Can I telecommute and live in Spain??

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I am currently a nurse w/ 3 yrs of experience. I have a great opportunity to move to Spain in the near future (for just a few years). Working there is not an option--they have an awful unemployment rate as it is, w/ their own nurses out of work, and I do not speak Spanish. I was wondering if I could find a telecommuting job here, like case mgmt, then just simply move to Spain and work from there. I can't move to Spain and not have income. I don't have enough time to save before this opportunity passes. I want to go so bad!! Has anyone done anything similar or know of a reason this would be impossible??

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Most telecommuting jobs require you to check in weekly. Are you an experienced coder or abstractor some of those jobs are completely remote but you need experience.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I telecommute and I am required to live in the US. Something having to do with taxes.

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No experience in anything but bedside nursing. How would they even know I am there if I am not required to phyically check in? I found a lot of 100% telecommuting jobs, and some that don't require patient phone calls so I won't be calling internationally. I don't want to get in any trouble with taxes, of course. But could I just get a job, start while here in the US, then "vacation" for a year in Spain while working?? I'm not offically moving there, not becoming a citizen or changing my address or anything like that. I may have some other non-nursing things I can look into, but I would definently prefer to stay in the nursing field. I guess I'm be naive :/

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Well, if you want to be able to access the $$ they are paying you, they'll know you have an overseas bank account. PLUS- telecommuting requires a certain amount of real-time collaboration with the 'home office'. The time difference is between six and ten hours, depending on the company.

AND- if you have no experience in case management. etc- you will need to do a significant amount of training. I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, honestly, and I know you REALLY want to go to Spain- but I'm just trying to be realistic. Most telecommute jobs REQUIRE you to be in the States. They find out you're overseas, and you're out of a job- and thousands of miles from home.

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well I wasn't going to switch my bank accounts over, leave them as is and I can withdrawl money from ATMs there. but regardless, I really don't see this being possible. I found international telecommute jobs but they aren't nursing. It's all sales and telemarketing and stuff like that. Maybe I can get special permission from someone since it's temporary? I don't know. I hate to get out of the nursing field and I actually love my job now, but when does an opportunity to move to Spain and have FREE housing on the beach ever come along!!?? I just need some income to pay water and internet and eat. Any adivce?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Many USC live abroad and earn money, My understanding is making sure you file correctly in the US when it is time to file for taxes

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I don't see the problem really...I keep my American bank account and address and file taxes and break no laws, do a 100% online telecommute job that requires no check in or international phone calls...how will they know where I am? I will be vacationing in Spain for an extended time, but not officially moving. And if they find out and don't like it, as long as I didn't sign some contract specifically saying I will always be in the US, and as long as everything I do is legal...the worse they can do is fire me and I move back home when I'm out of money. I hate to hide it from them, but I don't think they'd find out where I am. And I would start the job while in the US and be comfortable with it before the move. Like I said, as long as the worse case scenario is them firing me, and NOT legal repercussions, then why not give it a shot!!??

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

All I am saying is many USC work live abroad and file taxes with no issues and breaking no laws. I would though look at any requirements needed allowing you to work in Spain even if you are working for company in the US.

Example being the US will not allow people to spend time in the US and work for the company in another country without a valid work visa regardless

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good point. I'll check the Spanish laws and make sure I get the appropriate visa. Thanks for your input and encouraging advice :)

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