Spain closed 2025 with 3,135,581 foreign contributors to Social Security, an all-time high that cements migrants’ role in sustaining the country’s labour market, the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration reported on 16 January. The stock of foreign workers has grown by 208,000 in the past 12 months and by more than 800,000 since the 2021 labour-market reform. (lamoncloa.gob.es)
For the first time since records began, Venezuelans provided the largest annual increase—40,614 new affiliates—overtaking Colombians (28,929). Marruecos remains the single biggest community with 373,000 workers, followed by Rumanía (337,000). Foreign talent now represents 14.1 % of total contributors, up from 10.9 % before the pandemic. (lamoncloa.gob.es)
Sectorally, migrants are indispensable: they account for 29 % of hospitality jobs and 26 % in agriculture, but growth is fastest in higher-value sectors such as information & communications (+26 % year-on-year) and energy (+22 %). Nearly half a million foreigners are registered as self-employed, a 6.3 % jump that outpaces local entrepreneurs. The ministry credits Spain’s Start-up Law, Digital Nomad Visa and simplified Highly Skilled permit for attracting qualified professionals.
![Foreign workforce in Spain hits record 3.1 million; Venezuelans top 2025 growth table]()
Navigating Spain’s evolving visa categories and permit requirements can be challenging. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) simplifies the process for Digital Nomad, Highly Skilled, seasonal and other visas, providing document checklists, expert reviews and real-time tracking—support that helps both individuals and HR teams secure talent quickly and compliantly.
Implications for employers: talent shortages in IT, engineering and healthcare could worsen if wage inflation or housing costs deter new arrivals. HR teams should benchmark salaries against the upcoming 2026 minimum-wage hike—any rise automatically lifts the income thresholds for digital-nomad and highly-qualified visas. Companies may also have to update diversity-and-inclusion policies; foreigners are now 43 % female, a rising share that may alter workplace dynamics.
Looking ahead, authorities will publish the 2026 GECCO quota for seasonal hires in the next Council of Ministers meeting. Employers planning large intakes of third-country nationals should pre-collect documentation so they can file the collective petitions as soon as the quota opens.
For the first time since records began, Venezuelans provided the largest annual increase—40,614 new affiliates—overtaking Colombians (28,929). Marruecos remains the single biggest community with 373,000 workers, followed by Rumanía (337,000). Foreign talent now represents 14.1 % of total contributors, up from 10.9 % before the pandemic. (lamoncloa.gob.es)
Sectorally, migrants are indispensable: they account for 29 % of hospitality jobs and 26 % in agriculture, but growth is fastest in higher-value sectors such as information & communications (+26 % year-on-year) and energy (+22 %). Nearly half a million foreigners are registered as self-employed, a 6.3 % jump that outpaces local entrepreneurs. The ministry credits Spain’s Start-up Law, Digital Nomad Visa and simplified Highly Skilled permit for attracting qualified professionals.
Navigating Spain’s evolving visa categories and permit requirements can be challenging. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) simplifies the process for Digital Nomad, Highly Skilled, seasonal and other visas, providing document checklists, expert reviews and real-time tracking—support that helps both individuals and HR teams secure talent quickly and compliantly.
Implications for employers: talent shortages in IT, engineering and healthcare could worsen if wage inflation or housing costs deter new arrivals. HR teams should benchmark salaries against the upcoming 2026 minimum-wage hike—any rise automatically lifts the income thresholds for digital-nomad and highly-qualified visas. Companies may also have to update diversity-and-inclusion policies; foreigners are now 43 % female, a rising share that may alter workplace dynamics.
Looking ahead, authorities will publish the 2026 GECCO quota for seasonal hires in the next Council of Ministers meeting. Employers planning large intakes of third-country nationals should pre-collect documentation so they can file the collective petitions as soon as the quota opens.
