Spain’s labor market closed 2025 with a particularly significant figure in terms of employment and migration: in December, the Social Security system recorded 3,135,581 foreign workers affiliated, once seasonal and calendar effects are discounted, according to data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. This is a record-breaking figure that confirms a sustained and structural growth trend over recent years.
This volume means that 2025 ended with more than 800,000 additional foreign affiliates compared to the period prior to the labor reform, and nearly one million more than in December 2019, before the impact of the pandemic. In practical terms, foreign employment has not only recovered but has become one of the key pillars supporting the growth of the Social Security system.
⏺️ Steady and sustained growth throughout the year
Foreign employment closed 2025 at historic levels after adding 208,000 employed persons over the last twelve months. Growth remained positive almost uninterruptedly throughout the year, consolidating affiliation above three million since August.
In the final month of the year alone, the number of employed persons from other countries increased by 13,578 in seasonally adjusted terms, confirming that the upward trend remains firmly in place.
Since December 2019, affiliation of foreign workers has grown by 45%, marking the third consecutive year with increases exceeding 200,000 people. Foreign workers now account for 14.1% of all contributors to the Social Security system, six-tenths of a percentage point more than one year ago.
⏺️ Average affiliation: over three million for eight consecutive months
In average terms and without seasonal adjustment, the Social Security system closed the year with nearly 3.1 million foreign affiliates, after adding 204,659 workers over the past twelve months.
This series highlights a particularly relevant milestone: eight consecutive months with more than three million affiliated workers from other countries, reaching the highest number of foreign contributors ever recorded in both the original and seasonally adjusted series.
Of the total number of foreign affiliates, nearly 1.8 million are men and more than 1.3 million are women. Female affiliation has grown by almost 6% compared to 2024, and women now represent 43% of all foreign workers, an increasingly significant share of the labor market.
⏺️ Nationalities: Morocco leads, Venezuela shows the strongest growth
Some 29.9% of foreign-affiliated workers come from European Union countries. By nationality, Morocco remains the main country of origin, followed by Romania, Colombia, Venezuela, Italy, and China.
Particularly noteworthy is the growth of Venezuelan workers, who are now the fastest-growing group over the past year. In December 2025, there were 215,735 Venezuelan affiliates, representing 40,614 more than one year earlier—an increase of 23.2%.
They are followed by Colombia, with 28,929 additional affiliates, and Morocco, with an increase of 26,839 workers. In absolute terms, Morocco continues to lead foreign affiliation with 373,436 contributors, followed by Romania (336,530), Colombia (250,248), Venezuela (215,735), Italy (204,700), China (128,113), Peru (101,144), and Ukraine (78,456).
⏺️ Regional growth and key sectors
Growth in foreign worker affiliation has been particularly strong in Asturias, Extremadura, and Galicia—regions where the share of foreign workers remains below the national average, pointing to further potential for expansion.
By sector, the contribution of foreign workers is especially relevant within the General Social Security Regime. They account for 28.8% of affiliates in Hospitality, 26% in Agriculture, 23.2% in Construction, and 17.7% in Transport and Administrative Activities.
On a year-on-year basis, the strongest growth in foreign affiliation has been recorded in Transport and Storage, with a 26% increase, followed by Water Supply, Construction, and Agriculture.
At the same time, foreign workers continue to gain ground in higher value-added activities such as Financial Services, Health Activities, Information and Communications, and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities, with particularly strong momentum in highly qualified sectors.
⏺️ Record number of foreign self-employed workers
One of the most significant figures at the close of 2025 is the growth in self-employment. The number of foreign self-employed workers reached 496,888, a new historic high after growing by 6.3% year-on-year—well above the increase recorded among self-employed workers as a whole.
Growth is even more pronounced in highly qualified sectors. Over the past year, foreign self-employed workers increased by 25.9% in Information and Communications, 22% in Energy Supply, 19.2% in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities, and 14.2% in Financial and Insurance Activities.
💡 At ARC Legal Abogados, we provide comprehensive legal advice to foreign workers, self-employed professionals, and entrepreneurs who wish to join the Spanish labor market legally or start their own business activity in Spain.
Our services include:
– Residence and work permits for employed workers.
– Authorizations for highly qualified professionals and executive staff.
– Registration of self-employed workers and residence authorizations for self-employment.
– Visas and permits for researchers, scientists, and technical staff.
– Legal advice on company and business incorporation in Spain.
⏺️ How can ARC Legal help you?
The contribution of foreign workers to the Spanish economy is not only quantitative but also qualitative, with a growing presence in strategic and innovation-driven sectors. At ARC Legal, we support both companies seeking to attract international talent and foreign workers looking to regularize their status in Spain.
Contact our firm and we will help you manage your immigration procedures in a legal, secure, and fully personalized manner, regardless of your starting point.
Related publications
- Catalogue of Hard-to-Fill Occupations: Fourth Quarter 2025
- GECCO 2026: Spain regulates Collective Hiring of Foreign Workers at Origin
- Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) in 2026
¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Aquí te dejamos el enlace: Datos de afiliación de extranjeros a la Seguridad Social: diciembre 2025
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date information, immigration regulations are subject to change and interpretation by the competent authorities. For tailored and current legal advice, we recommend consulting a specialized immigration lawyer.