Perrett Laver (Global Schools Practice)
Search firm / recruitment fairs
Advises international schools on Head, Principal and senior leadership appointments
Worldwide12 countries namedLeadershipIB
Teach in Spain
Teacher recruitment agencies for Spain
4 agencies in this directory say they recruit teachers for schools in Spain, including Totally Teach, Worldteachers Recruitment and Worldwide Teaching.
- Agencies listed
- 4
- Site checked
- 4
- Schools listed
- 166
- Free to teachers (stated)
- 1
Agencies that recruit for Spain
Site checked
Worldteachers Recruitment
Recruitment agency · Bridge of Weir, United Kingdom
Recruits teachers for international schools, primarily in the Middle East and also East Asia, Australasia, Europe and North Africa
9 countries namedEarly years (EYFS)PrimarySecondaryLeadershipBritish
Worldwide Teaching
Recruitment agency
Recruits teachers and school leaders for international schools; site states candidates placed in Europe, Middle East, Asia and South America/Caribbean
9 countries namedPrimarySecondaryLeadershipSEN / learning supportBritish
Totally Teach
Recruitment agency · Hangzhou, China
Specialist bespoke recruitment of international teachers; says it was founded in 2018 and works with over 300 global schools
7 countries namedIBBritishAmericanFree for teachers (their site)
Teaching in Spain: what to know
A UK-trained teacher looking at Spain has to deal with two separate gates: the right to live and work there, and the recognition of the teaching qualification itself. Since Brexit, the EU shortcut for teachers no longer applies to British passport holders, so the process is the one used by teachers from any non-EU country.
That makes the choice of employer matter. A school or recruiter that has placed non-EU teachers before will know which paperwork comes first and how long each step tends to take, and that knowledge is worth more than a slightly higher advertised package.
Why a British passport does not cover a teaching job in Spain
GOV.UK explains that British citizens can visit Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but that visit covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and short-term study, not employment. It says the requirements for working in Spain are different and sends readers to separate guidance.
Time spent on a Spanish residence permit or long-stay visa does not count towards the 90 days. Once you live in Spain, GOV.UK says you show proof of residence, such as the TIE foreigner's identity card, at the border rather than relying on passport stamps.
Homologation: getting a UK teaching qualification recognised
Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities runs a specific homologation procedure for teachers of secondary education (ESO and Bachillerato), vocational training and language schools. It states that these posts require two qualifications, a university degree and a teacher-training master's, and that the applicant must be entitled to practise in the country that issued the title.
Applicants must prove Spanish at B2 level unless they come from a country where Spanish is official, with listed exceptions such as having studied at least 75 percent of the qualification in Spanish. The procedure is handled only through the ministry's electronic office, and the page lists payment options but no fee amount.
Why the EU recognition route is closed to UK nationals
The ministry's guide to recognising foreign degrees describes three procedures under Royal Decree 889/2022: homologation, equivalence and validation. Only homologation allows the holder to practise a regulated profession, and the guide says EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can use Directive 2005/36/EC instead. UK nationals are not on that list.
Ask any agency or school whether they expect you to have the homologation finished before arriving, or whether the post is in a private or international school where the requirement may be handled differently. Do not assume; get the answer in writing.
International and IB World Schools in Spain
- Agora Barcelona International School
Spain · IB
- Agora Granada College International School
Spain · IB
- Agora Lledó International School
Spain · IB
- Agora Madrid International School
Spain · IB
- Agora Portals International School
Spain · IB
- Agora Sant Cugat International School
Spain · IB
- Aloha College Marbella
Marbella, Spain · COBIS, IB
- American School of Barcelona
Spain · IB
- American School of Bilbao
Spain · IB
- American School of Madrid
Spain · IB
- American School of Valencia
Spain · IB
- Angel de la Guarda
Spain · IB
Also recruiting worldwide
These agencies say they recruit worldwide without naming Spain specifically: FlyTeachers, Teacher Recruit, Anthony Millard Consulting, ANZUK Education, Atlas Teachers, Edvectus, International Schools Services (ISS), RSAcademics, Schrole, Search Associates, Teach Away, Teacher Horizons, Teaching Abroad Direct, Tes (international jobs), TIC Recruitment, TIE Online (The International Educator), TrueTeaching, WISHlistjobs, Spencer Group, Jackson Hayes Recruitment, RG175.
Questions teachers ask
Can a British teacher work in Spain on the 90-day visa-free allowance?
No. GOV.UK says the allowance covers visits such as tourism and short-term study, and that working in Spain has different requirements. You need the correct permit or visa before starting paid work.
Do I need Spanish to get my teaching qualification recognised?
For homologation as a secondary, vocational or language-school teacher, the Ministry of Science says Spanish at B2 level must be proved, unless an exemption applies such as studying most of the qualification in Spanish.
Does the EU professional qualifications directive help me?
Not as a UK national. The ministry says Directive 2005/36/EC is open to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, so UK-qualified teachers go through the national homologation procedure.
Does time on a Spanish residence permit count towards the 90 days?
No. GOV.UK says a residence permit or long-stay visa does not count towards the 90-day limit that applies to visitors.