In the 1990s and early to mid-2000s, an economic boom sparked a surge of immigration to Spain. Many newcomers quickly found jobs in areas like construction and domestic services, and as a result, the boom became a disincentive to investing in large-scale, coordinated labor market integration efforts. When the economic crisis of 2008 disproportionately hit those in temporary and informal work, including many immigrants, it revealed the underlying gaps in the policy framework meant to support labor market integration in Spain.

This report examines how well recent policies are working to fill these gaps to help immigrants move into more stable work. It provides an overview of the labor market and integration policy in Spain and assesses the effectiveness of these policies, focusing on employment services, language education, and vocational training. Finally, the report concludes with recommendations for further policy refinement, including improved recognition of foreign credentials and easier access to employment services and training.