Streamlined Hiring Process for Moroccan Workers
Spain has recently introduced a revolutionary system aimed at expediting the recruitment of Moroccan workers in sectors facing labor shortages, notably in agriculture and transport. This initiative allows Spanish companies to submit collective applications entirely online for groups of at least ten Moroccan workers, thereby significantly reducing bureaucratic delays. A notable feature of this new framework is the automatic enrollment of these workers in the Social Security system, which can occur even before their physical arrival in Spain. This development is expected to address the pressing need for labor in vital industries while ensuring compliance with labor regulations.
Key Features of the New Hiring Framework
The Spanish government has initiated this new hiring strategy through the GECCO 2026 Order, which stands for the Collective Management of Recruitment at Origin. This regulation was officially published in the State Official Bulletin on December 30, 2025, and became effective immediately in 2026. This new system signifies a substantial shift from previous recruitment campaigns, aligning with the recently approved Immigration Regulation of 2025. By simplifying administrative processes and enhancing legal security, this framework allows companies to urgently recruit foreign workers. A cornerstone of this model is the establishment of a swift and largely automated channel for hiring employees located in Morocco.
Companies operating in sectors struggling to find labor can now submit collective applications for simultaneous recruitment of at least ten workers. The entire procedure is conducted online. Initially, companies must demonstrate a lack of available personnel in Spain through a catalog of hard-to-fill positions. Following this, they can present a collective job offer processed through a digital portal directly connected to ANAPEC, the Moroccan public employment service responsible for pre-selecting candidates. Once the profiles are validated by Spanish immigration offices, consulates issue multi-year visas, enabling workers to travel to Spain for multiple consecutive campaigns.
One of the most significant improvements is that the registration with the Social Security system can now be completed automatically and interlinked even before the workers arrive in Spain, eliminating the weeks of bureaucratic waiting that previously delayed contract commencement. This agreement is particularly focused on bolstering two strategic sectors: agriculture and transport. In the agricultural sector, Morocco accounts for a staggering 81% of all workers arriving in Spain through the GECCO Order, with over 20,000 employees annually engaged in seasonal tasks like berry picking.
Moreover, companies are mandated to provide adequate and free accommodation for the workers, ensuring that their wages align with either the relevant collective agreements or the national minimum wage. The transport sector is another major beneficiary of this initiative, as Spain currently faces a shortage of over 20,000 professional drivers. To address this, the government has relaxed the validation process for Moroccan driving licenses, allowing truck drivers and other transport workers from Morocco to bypass the theoretical exam in Spain and only complete the practical examination along with obtaining the Professional Aptitude Certificate (CAP).
This innovative approach aims to establish a model of circular migration: workers enter Spain with a contract, fulfill their roles during the agreed campaign, and return to Morocco with the prospect of returning for future seasons without having to navigate the entire administrative process again.
As reported by elespanol.com.
