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EnglishThe Spanish way of life
- Starting point: on 29 May, the Dutch magazine Elsevier Weekblad called the Spanish and Italians “parasites” and “lazy” on its cover, which drew sharp reactions from the Spanish press.
- Another view: for Borja Mateo, author of “Living and working outside Spain” (Oberon), Spaniards work hard, fit in easily, have a solid academic background and keep the end goal in sight.
- Daily rhythm: the midday break lasts an hour and a half to two hours on average, from 2 pm to 4 pm, compared with about 30 minutes from noon in France, Germany or Sweden. Around 11 am, there is also a coffee and a snack on a terrace.
- Working time: according to the OECD, Spain worked 1,665 hours a year in 2013, close to the United Kingdom (1,669) and Portugal (1,712), and more than France (1,489).
- Key point: Spanish working hours start and end later and breaks are longer, but the total hours worked each year are similar to those of its neighbours. Some companies concentrate hours early in the week so staff can finish earlier on Friday.
On 29 May, the Dutch magazine Elsevier Weekblad ran a cover with an unflattering image of the Spanish and their Italian neighbours. By calling them “parasites” and “lazy”, the magazine drew the anger of the Spanish press. But do the Spanish really fit this cliché?
Spaniards work very hard, more than the British, the Germans and the French
According to Borja Mateo, author of the book “Living and working outside Spain” (Oberon): “Spaniards are very hard-working, more than the British, the Germans and the French, even though they all are. We are very easy to integrate because sociability is highly valued in Spain. We have an excellent academic background, we are flexible and we never lose sight of the end goal. In Germany, a lot gets lost in the process and they confuse the means with the ends; the French have little determination and the English lack cultural education.”
Longer breaks in Spain
While lunch breaks last no more than 30 minutes from noon in France, Germany or Sweden, the midday meal break in Spain lasts an hour and a half or even two hours on average, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Some people think this tradition is too long and often blame it for long working days. Around 11 am, Spaniards also have a coffee and a snack on a terrace, a habit that surprises visitors.
A better quality of life, without working fewer hours
Some companies in Spain organise working hours differently (working more at the start of the week to finish earlier on Friday) to allow long weekends. According to the OECD, in 2013 Spain worked 1,665 hours a year on average, similar to the United Kingdom (1,669) and Portugal (1,712), and more than France (1,489).
Sources: Le Petit Journal, Abc.es
Thomas Rouer is the founder of Alveo Search and the CEO of the Alveo group. Based in Spain for almost ten years, he develops property services designed for the specific needs of foreign buyers.
His expertise covers every aspect of buying property in Spain: understanding the market, searching for and selecting properties, negotiation, financing, paperwork, tax and securing the purchase process.
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