The Catalogue of Occupations of Difficult Coverage is a key instrument in Spain’s labor immigration system. It contains those professions for which public employment services find it particularly difficult to manage and fill vacancies. This list is published quarterly by the Public State Employment Service (SEPE) and is based on the employment needs detected in each province, as well as in the island territories and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
⏺️ Legal basis and purpose of this list
As established in Article 75 of the Immigration Regulation (Real Decreto 1155/2024, de 19 de noviembre, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social), this catalogue includes occupations for which public employment services have difficulty covering vacancies submitted by employers.
Its main objective is to enable employers to recruit non-EU foreign workers more efficiently when there is a proven shortage of candidates in the Spanish or EU labor markets. The inclusion of an occupation in the catalogue means that the employer can process a residence and work permit application without having to justify the unavailability of national or EU candidates.
⏺️ Quarterly scope and local focus
The catalogue is issued every quarter and applies from the first to the last working day of the following quarter. It is tailored for each province and region, taking into account local labor market conditions.
⏺️ Occupations included in the Q2 2025 Catalogue
For the second quarter of 2025, SEPE has published a new list of occupations that are difficult to fill, especially in strategic sectors of the Spanish economy. These include:
🔹 Professional athletes and sports coaches, approved in coordination with the State Secretariat for Sport.
🔹 Maritime sector professionals, such as refrigeration engineers, chief engineers and pilots of merchant ships, marine mechanics, and machinists.
🔹 Hospitality staff on ships, including ship cooks, stewards, and waiters.
🔹 Technicians in construction and industry, including aluminum carpenters, electricians, and crane operators.
The presence of these roles in the catalogue allows employers to process residence and work authorizations more quickly for non-EU workers.
⏺️ Benefits for foreign workers
For foreign professionals outside the EU, this list represents a potential fast track to obtaining a residence and work permit in Spain. If a job offer corresponds to a profession listed in the catalogue, the administrative process is simplified, reducing wait times and legal obstacles.
If you’re interested in working in Spain in one of these roles, make sure to understand the legal requirements and consult with a specialized immigration lawyer.
⏺️ Legal Assistance for employers and workers
At ARC Legal, we are specialists in immigration law and provide legal support to both employers and foreign nationals. Whether you’re a company looking to hire international talent or a worker seeking employment in Spain, we can guide you through the entire process of applying for residence and work permits.
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Prefer to read this article in Spanish 🇪🇸? You can find it here: Catálogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura: Segundo Trimestre 2025
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law in Spain is subject to continuous administrative and interpretive changes. At ARC Legal, we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our content based on official sources, but we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional before starting any legal procedure. If you need personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.