There are no great barriers in the shape of work permits and other red tape to entering Spain, working and living. However, you should note that entitlements to stay, live and work do vary from country to country, with citizens of the European Union (EU) enjoying theoretically unfettered freedom to move for work. If you are considering buying property in Spain it is wise to contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your own country to be sure. The addresses and phone numbers for the major English-speaking countries are listed below and it’s also a good idea to check the website of the relevant embassy, as they frequently have lists of FAQs which may pre-empt any questions you have.

Australia
* www.embaspain.com
* 15 Arkana Street, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, Phone 02/6273 355.
* St Martin’s Tower, 31 Market St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Phone 02/9261-2433.
* Fourth Floor, 540 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Vic 3000, Phone 03/9347 1966.

Canada
* www.embaspain.ca
* 74 Stanley Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1M 1P4, Phone 613/747-2252.
* 1 Westmount Square 1456, Ave Wood, Montreal, PQ H3Z 2P9, Phone 514/935-5235
* Simcoe Place, 200 Front St,2491, Toronto, ONM5V 3K2, Phone 416/977-1661

Ireland

* www.maec.es/subwebs/embajadas/dublin/en
* 17a Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Phone 01/269 1640

UK

* www.maec.es/subwebs/embajadas/londres/en
* 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB, Phone 020 7235 5555.
* Suite 1a, Brook House, 70 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ, Phone 0161 236 1213

US

* www.maec.es/subwebs/embajadas/washington/en
* 545 Boylston Street 803, Boston, MA 02116, Phone 617/536 2506.
* 180 North Michigan Ave 1500, chicago, IL 60601, Phone 312/782-4588.
* 1800 Bering Drive 660, Houston, TX 77057, Phone 713/783-6200.
* 5055 Wilshire Blvd 960, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Phone 213/938-0158.
* 2655 Le Jeune Road 203, Coral Gables, FL 33134, Phone 305/446-5511.
* 2102 World Trade Center, 2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, Phone 504/525-4951.
* 150 East 58th St, New York, NY 10155, Phone 212/355-4080.
* 1405 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109, Phone 415/922-2995.
* 2375 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20037, Phone 202/452-0100

For New Zealand, contact the consulate in Sydney