad!

4. Spain offers fewer benefits compared to other countries.

English teaching programs in Spain don’t typically offer free housing, return flights from home, or end-of-contract bonuses, which are common in some countries. But don’t forget that in Spain, you’ll get something money can’t always buy: quality of life. With its good healthcare system, safe cities, and easy access to culture, Spain offers a comfortable, safe, and fun lifestyle.

NEXT: What to Expect from a Teaching Salary in Spain

Your English teaching career is waiting!

If you’d like to live in a warm, welcoming country in Europe, the benefits of teaching English in Spain far outweigh its cons. Improve your Spanish, level up your teaching career, and witness first-hand why this country is so popular among expats!

Explore ALL English Teaching Programs in Spain on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from RVF International. Founded in 2017, RVF International’s teaching program offers comprehensive assistance for those seeking to teach English in Spain.