HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Situated in the southwest of Europe, Spain provides opportunities amid a vibrant cultural heritage and a robust economy. Ranking as the fourth most populous country in the European Union with over 47 million inhabitants, Spain's dynamic economy and evolving demographics contribute to its distinct character.

In the following article, we will give you an overview of the labour market in Spain including the current labour trends and shortgages and the most in-demand jobs by sector and region with the view of helping you to successfully apply for a Spanish work visa.

Demographics and Economy

Despite a slight dip in Spanish nationals in early 2022, there's a rise in non-nationals, including Romanians, Italians, Germans, Moroccans, Colombians, and Britons. Spain's economy is ranked fourth in the EU and 14th globally by nominal GDP, driven by domestic demand and external sectors.

Labour Market

Spain's labour market is on an upswing, creating over one million permanent jobs in the past year after a significant labour reform. There's a move towards European labour market standards, reducing temporary employment and youth unemployment. Challenges include an ageing population and persistent youth and long-term unemployment.

Business and Sectors

Spain's business landscape involves 3.43 million active businesses, with small units in services and major international players in sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism. Recent positive trends show resilience despite a fragmented structure.

Labour Trends and Shortages

The 2022 employment balance in Spain reflects recovery, with declining unemployment and more affiliated workers. Long-term unemployment, especially among women and those above 45, remains a challenge. The economic recovery brings forth labour shortages due to digitalisation, an ageing population, and shifting youth occupational interests.

In-Demand Jobs

Spain faces a significant number of job vacancies, notably in the services sector. According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), companies estimated 140,517 job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily concentrated in services. However, despite these vacancies, Spain is noted in Eurostat data as having some of the lowest rates of available employment in Europe.

Reskilling in Health Crisis

The ongoing health crisis leaves a lasting impact on Spain's labour market, necessitating reskilling as job profiles evolve. While job applications flood public employment services, aligning skills with the changing job market is a challenge.

In this context, our exploration delves deeper into Spain's most sought-after jobs, analysing sectors and regions to guide those navigating the nuances of Spain's changing employment landscape.

Which jobs are in demand and will help me get a Spanish work visa?

According to data from the EURES website, the following roles stand out as highly sought-after on a national scale. Possessing proficiency in any of these sectors will undoubtedly enhance your prospects of securing a work visa in Spain.

1. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Professionals

Professionals in Data Analysis
Computer Engineering Specialists
Experts in Big Data, IT Security and AI
Renewable Energy Engineers
Experts in Business Intelligence and Data Mining

2. Healthcare Professionals
- Nurses
- Healthcare Assistants
- Technical Specialists in Healthcare

3. Construction and Skilled Trades
- Plumbers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters

4. Hospitality
- Waiters
- Cooks

5. Transportation and Logistics
- Truck Drivers
- Forklift Drivers

Which regions have the best job opportunities and in which sectors?

Below we give you a brief overview of the labour market for each of the Spanish regions and list the most in-demand jobs as highlighted by EURES.

Andalucia

Andalusia, situated in southern Spain, is the country's second-largest autonomous community, covering 87,597 km². With a population of 8,500,187, it boasts diverse provinces like Almería, Cádiz, and Seville. The business landscape comprises 545,502 registered companies, with retail, food services, and construction dominating. Andalusia contributes 13.3% to Spain's GDP, with the services sector leading.

In terms of employment, Andalusia faces challenges with an unemployment rate of 19.00%. Sectors like tourism and technology show potential, with job demand in health, technology, and traditional fields such as bricklaying, cooking, and heavy truck driving.

Jobs in Demand in Andalusia:

1. General Medical Practitioners
2. Nursing Professionals
3. Systems Analysts
4. Web and Multimedia Developers
5. Bricklayers and Related Workers
6. Cooks
7. Heavy Truck and Lorry Drivers

Aragon

Nestled in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, adjacent to France, Aragon, an Autonomous Community, encompasses Huesca, Teruel, and Zaragoza provinces. Stretching across 47,720 km², it stands as Spain's fourth-largest autonomous region. The latest INE data from early 2022 discloses a population of 1,326,315, translating to a density of nearly 28 inhabitants per km²—far below the national average of 93.

