Overview of the Growth in Foreign Social Security Contributions in Spain
Spain closed 2025 with more than 3.1 million foreign contributors to its Social Security system, highlighting the significant role of immigration in job creation. The latest data indicate that a large portion of new job opportunities in Spain is being filled by workers from various countries, reflecting a change in the nationalities of these new affiliates.
Increasing Venezuelan Contributions
In 2025, Venezuelans emerged as the nationality with the highest increase in new foreign affiliations to Social Security, surpassing Colombians. Although they are not the most numerous group overall—this position is still held by Moroccan and Romanian workers—they have experienced a remarkable surge in registrations.
Record Number of Foreign Affiliates
As of December 2025, the Social Security system recorded 3,135,581 foreign affiliates, an increase of over 800,000 contributors since the labor reform, and nearly one million more than before the pandemic. This surge indicates that 40.4% of the total new affiliations to Social Security were made by foreign workers. Foreign nationals now comprise 14.12% of the total workforce, an increase of six-tenths compared to 2024.
Quote from Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration: “The 2025 balance shows that the contribution of foreign people is structural and decisive for employment growth, the sustainability of the pension system, and the shared prosperity of our country.”
Venezuelans: Leaders in Growth
The Venezuelan community has seen the most substantial increase in new foreign affiliations. They registered 40,614 new memberships compared to 2024, reaching a total of 215,735 Venezuelans contributing to the system. This 23.2% growth places them at 19.8% of all new foreign registrations, marking a pivotal moment as they become the fastest-growing nationality in terms of new contributions.
Colombians: More Numerous but Slower Growth
Despite Venezuelans leading growth, Colombians remain the largest nationality in terms of total affiliations. As of the end of 2025, there were approximately 250,248 Colombian workers contributing to Social Security, reflecting a growth of 13% from the previous year. While the Colombian community is significant, they still fall behind in numbers compared to Moroccan and Romanian workers.
Impact on the Labor Market
Foreign workers play a crucial role in sectors with high labor demand, such as:
- Hospitality (28.8%)
- Agriculture (26%)
- Construction (23.2%)
These sectors depend heavily on foreign labor, easing the strain during busy periods and helping sustain overall economic activity.
Rise of Foreign Self-Employed Workers
By the end of 2025, the number of foreign self-employed workers reached 496,888, achieving a historic high with a 6.3% increase year-on-year. The most significant growth was found in the Information and Communications sectors at 25.9%, followed closely by Energy Supply at 22%.
Thus, the data illustrates the growing importance of foreign contributions not just to Social Security, but also to Spain’s broader economic landscape.