Rabat – Moroccan nationals dominated Spain’s seasonal labor recruitment in 2025, accounting for more than four out of every five workers hired under the country’s recruitment-at-origin mechanism.
Newly released data from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration show a total of 25,767 foreign workers were recruited last year through the Gecco program, a system introduced in 2000 that allows workers to receive both residence and work permits before leaving their home countries.
The 2025 intake marks the highest figure recorded since the program’s launch and represents an increase of roughly a quarter compared to 2024 levels.
Participants in the scheme came from 17 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
While several countries were represented, Morocco clearly led the rankings, far ahead of Colombia, which supplied 13% of the workforce, and Honduras, with 4%.
Other participating countries included Mauritania, Senegal, India, Mexico, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.
Seasonal agricultural work continued to drive demand, with farms absorbing the bulk of recruited labor.
Women made up the vast majority of workers, representing 92% of all recruits, while the average age stood at 43 years old.
In terms of regional distribution, workers were deployed across 21 Spanish provinces.
Huelva emerged as the main destination, hosting 84% of the recruits, largely due to its intensive agricultural activity and long-standing dependence on seasonal migrant labor.
Spanish authorities said a new Gecco ordinance for 2026 is currently being finalized.
The updated framework is expected to define recruitment conditions and shape Spain’s circular migration strategy for the coming year.