Work culture in Spanish tech and startups

Key rules

• Language: English can be enough in hub-based international teams, but sales, support, HR, legal and management roles usually need Spanish.
• Outside the hubs: Outside Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, expect Spanish to be needed every day.
• Remote work law: It protects employees, not freelancers, once remote work passes 30% of hours.
• Company type: Startups are usually flatter; traditional firms and consultancies are more hierarchical.

The short version

Spanish tech is mostly flatter, hybrid and often English-friendly in the big hubs. Spanish still matters for many roles. How much depends on the city and on the type of company.

Language: English or Spanish?

In Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, international startups, scale-ups and the tech teams of multinationals often work in English. This is most common in engineering and product roles.

Spanish is still needed in:

• traditional Spanish companies and consultancies
• banks and firms that serve the public sector
• sales, support, HR, legal and management roles

Outside the main hubs, expect Spanish to be required day to day. Even in an English-speaking team, lunch chat, social life and dealings with the wider company are usually in Spanish, so learning it helps your career.

Before you accept an offer, ask which language the team uses in meetings and in writing. The checklist below has more questions to ask.

Team structure and style

Startups and international tech firms tend to have flat teams. People use first names, talk openly and can reach decision-makers easily.

Traditional Spanish firms and consultancies are more hierarchical. Decisions sit with senior people, and there is a formal layer of management between you and them. Practice varies widely from one company to another, so ask how decisions get made and how many layers sit above you.

Office days and remote work

Hybrid is the most common setup. Typical patterns are 2 to 3 office days a week. Fully remote roles and fully onsite roles are both a minority. Many companies have been asking for more office days lately, so ask for the current policy in writing.

If you are an employee and work remotely more than 30% of your hours over a three-month period, the remote work law applies to you. It gives you:

• a written remote-work agreement
• the right to say no, because remote work must be voluntary
• equipment and expenses covered by your employer
• the same rights as colleagues in the office

The law does not cover self-employed freelancers.

Where to go next

The FAQ below answers common questions, such as whether English alone is enough.

Checklist

• Check whether the role needs Spanish, especially for sales, support, HR, legal or management work.

• Find out if the company is in a main hub such as Barcelona, Madrid or Valencia, since Spanish is usually required outside them.

• Ask whether the company is an international startup or a traditional Spanish firm or consultancy, to gauge how formal the team is.

• Ask who makes decisions and how many management layers sit between you and them.

Check the working language and team structure with the company directly, as practice varies widely by company.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a tech job in Spain with only English?

Yes, you can in engineering and product roles at international startups, scale-ups and multinational tech teams in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. Outside those hubs, Spanish is usually needed day to day.

How many days a week do Spanish tech companies expect you in the office?

Hybrid with 2 to 3 office days a week is the most common pattern in Spanish tech. Fully remote and fully onsite roles are both a minority. Ask about the exact office days before you accept.

Does the remote work law protect me if I work from home?

Yes, if you are an employee and you work remotely more than 30% of your hours over three months. You then get a written agreement, voluntary remote work, equipment and expenses paid by your employer, and the same rights as onsite staff.

Will my manager be formal or on first-name terms?

First-name informality is normal at startups and international tech firms. Traditional Spanish firms and consultancies are more formal, with decisions made at the top. Watch how people address each other in your interviews.