u/thomasmarsh10

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are planning to move to Madrid next year. We’re treating it as a long‑term test run (at least a year, possibly a few years), and we’re trying to understand what level of Spanish is actually needed to get decent jobs in our fields.

👩‍**💼 My backgrou**nd
Sustainability consulting / ESG

Experience in insurance + banking

3 years working in ESG

Open to staying in my field, but also considering getting a TEFL qualification and teaching English if that makes employment more realistic

👨‍**💼 My partner’s backgrou**nd
Business development

Experience in Mastercard + Uber

Interested in BD roles or possibly venture capital

Keen to stay in his field if possible

🗣 Our Spanish level
I’m currently A1 (beginner)

My partner is slightly above A1

We’re actively studying ~5–6 hours per week

Hoping to reach a functional level before moving, but we’re unsure what’s realistic or required

💼 What we consider a “decent job”
Stable employment

Enough to live comfortably in Madrid

Preferably not temporary or remote roles

Open to English‑speaking jobs, especially with multinationals (we’ve both worked for large global companies)

❓ Our main concern
We’re most worried about whether we can get jobs in our fields without being fluent. I’m more flexible and open to changing fields if needed, but my partner is hoping to stay in business development or move toward VC.

🙏 What we’d love advice on
What Spanish level is actually needed for roles in ESG, sustainability, BD, or VC in Madrid?

Are English‑speaking roles in these areas common or extremely competitive?

Is TEFL a realistic backup plan for me, or is the market oversaturated?

How far can A1/A2 get you, and what level should we aim for before arriving?

Any expats who moved with beginner Spanish — how did job hunting go?

Any companies or sectors in Madrid where English is genuinely the working language?

Any insights, personal experiences, or honest reality checks would be hugely appreciated. We’re excited about the move but want to go in with clear expectations.

Thanks so much!