Spain’s Construction Labour Market Is Growing — and Freelancers Are Essential
Spain’s labour market continues to show strong momentum. According to the Spanish Government, Social Security contributors exceeded 21.6 million in June 2025, approaching a historic high of 22 million workers. This sustained growth reflects a more resilient and stable employment landscape across the economy.
One of the standout sectors is construction, where employment has grown by around 4.7% year-on-year, outperforming many other industries. As construction remains a key driver of Spain’s economic development, this increase highlights renewed activity and demand for skilled labour.
However, the sector also faces challenges, including labour shortages and an aging workforce. To maintain growth and meet project demand, flexibility in workforce planning has become increasingly important.
This is where freelancers and self-employed professionals (autónomos) play a vital role. With more than 3.4 million self-employed contributors in Spain, freelancers provide construction companies with the agility they need to scale teams, access specialized skills, and manage project-based workloads efficiently.
Freelancers help bridge gaps in the permanent workforce, support regional mobility, and bring expertise that is essential for modern construction projects. As Spain’s labour market continues to expand, the integration of freelance professionals will be key to ensuring that growth in the construction sector remains sustainable and competitive.