Spain surpasses 500,000 foreign self-employed workers in historic milestone

Friday 06 March 2026 - 21:00

The number of foreign self-employed workers in Spain has surpassed a historic milestone, exceeding 500,000 registered contributors to the national Spanish Social Security System for the first time.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, the country currently counts 500,038 foreign entrepreneurs and independent workers affiliated with the social security system.

Strong growth over two decades

The data show a remarkable transformation in Spain’s labor landscape. Over the past twenty years, the number of foreign self-employed workers has more than tripled, reflecting the growing contribution of migrants to the country’s economic activity.

The trend has accelerated in recent years, particularly after the global recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities say that migrant entrepreneurs are increasingly choosing self-employment as a pathway to integration and economic stability.

In 2025 alone, the number of foreign independent workers increased by around 6 percent, compared with only a modest 0.4 percent rise among Spanish nationals.

Migrants driving new business activity

Of the roughly 37,500 new self-employment registrations recorded during the past year, nearly three-quarters were attributed to workers of foreign origin. Economists say this reflects both demographic changes and the growing importance of migrant entrepreneurship.

Spain currently has more than 3.1 million foreign workers contributing to social security, representing about 14 percent of all registered employees in the country.

Key sectors for migrant entrepreneurs

The expansion of foreign self-employment is particularly visible in sectors facing labor shortages. Many migrant entrepreneurs operate in retail trade, hospitality, construction, transportation, and personal care services.

These sectors are essential to Spain’s domestic economy and often depend on small businesses and family-run operations to maintain activity.

Nationalities shaping the trend

Among the different communities, the largest group of foreign self-employed workers comes from China, with close to 69,000 registered entrepreneurs.

Other major communities include nationals from Morocco, Romania, Colombia, and Venezuela, all of whom have steadily increased their presence in Spain’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Experts say the growing role of migrant entrepreneurs highlights the importance of immigration in supporting Spain’s labor market and sustaining economic growth.