Zaragoza houses over half the population, yet Aragon grapples with an aged demographic and a high dependency rate. Since 2017, modest population growth, notably driven by immigration, has maintained stability. The 12.42% foreign population, predominantly from Romania, Morocco, Nicaragua, Colombia, and China, counters the decline in the national populace.

Jobs in Demand in Aragon:-

1. Seasonal labourers
2. Forklift operators
3. Distributors
4. Qualified staff for care in residences
5. Specialised doctors
6. Nurses
7. Hospital nursing assistants
8. Teaching vacancies in certain technical subjects and vocational training
9. Photovoltaic panel installers
10. Bricklayers
11. Electricians
12. Crane operators
13. Foremen
14. Construction managers
15. Civil engineers
16. Lorry drivers
17. Data analysts
18. Computer engineers
19. Engineers with expertise in renewable energy (wind farms, photovoltaic systems)
20. Big data and IT security technicians
21. Experts in business intelligence and data mining

Asturias

Nestled in northern Spain, Asturias spans 10,603.57 km² with a population of 1,004,686, experiencing a 0.70% annual decline. The population density is 94.75 inhabitants/km², predominantly in the central area. The region grapples with an ageing population, with over-65s comprising 27.15%. Non-nationals make up 4.54%, totaling 45,630, mainly women. The economy hosts 68,068 companies, primarily in services (83.13%), followed by construction (11.88%) and industry (4.98%). Key employers include Alimerka and ArcelorMittal. Asturias' GDP stands at 5.5%, with the services sector contributing 83.00%, construction 11.90%, and industry 5.10%.

Jobs in Demand in Asturias:-

1. Craft and related trades workers;
2. Tool manufacturing workers;
3. Mechanic-fitters, tool and die makers, and related trades;
4. Metal production process control technicians;
5. Bricklayers and related workers;
6. Salaried lorry drivers;
7. Salaried waiters;
8. Shop salespersons;
9. Domestic workers;
10. Kitchen helpers;
11. Nursing assistants;
12. Domestic care workers;
13. Recreation and entertainment monitors;
14. Remote operators.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, form one of Spain's autonomous communities and belong to the European Union's outermost regions. With two provinces, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the region covers 7,447 km² and boasts a population of 2,177,701. Small and medium-sized enterprises dominate the business landscape, particularly in energy, tourism, food, pharmaceuticals, and transport. Despite facing a 14.57% unemployment rate, the islands attract significant tourist traffic, with 9,889,162 visitors in 2022. The services sector employs a substantial portion of the population, and the islands remain a popular destination for both international and domestic tourists.

Jobs in Demand in Canary Islands:-

1. Waiters
2. Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels, and other establishments
3. Construction labourers
4. Technical metal workers (welders and flame cutters)
5. Airport handling staff
6. Drivers
7. Family doctors
8. Home-based personal care workers
9. Specialised staff for filming activities by major international producers

Cantabria

Cantabria, positioned along the northern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, spans 5,321 km² with 284 km of Cantabrian Sea coastline. Boasting a population of 585,402, the region experienced a slight 0.15% increase, mirroring the national trend. Key economic hubs include Santander and Torrelavega on the coast, with a mild Atlantic climate.

The economic recovery in 2022 showed positive trends, aligning with Spain's growth. Services, construction, and industry lead the rebound. Despite the overall recovery, specific occupations face challenges due to structural unemployment. In-demand roles include health-related positions, qualified construction staff, technical profiles in metal and wood industries, lorry drivers (especially international), and information and communication technology professionals.

Jobs in Demand in Cantabria:

1. Health-related jobs
2. Qualified construction staff
3. Technical profiles in metal and wood industries
4. Lorry drivers (especially international)
5. Information and communication technology professionals

Castile and Leon

Castile and Leon, located in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, is Spain's largest autonomous community, covering 94,224 km². With nine provinces and 2,248 municipalities, it acts as a communication hub linking various Spanish regions. As of January 1, 2022, it had a population of 2,372,640, with over a quarter aged 65 or older. The business landscape comprises 157,730 companies, mostly small-sized.

