Foreign entrepreneurs save small business: 7 out of 10 new companies in Valencia are thanks to immigrants
New figures for 2025 confirm the key role of foreigners in the Spanish economy. In the Valencian Community, migrants are behind the majority of new economic activity, contributing millions of euros to the social security system
Behind the newly opened hair salon in your neighborhood, or the bar that changed hands after the previous one retired, there are increasingly people who have come to Spain to start a new life. Statistics from the end of 2025 leave no doubt: foreign entrepreneurs (autónomos) are sustaining self-employment in the Valencia region.
According to data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, as many as seven out of ten new registrations last year were made by foreigners.
Key cash injection for the system
The Union of Professionals and Self-Employed Workers (UPTA) stresses that immigrants have become a decisive factor for the sustainability of the economic system and the stability of Spain's Social Security (Seguridad Social).
The numbers speak for themselves:
- The Valencia region saw a net increase of 9,171 foreign entrepreneurs.
- This represents 74% of the total increase in the number of self-employed in the region (12,331 people) in 2025.
- It is estimated that each new registration brings an average of more than 3,500 euros per year in premiums.
This means that in the Valencian Community alone, new foreign entrepreneurs have paid more than 32 million euros into the system.
"This growth has helped to compensate for stagnation among domestic entrepreneurs, strengthening the system's contributory base." - UPTA experts point out.
Where do they invest and where do they come from?
Foreign entrepreneurs most often choose sectors such as small trade, hospitality, construction and services.
In terms of origin, the data shows a clear advantage for those outside the European Union. In Valencia, out of more than 9,000 new companies, as many as 6,271 were founded by non-EU citizens, while 2,900 were EU citizens.
Most entrepreneurial groups (nationwide data):
| Area | Dominant countries |
|---|---|
| European Union | Romania, Italy, Germany, France |
| From outside the EU | China, Morocco, United Kingdom |
| Latin America | Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina |
| Other | Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine |
China, Romania and Italy remain on the podium of countries whose citizens are most likely to start their own companies in Spain.
Pillar of the economy, not the margin
Eduardo Abad, president of UPTA Spain, strongly emphasizes the role of migrants in the economy. According to him, without their contribution, the pension and insurance system would be in a critical situation.
"Those who question immigration should analyze the statistics. Without the contribution of foreign self-employed, the RETA system would be going backwards, and Social Security would be in a much more difficult situation. We are not talking about a marginal contribution, but a fundamental pillar of our country's economy." - Abad concludes.
This trend appears to be sustainable. In the past four years alone, the number of foreign entrepreneurs in the Valencian Community has increased by more than 26,000, confirming that the region remains an attractive destination for international business.
