World Immigration News

(Real Instituto Elcano)Immigration and the labour market in Spain (V): European immigration

Release Date: 2026-06-24
Media: Real Instituto Elcano
Summary: Spain was home to about 2.4 million European immigrants in 2025, accounting for 26% of all immigrants. This population is highly diverse, including retirees, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, Eastern European workers, and Ukrainian refugees. Immigrants from wealthier European countries are often highly educated and work in professional or managerial positions, while those from Eastern Europe play a vital role in sectors facing labor shortages, such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, and domestic services. Meanwhile, Romanian and Bulgarian populations have declined significantly, reflecting challenges such as low wages and housing shortages.

The report concludes that European immigration to Spain can no longer be viewed mainly as retirement or lifestyle migration. Instead, it has become an important source of labor and economic growth, although employment outcomes vary widely by country of origin. It argues that policymakers should recognize the diversity of European migrants and address barriers to long-term settlement and labor market integration.
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2026-06-24

Immigration and the labour market in Spain (V): European immigration(Real Instituto Elcano)

Spain

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2026-03-10

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2026-02-18

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