The number of foreign self-employed workers in Catalonia has surged by 33.2% between August 2020 and August 2025, according to data released by the UGT trade union.
Over this period, 26,344 new registrations brought the total to 105,713, making foreign entrepreneurs responsible for the entire net increase in Catalonia’s Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA). In effect, the union notes, their growth has not only offset retirements but has become the driving force behind generational renewal in the sector.
UGT highlights that the rise has been felt across almost all industries, with foreign professionals helping to sustain traditional trades while also bolstering highly skilled areas. The union argues that this contribution is vital for the renewal and long-term sustainability of the self-employed sector in Catalonia.
The figures point to a structural change in the region’s labour market, where international workers are increasingly key to maintaining competitiveness and filling gaps created by demographic shifts. With the trend showing no signs of slowing, UGT has called for policies that recognise and support the role of foreign entrepreneurs.
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