The GDP in 2021 was EUR 58.1 billion, contributing 4.82% to the national figure. Employment in the community shows growth, with 1,014,300 employed, particularly in the service sector. Unemployment stands at 8.83%. Notable companies include Renault Group España, Grupo Antolín, and Michelin España Portugal. Job demand exists in healthcare, transport, and construction, with occupations like family doctors, nursing professionals, lorry drivers, and bricklayers facing shortages.

Jobs in Demand in Castile and Leon:

1. Family doctor
2. Specialist medical practitioners
3. Nursing professionals
4. Physiotherapists
5. Heavy truck and lorry drivers
6. Cooks
7. Preschool teachers
8. Home-based personal care workers
9. Bricklayers and related workers
10. Building and related electricians

Castile-La Mancha

Castile-La Mancha is the third-largest region in Spain, consisting of five provinces. With an area covering 79,462 km² and a population of 2,053,328, it represents 4.33% of the Spanish population. The regional economy experienced 7.50% growth in 2021, primarily driven by the services sector. Castile-La Mancha faces a 14.38% unemployment rate, higher than the national average. The majority of the employed population works in services (70.03%), followed by industry (15.28%), agriculture (6.61%), and construction (8.09%).
Jobs in Demand in Castile-La Mancha:

1. Agricultural labourers and shepherds (seasonal demand during grape, olive, and garlic harvests)
2. Food industry workers (recruitment influenced by seasonal factors and agricultural activity)
3. Health professionals (nurses, doctors, physiotherapists) and staff for retirement homes
4. Vehicle repairers and lorry drivers (salaried)
5. Drivers, meat operators, freight forwarders, unloaders, logistics workers, delivery drivers
6. Cooks and waiters (salaried)
7. Cleaning staff in offices, hotels, and similar establishments
8. Systems analysts, graphic and multimedia designers, computer systems operations technicians, computer programmers (in the services sector)
9. Workers in the iron and steel industry, including electricians, refrigeration technicians, plumbers, sheet metal workers, boilermakers, and those involved in metal trade
10. Construction professionals, especially those with expertise in new systems, materials, and energy efficiency technologies (specialist professionals/officials)

Catalonia

Catalonia, located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, covers 32,108 km². Divided into four provinces – Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona – it had a population of 7,792,611 as of January 2022, with Barcelona being the most populous. Catalonia experienced a 0.38% population increase, and the foreign population constitutes 16.32% of the total. The regional GDP showed growth in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the service sector leading.

Jobs in Demand in Catalonia:

1. Waiters
2. Shop sales assistants
3. Health care assistants
4. Cooks
5. Heavy truck and lorry drivers
6. Call centre employees
7. Security guards
8. Teachers' aides
9. Cashiers and ticket clerks
10. Sales representatives

Valencia

Valencia, located in central-eastern Spain, comprises three provinces: Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia. With an area of 23,259 km², it has a population of 5,097,967 as of January 2022. Valencia's GDP ranks fourth in Spain, and its economy is diverse, with significant contributions from the service, construction, and industrial sectors.

Jobs in Demand in Valencia:

1. Hospital staff (specialised doctors, nurses, nursing assistants)
2. Protection and security service workers
3. Professional lorry drivers
4. Machine tool fitters and operators
5. Food processing machine operators
6. Shoemakers and related trades
7. Bricklayers and reinforced concrete workers
8. Plasterers and related trades
9. Data analysts
10. IT professionals (computer engineers, big data specialists, IT security experts, business intelligence experts)

Extremadura

Extremadura, situated in the south-west of Spain, is characterised by a sparsely populated region with a population of 1,054,776 as of January 2022. Despite being one of the largest regions, it contributes only 1.7% to the national GDP. The economy is primarily driven by the services sector, followed by industry, construction, and agriculture. The business community is dominated by micro-enterprises.

