When an international assignment fails, the reason is often at home rather than at work. The employee arrives to a job, a team and a routine. The partner often arrives to none of those. Companies that support the partner protect their investment in the move.
1. Talk to the partner before the move. Include them in the first needs call. Their priorities (work, studies, children, health) shape the choice of neighbourhood and school.
2. Check the right to work early. Depending on the immigration route, family members may be allowed to work in Spain. Confirm it at the start so the partner can plan.
3. Language from week one. Intensive Spanish classes, ideally paid by the company for the first months, make daily life and job searching much easier.
4. Career and network support. A CV adapted to the Spanish market, introductions to professional associations and chambers of commerce, and information on having foreign qualifications recognised.
5. A community. International clubs, parents' associations at school, sports and volunteering. We introduce families to the communities that fit them in Madrid and Valencia.
The result. Families who settle stay longer, and employees who are not worried about home perform better from the first months.