Today I’d like to discuss something that many of you will find interesting.

My colleague Alex is from Lithuania and some weeks ago he told me of his desire to further his career as a researcher in Spain. I’m trying to help him as much as I can, and searching for exchange programmes for scientists and researchers in Spain I came across exactly what I was looking for! A guide that compiles all the information that foreign investigators interested in carrying out research in Spain require, the Guide for The Management of The Mobility of the Foreign Researcher in Spain 2014, extremely useful for all foreign researchers, whether they already live in Spain or are thinking of doing so. The guide is available through the Euraxess Spain portal.

The guide is available through the Euraxess Spain portal and is extremely useful for all foreign researchers, whether they already live in Spain or are thinking of doing so.

Euraxess is an initiative set up by the European Commission to promote research mobility. The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology — FECYT, for its initials in Spanish — manages the Euraxess Spain Project and is responsible for publishing the guide, intended to provide customised attention to researchers who have moved to Spain from other states in the European Union or associated countries.

In short, this guide intends to provide answers to the questions researchers may ask themselves before, during or after setting out on their journey. It describes ‘Horizon 2020,’ the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, the European grants for researchers’ mobility and the European Charter and Code of Conduct for their recruitment. It also explains the characteristics and indicators of the Spanish System for Science, Technology and Innovation, the development of a career in research, protection of I&D and the homologation of foreign degrees.

Alex found it all very useful, for it provided him with practical information on conditions for entering and living in Spain, detailed explanations of the formalities and procedures required for entrance into the country, the type of visa permit, taxes, allowances, Social Security benefits, teaching centres and how to enter the Spanish education system, and membership of the Spanish Euraxess Network that has over eighty-five centres in the different regions, all of them with a team of professionals who are ready to provide with personalized assistance to foreign researches and their families.

The guide is for orientation purposes and doesn’t substitute the information provided by the competent organisations, with which it will be necessary to conduct procedures.

Alex feels very much obliged. When he first thought of travelling to Spain he felt confused and a little lost, but thanks to the guide he has managed to get a clear idea of the system and has been able to begin to prepare his trip. I’m pleased to learn that he now has everything under control.

We often want something and have a mental block when we can’t find the right information or a helping hand. Then, when we discover what we need, the clouds are dispelled and we see clearly.

I’m very pleased with him, and I hope he fulfils his ambition. Indeed, I’m sure he will.

Helping Alex on ‘Which is the best programme for a foreign research who lives in Spain or is thinking to move there soon?,’ I’ve opened a new chapter in the last pages of my notebook with all the information that will be so helpful for what I think will be my near future plans.