If you didn't have the opportunity to join us last Wednesday, May 27th, here you can watch the complete expert interview made by Expat Partners to our GDGlobalMobility director, Jordi Roca. It was an online event where we replied to questions with Fiona Mougenot, ExpatPartners Managing Director, on the COVID-19 implications to HR and immigration in Spain.
Challenges that you have had for your clients over the Coronavirus
What have been the main challenges that you have had for your clients over the Covid-19?
Definitely those times are very challenging for all of us and particularly for employers with employees in Spain. They have been facing an astonishing amount of new regulations from the government, impacting on mobility, employment, health & safety measures. Sometimes it is difficult enough for ourselves to understand how the new regulations impact and explain them to someone who is not familiar with the legal approach in Spain at all. The employees also want to make sure that everyone was complying with the new safety securities protocols, and that make them very anxious.
We spent countless hours over the phone explaining what needs to be done and guiding them on how to obtain the public funds for temporary unemployment or how to get a return flight to their home country. I feel very proud of my team because they have been very generous in helping our clients' lives and I really appreciate it.
Coronavirus: special facilities regarding the extensions of permits
Are there any special facilities regarding the extensions of permits that either have expired during the Covid19 or are about to expire?
I have to say that Spanish government have been very proactive and thoughtful. They have a lot of empathy for the foreigners in Spain. They have declared 4 measures:
- the automatic extension on work and residence permits that were about or have expired, for 6months from the date the state of alarm ceases.
- also for foreigners is Spain under the 90days business basis, the automatic renewal was set up for 3 months
- for legal residents who were outside of the Schengen area during the Emergency State moment and have a residence card about to expire within the last 6months, would be allowed to re enter the country without the return authorization usually asked
- allow any foreigner to enter Spain if the purpose of the visit is to work, to facilitate the activity of all companies (usual official documents are of course requirement such as invitation letter or employment letter)
Coronavirus: Best pratices for companies that do need to ensure their employees arrive shortly
What would be your suggestions today for best pratices for companies that do need to ensure their employees arrive shortly?
Things are moving very quickly and last Saturday, President Sanchez announced that State of Alarm is planned to be seized by mid of June, and anticipated that tourist should be able to come back by beginning of July, as most of the international mobility limitations will be progressively reduced.
Some companies may have some difficulties and delays in obtaining the required documents from their own national authorities. I think from now, all of HR departments in companies will have to pay a lot more attention to health and safety protocols for their employees as well.
Coronavirus: Companies looking at Spain as an EU solution
What are your recommendations for companies looking at Spain as an EU solution?
My recommendation is simply: go for it!
Spain has done a lot of progress in terms of timing for work permits over the past years. I think it's a very good location and obviously I can't do nothing but to recommend it.
Contact us with no obligation and find out about the types of permits you can obtain
