Regional languages at work
You know when the regional language is a hiring edge, a formal requirement or irrelevant for your kind of work.
Spain has several regions where a second language is official next to Spanish. This topic shows how that language affects your working life there: private jobs, public posts, regulated professions, running a business and everyday practice at the office or shop.
Pick the article that fits your situation
Private-sector work in Catalonia and Valencia and the regional language
For people looking for private-sector jobs in Catalonia or Valencia. It shows when English and Spanish are enough, when Catalan or Valencian gives you a real edge, and why the language is rarely a legal requirement in private work.
Private-sector work in the Basque Country and Galicia
Helps you decide how much Basque or Galician is worth for a private-sector job. It compares how hard each language is, how much they matter by sector, city and countryside, and what employers can ask of you.
Catalan in the Balearic Islands for work and daily life
Catalan helps in the Balearic Islands, but tourist jobs often run in Spanish, English and German. Public and health posts set their own Catalan levels, and island variants count as the same language. For anyone planning work or daily life on Mallorca, Menorca or Ibiza.
How regional language requirements work in public jobs
Explains the three ways regional and local public jobs in Spain use a co-official language: a required level, an eliminatory test, or merit points. It also covers which nationalities can apply. Written for anyone considering a public post outside Spain's Castilian-only areas.
Catalan for public-sector jobs in Catalonia
Explains how Catalan requirements work for public-sector jobs in Catalonia: the level usually tied to each job group, and the difference between a certificate that is required and one that only earns points. For anyone applying to a Catalan public post.
Valencian for public-sector jobs in Valencia and Alicante
Explains how Valencian is used in public-sector hiring in the Valencian Community: the certificate levels, which level is usually asked for, and why you must check the current call. For anyone planning to apply for a public post in Valencia or Alicante.
Basque and Galician language requirements in public hiring
Explains how language requirements work in public hiring in the Basque Country (linguistic profiles and preceptividad dates) and in Galicia (CELGA levels). It is for anyone applying for a public job in either region.
Navarre's Basque status for work and public administration
Basque is official in only part of Navarre, so Basque Country rules do not apply there. This page explains the three language zones and what they mean for public jobs and administration. It is for anyone working or dealing with offices in Navarre.
Regional language levels for teachers, health staff and lawyers
Once your qualification is recognised, teachers and health staff may still need a regional-language level in regions with a co-official language. Lawyers face almost none. This page is for teachers, health workers and lawyers planning to work in those regions.
Signs, menus and customers: language duties for small businesses
Explains the language duties a small business has in Spain's co-official regions: signs, labels and customer service. It also says what you personally need as an owner. For anyone opening a shop, bar or service business.
Meetings and emails: what language colleagues really use
What to expect from language use between colleagues in a workplace in a region with its own language, such as Catalonia, the Basque Country or Galicia. It helps you prepare for switching in meetings, chats and emails.
About this topic
It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know whether the regional language is a hiring edge, a formal requirement or irrelevant for your kind of work. The answer depends on the region and on the job. Public posts follow certificate-based rules that differ from region to region.
Start with "Private-sector work in Catalonia and Valencia and the regional language". It gives the clearest first picture of when the language really helps you get hired. From there, move to the pages for your region or your kind of work, such as public jobs, teaching and health roles, or signs and menus for a small business.
This topic does not cover recognition of your qualifications, company registration, wider Spanish work culture or how to get a language certificate.
Key rules
- Private jobs: No law requires regional-language knowledge for general private-sector jobs, though an employer may ask for it when the role justifies it, such as customer-facing work.
- Self-employed: A self-employed person or business owner does not need a personal regional-language level to open or run a business, but the business has duties on signs and customer service.
- Proof deadline: Each public call sets its own level, accepted certificates and proof deadline, and requirements and merits normally must be met on the last day of the application period.
- International and tech roles: English and Spanish are often enough, especially at international firms.
- No legal requirement: No law requires Basque or Galician for general private-sector jobs, but an employer may ask for it when the role justifies it.
- Basque: Basque is much harder than Galician and its value depends on the local employer and sector.
Documents you may need
- An official Catalan certificate at level A2 — Catalan in the Balearic Islands for work and daily life
- JQCV certificate of Valencian at the level the call asks — Valencian for public-sector jobs in Valencia and Alicante
- An Escuela Oficial de Idiomas certificate in Basque — Basque and Galician language requirements in public hiring
- A degree taught in Basque — Basque and Galician language requirements in public hiring
- A Galician training course certificate or a Galician philology qualification — Basque and Galician language requirements in public hiring
Regional languages at work: questions that cross several articles
Do I need Catalan to work for an international or tech company in Barcelona?
No, international and tech employers in Barcelona generally work in English and Spanish, and Catalan is rarely required for most roles. It is more likely to be asked for in public-facing roles or public-sector posts. Read "Private-sector work in Catalonia and Valencia and the regional language" for how to judge an advert, and "How regional language requirements work in public jobs" for public posts.
Can I work in hospitality in Mallorca with only Spanish or English?
Yes, you can usually work in Mallorca hospitality with only Spanish or English, especially in tourist resorts where German and English are also valued. Catalan is a plus and is understood by many local staff, but it is rarely required in tourist-facing jobs. Read "Catalan in the Balearic Islands for work and daily life" next.
Are Catalan certificates from Catalonia accepted in the Balearic Islands?
Yes, Balearic and Catalan certificates are the same Catalan system, and they are treated as equivalent under the Govern's tables. Local Mallorcan, Menorcan and Ibizan forms count as the same language in exams. Read "Catalan in the Balearic Islands for work and daily life" and "Catalan for public-sector jobs in Catalonia" for the levels and what each call accepts.
Is Catalan an entry requirement for health jobs in the Balearic Islands?
Not always, because IB-Salut sets the level by professional category, and for some categories Catalan is now a merit rather than an entry bar. Rules differ by call, so read the call itself. Read "Regional language levels for teachers, health staff and lawyers" next.
How do I know if a language test in a public call will eliminate me or only earn points?
The call states it: a test is eliminatory when a level is an access requirement, and it only scores points when the language is a merit. Catalonia and Basque posts with a mandatory profile are often eliminatory, while many Valencian, Galician and Navarrese processes treat it as a merit. Read "How regional language requirements work in public jobs" and then the article for your region.
Explore places
Where you live changes the details. See how Spanish regions and cities compare on rent, jobs, weather, safety and healthcare.
What to read next
More in Regional and co-official languages
Where regional languages apply
You can name the language that is official where you will live, judge how visible it is in your town and avoid the common naming mix-ups.
How much regional language to learn
You can decide, for your place and situation, between ignoring the regional language, understanding it, using courtesy words or aiming for working level.
Language rights with officials and shops
You know that Spanish remains valid, what to expect in offices, shops and clinics and how to ask politely for Spanish or translation.
Also in Language and integration
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Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.