This week, in a significant move that could reshape Spain’s labour and tourism landscape, the Spanish government has officially granted the Basque Country the power to handle its own work permits for foreign workers. This decision follows a similar transfer of immigration powers to Catalonia and marks a growing shift towards regionalised immigration policies in Spain.
Beyond its political implications, this change carries major consequences for tourism, employment, and economic development - especially for seasonal workers, travel industry professionals, and businesses operating within the region. Many Mallorca businesses are frustrated by the lengthy and costly process of employing people from the UK for the season and are hoping that the UK opens up its Youth Mobility Scheme and the Freedom of Movement.
Traditionally scores of Britons used to head to Mallorca for the summer seasons but since Brexit it has become increasingly complicated. So, if the Basque Country and Catalonia can be granted the powers to manage the situation themselves, why does not the Balearics ask for similar treatment?
By handing immigration authority to the Basque Country, Spain is opening new opportunities for foreign workers, tourism businesses, and travel industry professionals. As tourism continues to grow, these regional immigration reforms will play a crucial role in shaping Spain’s travel industry, workforce, and global competitiveness. For businesses and professionals in the travel, tourism, and technology sectors, now is the time to adapt, explore, and embrace these new changes.
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James TThis is because to employ here in Spain on a full time contract it cost the employee a small fortune every month on top of the wages paid. So they want one crazy person running around doing a job for two people, to keep the cost down. It's not just lack of people to work. The incentive to employ is low because it costs so much in taxes and the employee after 30 days work has so many rights. The Spanish system is broken.
It's the cost of living, the cost of rent, the cost of employment for the restaurant. A generation of people who don't want to work.The list goes on, it's very little to do with Brexit.
I know of many restaurants that are demanding a 50-55 hour working week with no holiday entitlement and sometimes split shifts... No wonder they can't find staff!
I work for a German master carpenter here. He tells me about a number of German carpenters he knows who would like to come here to work for him, but wont because there is no where for them to stay, especially anywhere that is affordable.
Once again. Problem in not to get workers here if they have place to stay. Britons are not a solution. They face same problemnas spanish workers. No housing.