Jobs in Demand in Valencia:

1. Home-based personal care workers
2. Bus and tram drivers
3. Teachers’ aides
4. Travel guides
5. Social work associate professionals
6. Bricklayers and related workers
7. Nursing professionals
8. Cooks
9. Kitchen helpers
10. Renewable energy professionals (various roles)
11. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) professionals (data analysts, computer engineers, technicians in big data and IT security, experts in business intelligence and data mining)

Galicia

Galicia, in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, spans 29,574 km² with a population of 2,690,464. Contributing 5.24% to Spain's GDP, Galicia faces challenges of depopulation and an ageing population. Key economic sectors include textiles, automobile production, food distribution, and wood processing.

Jobs in Demand in Galicia:

1. Primary School Teachers
2. Social Work and Social Education Support Professionals
3. Child Care Workers in Nurseries and Educational Centers
4. Manufacturing Labourers
5. Forklift Operators

Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean, consist of islands like Mallorca and Ibiza. With a population of around 1.2 million, the economy, driven by tourism, grew by 10.7% in 2022.

Jobs in Demand in Balearic Islands:

1. Qualified machinery operators.
2. Clean energy installation experts.
3. Shortage of bricklayers, electricians, and construction technicians.
4. Qualified kitchen staff.
5. Receptionists.
6. Maintenance supervisors.
7. Drivers.
8. Language-specialised trade professionals.
9. Staff for residential establishments.
10. Doctors.
11. Specialised nurses and nursing assistants.
12. Systems and network analysts.
13. Software designers.
14. Programmers.
15. Digitalization and AI experts.

Autonomous Community of Madrid

The Autonomous Community of Madrid, situated in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, is a central economic and cultural hub. Covering 8,028 square kilometres and hosting 6,750,336 inhabitants, it holds the highest GDP per inhabitant in Spain. The region's economy is diverse, with a significant presence of companies across various sectors, particularly in services.

In-Demand Jobs in Madrid:

1. Skilled machinery operators.
2. Clean energy installation experts.
3. Shortage of bricklayers, electricians, and construction technicians.
4. Qualified professionals in retail and wholesale trade.
5. Real estate and construction professionals.
6. Legal and accounting experts.
7. Health and hospitality professionals.
8. Systems and network analysts.
9. Software designers.
10. Programmers.
11. Digitalisation and AI experts.
12. Cultural and artistic professionals.
13. Shop demonstrators.
14. Customer information service employees.
15. Broadcasting and visual audio recording technicians.
16. Nursing professionals.
17. Engineers.
18. Dependency care professionals.
19. Logistics and industry experts.

Murcia

The Region of Murcia, located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, is characterised by a diverse economy and a growing population. Covering 11,314 square kilometres with a population of 1,531,878, the region experienced a 0.88% increase in population in 2022. The economy, primarily driven by sectors like agriculture, food industry, construction, and services, saw a growth rate of 4.9% in 2022, with some challenges posed by drought and inflation.

In-Demand Jobs in Murcia:

1. Agronomists and related professionals.
2. Skilled workers in field crop growing.
3. Butchers and fishmongers.
4. Professionals in food processing.
5. Experts in renewable energy technologies.
6. Engineers in construction and civil engineering.
7. Carpenters and joiners.
8. Heavy truck drivers.
9. Bus and tram drivers.
10. Supply chain technicians.
11. Medical specialists and nursing professionals.
12. Commercial purchasing agents.
13. Waiters and cooks in the hotel industry.
14. Systems analysts.
15. Web and multimedia developers.
16. Database designers and administrators.
17. ICT user support technicians.
18. Robotisation and automation technicians.
19. Drone technicians.
20. STEM professionals.
21. Big data and blockchain technicians.
22. Data scientists.
23. Artificial intelligence architects.
24. E-commerce specialists.
25. Cybersecurity experts.

Navarre

Situated in the north of Spain, Navarre covers 10,391.08 km² and has a population of 664,117 as of January 1, 2022. The region experienced a 0.39% increase in population, reflecting a balanced gender distribution and a significant proportion of foreign residents, constituting 11.06% of the total population.

