The provincial government of Almería and the College of Social Graduates opened a one-day conference at the Museo del Realismo Español Contemporáneo (MUREC) on 18 December to coincide with International Migrants Day. Panels brought together legal scholars, HR practitioners and regional officials to dissect Spain’s evolving migration framework and its impact on local labour shortages.
Key themes included the roll-out of Spain’s digital nomad visa—now representing 6,800 residence permits—and the difficulty agricultural cooperatives face in recruiting seasonal pickers under the circular-migration schemes with Morocco and Colombia. Representatives from the tomato exporter CASI said processing times for temporary work authorisations still exceed 45 days, jeopardising harvest schedules.
![Almería hosts national forum on ‘Migration in Spain: challenges and opportunities’]()
In this landscape, VisaHQ can simplify the process for both companies and individuals seeking Spanish permits. From digital-nomad visas to seasonal work authorisations, its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time tracking and expert support—helping applicants sidestep the very delays Almería’s growers decried.
The forum also showcased municipal initiatives: Almería’s ‘Integra-TIC’ project pairs IT skills training for newcomers with job placements at the city’s expanding logistics park; meanwhile, the Andalusian Regional Government previewed a 2026 pilot that will let companies post trainees across provinces without separate regional permits.
For corporate relocation teams, the takeaway is clear: secondary Spanish cities are actively courting foreign talent and streamlining local bureaucracy, offering alternatives to saturated metros like Madrid and Barcelona. Employers should monitor forthcoming regional decrees that may further decentralise permit processing in 2026.
Key themes included the roll-out of Spain’s digital nomad visa—now representing 6,800 residence permits—and the difficulty agricultural cooperatives face in recruiting seasonal pickers under the circular-migration schemes with Morocco and Colombia. Representatives from the tomato exporter CASI said processing times for temporary work authorisations still exceed 45 days, jeopardising harvest schedules.
In this landscape, VisaHQ can simplify the process for both companies and individuals seeking Spanish permits. From digital-nomad visas to seasonal work authorisations, its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time tracking and expert support—helping applicants sidestep the very delays Almería’s growers decried.
The forum also showcased municipal initiatives: Almería’s ‘Integra-TIC’ project pairs IT skills training for newcomers with job placements at the city’s expanding logistics park; meanwhile, the Andalusian Regional Government previewed a 2026 pilot that will let companies post trainees across provinces without separate regional permits.
For corporate relocation teams, the takeaway is clear: secondary Spanish cities are actively courting foreign talent and streamlining local bureaucracy, offering alternatives to saturated metros like Madrid and Barcelona. Employers should monitor forthcoming regional decrees that may further decentralise permit processing in 2026.
