Spain’s Public State Employment Service (SEPE) has published the Shortage Occupation List (Catálogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura in Spanish) for the third quarter of 2026, one of the most important resources for companies looking to hire foreign workers and for non-EU professionals seeking to access the Spanish labor market through an initial residence and work permit.
This latest publication comes with an interesting detail that has not gone unnoticed. The Shortage Occupation List for the second quarter of 2026 was never officially published. Instead, in early August, SEPE released the list for the third quarter.
After comparing both editions, the conclusion is straightforward: there are virtually no changes compared to the list published at the beginning of the year.
⏺️ What is the Shortage Occupation List?
The Shortage Occupation List is the official instrument through which SEPE identifies occupations for which there is an insufficient supply of workers in the Spanish labor market.
Its purpose is to facilitate the hiring of foreign workers when employers are unable to find suitable candidates within Spain.
As a general rule, when a Spanish employer wishes to hire a foreign national from outside Spain, it must first demonstrate that no suitable job seekers are available to fill the position. This requirement forms part of Spain’s labor market test (situación nacional de empleo).
However, when an occupation appears on the Shortage Occupation List, this requirement no longer applies. As a result, employers may proceed directly with the application for an initial residence and work permit, provided that all other immigration requirements are met.
This mechanism is established under Royal Decree 1155/2024, which regulates Spain’s labor market test and requires SEPE to publish the Shortage Occupation List on a quarterly basis.
⏺️ What has changed since the first quarter of 2026?
The short answer is: almost nothing.
After comparing the first-quarter and third-quarter editions, no significant changes can be identified, either in the occupations included or in their geographical distribution.
Although it is common for the list to undergo minor adjustments each quarter in response to labor market needs, SEPE has essentially maintained the same shortage occupations that were included at the beginning of the year.
No major occupations have been added, and none of the existing occupations have been removed.
As a result, employers who were already relying on this mechanism to recruit international talent will continue to operate under virtually the same framework during the third quarter of 2026.
⏺️ Main occupations included
The list continues to focus on sectors that have traditionally experienced labor shortages, particularly in the maritime, industrial, and technical sectors.
Among the most relevant occupations are:
- Professional athletes.
- Sports coaches.
- Marine refrigeration technicians.
- Chief engineers on merchant vessels.
- Marine engineers.
- Marine mechanics and coastal vessel mechanics.
- Merchant vessel pilots.
- Marine radio officers.
- Cooks, waiters, stewards, and assistants on passenger vessels.
- Aluminum, metal, and PVC carpenters.
- Metal carpentry installers.
- Electrical installers.
- Mobile crane operators, in the provinces where the occupation continues to be listed.
As in previous editions, some occupations appear only in specific provinces or autonomous communities, particularly those with significant maritime, port, or industrial activity.
For this reason, before initiating an international recruitment process, employers should verify not only that the occupation appears on the list but also that it is included for the province where the employee will perform the work.
⏺️ What does this mean for employers and foreign workers?
For employers, the inclusion of an occupation on the Shortage Occupation List significantly simplifies the hiring process by eliminating the need to demonstrate that no suitable workers are available in Spain to fill the position.
For foreign nationals, it represents one of the most efficient pathways to obtaining an initial residence and work permit in Spain, provided they have received a job offer for one of the listed occupations.
However, it is important to remember that inclusion on the list does not automatically guarantee approval of the application. Both the employer and the prospective employee must continue to satisfy all other requirements established under Spanish immigration law.
⏺️ How ARC Legal Abogados can help
At ARC Legal Abogados, we advise both employers and foreign nationals on every aspect of Spain’s initial residence and work permit procedures.
We assess the viability of each recruitment process, verify whether the position is included in the Shortage Occupation List, and manage the entire immigration procedure before the relevant Spanish Immigration Office.
Whether your company is looking to recruit international talent or you have received a job offer in Spain and would like to explore your immigration options, our team is ready to assist you throughout the process.
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¿Prefieres leer este artículo en español 🇪🇸? Puedes encontrarlo aquí: El SEPE publica el Catálogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura del tercer trimestre de 2026: sin cambios… y con algo de retraso
The information contained in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Spanish immigration law is subject to ongoing legislative, administrative, and interpretative changes. At ARC Legal Lawyers, we make every effort to ensure that our content is accurate and based on official sources. However, we always recommend seeking professional legal advice before starting any immigration procedure or making legal decisions. If you require personalized assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our team.