Foreign workers in Catalonia now represent a significant 18% of the regional workforce. According to the latest data, the region ended 2025 with a record 697,103 international employees registered with Social Security. This figure marks a new demographic milestone for the Catalan labour market.
This total represents a 4.2% annual increase. However, the structural shift over the last decade is even more pronounced. Since 2015, the number of foreign workers in Catalonia has nearly doubled, rising from 12% to 18% of the total workforce. In addition, this influx correlates with increased activity in the property market, including a notable rise in foreign home purchases in Barcelona.
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Which Nationalities Drive Growth Among Foreign Workers in Catalonia?
Citizens from outside the European Union form the majority of this group, accounting for 72% of foreign staff. Moroccan nationals remain the largest single group with over 84,000 workers, followed by Italians and Romanians.
While established communities remain strong, new migration patterns are reshaping the labour market. For example, the number of Venezuelan workers jumped by 11.8% in one year, reaching over 27,000 people. This mirrors a national trend, where Venezuelan employment figures rose by 23.2% across Spain, as reported by the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Where Do Foreign Workers in Catalonia Find Employment?
The services sector absorbs the largest share of this workforce. Commerce employs nearly 90,000 foreign nationals, followed closely by the hospitality industry with over 81,000. Meanwhile, manufacturing and construction also rely heavily on international labour, employing 62,303 and 11,647 people respectively. However, this growth occurs alongside separate warnings about a Barcelona labour market slowdown from local business groups.
Self-employment is another significant factor. Approximately 15% of foreign workers in Catalonia—over 107,000 people—run their own businesses or work as freelancers.
How Does Catalonia Compare to the Rest of Spain?
The trend in Catalonia reflects a broader national shift. The Spanish government confirmed that foreign affiliation grew by 7.1% nationally in 2025, exceeding 3 million workers. According to the official report from the Ministry of Inclusion, foreign workers now represent 14.1% of all contributors in Spain, slightly below the Catalan average.
Elma Saiz, the minister responsible, described this contribution as “structural and decisive” for pension sustainability. Officials also noted improving employment quality, with permanent full-time contracts gaining ground since the 2021 labour reforms. Therefore, to support integration, the government has expanded funding for Catalan language courses for adults.
Finally, Spain’s northern regions, including Asturias and Galicia, saw the most intense percentage growth last year. Nevertheless, their overall numbers remain lower than in Mediterranean economic hubs like Catalonia.
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