España cuenta con un 42% más de trabajadores europeos que hace una década

Labour mobility within the European Union has transformed the Spanish labour market. Today, almost 914,000 citizens from the European Economic Area are affiliated to Social Security, 42% more than a decade ago. This growth reflects, in the words of Minister Elma Saiz, “a European model of shared well-being, sustained by cooperation and solidarity”.

The Europe of Rights — which guarantees social benefits, pensions and health care beyond national borders — has centred the institutional event “Europe protects you”, organized by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration on the occasion of Europe Day. Minister Elma Saiz opened the day, highlighting the value of the instruments that allow us to build a fully European personal and professional life.

Previously, the Secretary of State for Social Security, Borja Suárez, and the Secretary General for Inclusion, Elena Rodríguez, participated in a discussion in which they analyzed the role of the European framework in social protection and inclusive policies.

“Europe is with us from birth until we retire. It is the Europe that cares, that protects, that allows to build a life without losing rights when crossing a border,” said Saiz.

The minister also stressed that, thanks to the Community regulations, it is possible to add years paid in different countries to access a full pension, without their contributory career being fragmented.

A protective network that crosses borders

The phenomenon of labour mobility within the Union has had a strong impact in Spain. According to the latest Social Security data, about 913,000 workers from the European Economic Area are today affiliated to the Spanish system, a talent that adds up and contributes to the sustainability of our pension system, “Young people, many of them highly qualified, who are actively contributing to the sustainability of the system.” These data reflect a Europe that, in the words of Saiz, “has made possible a protective network that crosses borders, a welfare model that is not only national, but shared.”

In addition, the minister has highlighted the role of Spain as a recipient country of young European talent: “Many of those who came to do an Erasmus decided to stay and work in our country.”

Technology at the service of well-being

For his part, the Secretary of State for Social Security and Pensions, Borja Suárez, focused his intervention on digital advances in rights management, highlighting the VIVESS application, developed by the National Institute of Social Security: “The VIVESS app has allowed more than 50,000 pensioners to prove their faith in life without the need for face-to-face procedures. In 2025, 41.7% of residents abroad opted for this digital route.”

The tool already allows you to also modify bank details and issue tax certificates without going to the consulate. He has received international recognitions such as the Certificate of Merit with Special Mention granted by the International Social Security Association, in addition to being a finalist in the CIO 100 Awards 2023 in the category of Innovation.

The head of Social Security has also stressed the consolidation of the system of mutual recognition of pensions. Currently, there are about 40,000 Spanish pensioners residing in the EU and 103,413 European pensioners from other countries residing in Spain. “It is no exception, it is a consolidated reality. European Social Security works and is at the service of everyone,” said Suárez.

More Europe, more equality

The event has also served to vindicate the advances in equality between men and women promoted from the European level. Minister Saiz recalled that Directive 79/7, which prohibits sex discrimination in Social Security, marked a before and an after. Today, Spain is leading its reform to adapt it to the new challenges:

The challenge in the European context is to close the gaps and achieve real equality. And this translates into concrete policies such as the gender gap supplement, explained Saiz, who added that, in just two years, almost half a million people have received this supplement, 94% women.

Another example of Europe in everyday life is the European Health Insurance Card, issued by the National Social Security Institute, which allows medical assistance to be received in any member country - also in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland - under the same conditions as national residents. Since 2016, 20.6 million TSEs have been issued in Spain, demonstrating their practical utility for those who study, work or travel in Europe.

An inclusive model for Europe

During the discussion, the Secretary General of Inclusion, Elena Rodríguez, highlighted the transformative role that European funds have had in promoting innovative policies to fight poverty and improve inclusive employment in Spain.

Rodríguez, has highlighted the EU’s drive for inclusion policies and the development of pioneering tools such as the Inclusion Policy Laboratory, linked to Minimum Vital Income. Funded with 200 million from the Recovery Plan, it has evaluated more than 30 pilot projects through randomized trials, generating a decalogue of recommendations to improve the effectiveness of social policies.

The Secretary General has announced that new funding channels for the Inclusion Policy Laboratory are being opened through the European Social Fund.

He also highlighted the creation of the Social Impact Fund (FIS), endowed with 400 million euros and managed by Cofides, which has already financed seven operations with actions throughout the country, supporting inclusive employment and social economy projects. “This public-private partnership model is key to meeting the challenges of the future,” he said.

In addition, the General Secretariat for Inclusion is working with third sector entities to disseminate the Laboratory as an effective poverty eradication strategy. “We will do so within the framework of the future European Anti-Poverty Strategy, which will be approved by the European Commission at the end of this 2025 or early 2026,” said Rodríguez.

Spanish commitment to social Europe

The institutional act has also served to vindicate the role of Spain as the promoter of a more cohesive and fair Europe. “We have not been passive actors. From here we have led key advances in social rights, equality and public innovation,” said Saiz.

The minister concluded with a call to consolidate a strong social Europe: “We must not go back on the labor and social rights that have been achieved in recent decades. These 40 years have shown, precisely, that economic growth can go hand in hand with growth in rights. In Spain, we are clear about this and we are proving it”.