Catalonia tech hubs have firmly established the region as one of Europe’s premier technological destinations. New data reveals the sector generated an annual economic impact of €4.1 billion in 2025. According to the latest Tech Hubs Overview report, the region now hosts 203 technology hubs employing 46,000 professionals. Consequently, a significant portion of this workforce comprises international talent.
Officials presented the report on Monday at Pier 01 in Barcelona. Secretary of Enterprise Jaume Baró and Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls detailed how the ecosystem has evolved to compete with major capitals.
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“We compete with Berlin, Amsterdam, Singapore, and London. We have an impressive capacity for competitiveness.”Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona
Catalonia Tech Hubs: A Global Workforce
One striking finding of the fourth edition study is the demographic composition of the sector. Foreign nationals now hold 30% of all jobs within Catalonia’s technology centres. Moreover, the broader “international origin” of the workforce rises to 38%. This underscores the ecosystem’s ability to attract cross-border talent.
Barcelona remains the epicentre of this activity. The city concentrates 76% of all hubs. Additionally, districts like Sant Martí and Eixample have emerged as primary focal points for these companies. In 2025 alone, at least 12 new technology centres were established in the region.
AI and Digital Transformation
The work undertaken in these hubs is becoming increasingly sophisticated. The report notes that 65% of the centres focus on complex technologies. Within this high-tech segment, 85% of projects now link to artificial intelligence (AI).
Jordi Arrufí, Director of Digital Talent at MWCapital, noted the landscape is shifting. Meanwhile, three out of four hubs now belong to companies in traditional sectors. These include mobility, aviation, and health. Therefore, they are driving their own digital transformation rather than solely producing digital-native products.
Major players continue to dominate the landscape. By number of hubs, HP maintains its historical leadership in Catalonia. Additionally, the pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and human capital management specialist ADP follow.
Challenges: Talent Gaps and Housing
Despite robust growth, the sector faces distinct challenges. Companies report ongoing difficulties in recruiting for highly technical roles. These include cybersecurity analysts, software engineers, and AI experts.
Diversity also remains an area for improvement. Women make up 31% of the 46,000-strong workforce. However, they hold only 20% of leadership positions.
Looking ahead, the government aims to attract €6 billion in financing between 2026 and 2030. However, Jaume Baró emphasised that economic expansion must be managed alongside social infrastructure.
“If the economy is not internationalised, our citizens will not have the opportunity for decent jobs,” Baró stated. Consequently, he acknowledged the need to balance investment attraction with policies that address the city’s housing availability.
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