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Spain recorded a historic rise in foreign employment in 2025, with over 3.12 million foreign workers registered in the Social Security system by November, according to data released by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. This marks an increase of more than 200,000 workers compared to the previous year, a 7.2% year-on-year growth.
Self-employed foreign workers reached a record high of 495,635, a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Growth was particularly strong in high-skill sectors, including Information and Communications (26.4%), Energy Supply (21%), Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (19%), and Financial and Insurance Activities (14.6%).
“The contribution of foreign workers to the growth in membership over the last year is very positive. Their presence is fundamental in some sectors such as hospitality, and in others it is growing very significantly, such as in high value-added activities," said Elma Saiz, Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
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The record growth highlights the growing role of foreign workers in Spain’s economy, both as employees and entrepreneurs, contributing across traditional and high-value sectors.
Overall, foreign workers now represent 14.1% of all contributors, up 0.61 percentage points from November 2024.
Regional growth was strongest in Asturias (22.1%), Galicia (15.2%) and Extremadura (14.9%), where foreign workers still account for a smaller share of total contributors compared to the national average.
Key sectors and self-employed foreign workers drive growth
Foreign employment is particularly significant in sectors such as Hospitality (28.8%), Agriculture (25.3%), Construction (23.2%), Transport (17.8%), and Administrative Activities (17.6%). Transport and Storage saw the largest year-on-year increase at 31.4%, while other sectors including Water Supply, Construction, Agriculture, Mining, Public Administration, Health, Financial Activities, and Professional-Scientific-Technical Activities also recorded notable growth.Self-employed foreign workers reached a record high of 495,635, a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Growth was particularly strong in high-skill sectors, including Information and Communications (26.4%), Energy Supply (21%), Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (19%), and Financial and Insurance Activities (14.6%).
“The contribution of foreign workers to the growth in membership over the last year is very positive. Their presence is fundamental in some sectors such as hospitality, and in others it is growing very significantly, such as in high value-added activities," said Elma Saiz, Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The record growth highlights the growing role of foreign workers in Spain’s economy, both as employees and entrepreneurs, contributing across traditional and high-value sectors.
Overall, foreign workers now represent 14.1% of all contributors, up 0.61 percentage points from November 2024.
Regional growth was strongest in Asturias (22.1%), Galicia (15.2%) and Extremadura (14.9%), where foreign workers still account for a smaller share of total contributors compared to the national average.