In-Demand Jobs in Navarre:

1. Specialist medical practitioners.
2. Nursing professionals.
3. Environmental and occupational health inspectors and associates.
4. Systems analysts.
5. Web and multimedia developers.
6. Accountants.
7. Waiters.
8. Kitchen helpers.
9. Food and related products machine operators.
10. Messengers, package deliverers, and luggage porters.
11. Forklift operators.
12. Lorry drivers.
13. Reinforced cement workers, plasterers, and related trades.
14. Carpenters and joiners.
15. Crane, hoist, and related plant operators.
16. Welders and flame cutters.
17. Machine tool setters and operators.
18. Mechanics and agricultural and industrial machinery repairers.
19. Technical engineers not elsewhere classified.

Basque Country

The Basque Country, located in the north of Spain, comprises three provinces: Araba/Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa. With a population of 2,208,174 as of January 1, 2022, it accounts for 4.65% of Spain's total population. The region experienced a 0.26% year-on-year decrease, and non-nationals make up 8.36% of the population. Known for its economic strength, the Basque Country maintained the second-highest GDP per capita in 2021.

In-Demand Jobs in the Basque Country:

1. Lorry drivers.
2. Logistics employees in transport.
3. Electricians.
4. Plumbers.
5. Bricklayers.
6. Industrial engineers.
7. Electronic and mechanical technicians.
8. Mechanics and repairers.
9. Welders and flame cutters.
10. Specialised nurses.
11. Specialist and family doctors.
12. Occupational and environmental health and hygiene professionals.
13. Professional waiters.
14. Cooks.
15. Health care assistants.
16. Fitness and recreation instructors and program leaders.
17. Personal carers in health services.
18. Teachers' aides.
19. Nursing professionals.

Rioja

La Rioja is a single-province Autonomous Community in northern Spain, bordered by Soria, Zaragoza, Navarra, Álava, and Burgos. It is the smallest autonomous community both in terms of size (5,045 km²) and population, with 319,892 inhabitants as of January 1, 2022, and a population density of 62 inhabitants per km². The region comprises 174 municipalities, with small and medium-sized enterprises playing a significant role in the local economy.

In-Demand Jobs in La Rioja:

1. Bartenders.
2. Nursing professionals.
3. Health care assistants.
4. Information and communications technology operations technicians.
5. Computer network and systems technicians.
6. Web technicians.
7. Heavy truck and lorry drivers.
8. Transport clerks.
9. Sewing, embroidery, and related workers.
10. Bricklayers and related workers.
11. Carpenters and joiners.
12. Cabinet-makers and related workers.
13. Plumbers and pipe installers.
14. Building and related trades workers.
15. Building and related electricians.
16. Field crop and vegetable growers.

Ceuta

The Autonomous City of Ceuta is a small territory on the African shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, covering an area of 19.48 km² and hosting a population of 83,117 as of January 1, 2022. Ceuta is characterised by a young population, with 39.14% under the age of 30. The active population in Ceuta was 42,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022, with 69.52% of them employed.

In-Demand Jobs in Ceuta:

1. Building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified.
2. Plumbers and pipe installers.
3. Painters and decorators.
4. Building and related electricians.
5. Butchers, fishmongers, and related food preparers.
6. Sheet-metal workers.
7. Bakers, pastry-cooks, and confectionery makers.
8. Butchers (Halal officer).
9. Hairdressers (barbers, men's hairdressers).
10. Specialist medical practitioners.

Melilla

Melilla is one of the two autonomous cities in Spain, located in North Africa. It has a surface area of 13.40 km² and a population of 85,170 people. The economy is primarily based on the services sector, contributing to 90.44% of Melilla's total GDP, followed by construction, industry, and agriculture.

In-Demand Jobs in Melilla:

1. Bricklayers
2. Plasterers
3. Welders and flame cutters
4. Stonemasons, stone cutters, splitters, and carvers
5. Roofers
6. Crane, hoist, and related plant operators
7. Salaried waiters
8. Salaried cooks
9. Bakers, pastry cooks, and confectioners
10. Heavy truck and lorry drivers, hand and pedal vehicle drivers
11. Shop sales assistants
12. Butchers, fishmongers, and related food preparers
13. Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers
14. Electrical mechanics and fitters
15. Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
16. Riggers and cable splicers
17. Medical specialists

Data sourced from the official EURES website.