Advice on freelancing in Madrid

[Clemente]

Hello - I\'ve just joined up to the ExpatCafé and think it\'s a great idea. I have a question for anyone out there who can help. I\'m looking to work here in Madrid as a freelance translator and would like some advice as to how to start going about it. I have all the equipment and experience, etc. I just need to know what the legalities are - basically - how and where do I start. Do I need the work visa if I\'m British (European Union and all that?) - and how about a VAT/IVA number?  Any help whatsoever would be very welcome. Thanks.



Liz Slaney

Madrid [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif\"] [addsig]

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[Sibsie]

Hi.  I\'m new here as well.



If you\'re a fellow Brit then you don\'t need a visa.  You can apply for residency which you do at your local police station.  You\'re given a FIE number which is your financial identity card much like our National Insurance number.  Eventually they take your fingerprints and that\'s pretty much it.  You have to apply for the residency within 3 months of arrival but being part of the EU you have the right to live and work there.



Health wise you are good on the E111 for 3 months of medical cover.  After that you either pay Spanish National Insurance contributions or take out private medical insurance.  Sanitas is the main provider and quite cheap.[addsig]

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[Tracy]

Sibsie,



Thanks for your info to Liz...



I definitely think you\'re taking the harder route by freelance teaching. But the Expatriate Cafe is the PERFECT place to collect your resources. Browse EVERY ONE OF OUR LINKS! AND read our TEACH ENGLISH newsletter (both found on the Main Menu bar to the left of your screen).



Post your services in Segundamano, to start, and reply to any that need answering. Truth is, there are MANY private English tutors that post like that, so you need to be clever and recognizable. After you\'re in Madrid for awhile, you need to make solid contacts. Networking and word-of-mouth will be your best market. [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_nod.gif\"] [addsig]

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[Clemente]

Dear fellow Brit,



Thank you for your advice.  You speak about an FIE.  I have an NIE (registration number for foreigners) which I got really easily from the Police Station which, as far as I can see, serves absolutely no purpose.  This was more than 3 months ago as I\'ve been here since November but haven´t been working.  However, I´m married to a Spaniard - does this change anything?  I already have an E111 and private health insurance.  Is the FIE required for tax purposes?



Are you freelancing too?



Liz  [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif\"] [addsig]

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[Clemente]

Hi Tracy,



Thanks for your comments. I\'m actually a translator not a teacher - but I think advertising in Segundamano is an excellent idea and, of course, there\'s nothing better than contacts for getting work.



Liz[addsig]

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[Tracy]

Oh!!!!! You\'re a translator. That makes a WORLD of difference. Do you have a license to translate?? I do believe Spain requires you to have some sort of license. But otherwise, translatting is MUCH more lucrative. Good luck to you [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif\"][addsig]

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