The presence of foreign women in Spain increases year after year and their role is key for both the economy and the demographic balance of the country. According to data from the Permanent Immigration Observatory (OPI), dependent on the Secretary of State for Migration, 3,581,558 women had valid residence documentation in Spain as of September 30, 2025, which is practically half of the total documented foreign population. In percentage terms, women represent 48% of the total number of foreign people with valid residency in the country. Of these, 41% come from European Union countries, which is equivalent to 1,459,397 women. The largest group corresponds to women from Romania, with 531,041 residents. Following them are those of Moroccan nationality, with 414,171, and in third place the Italians, who total 227,886. This migration map reflects the historical dynamics of mobility within Europe and also the importance of migration flows from North Africa and Latin America. Regarding the geographical distribution of these women in our country, 68% are concentrated in four autonomous communities: Catalonia, with 21% of the total; Madrid, with 17%, and Andalusia and the Valencian Community with 15% each. These regions stand out for their economic dynamism and their capacity to absorb employment in key sectors such as services, care, tourism or agriculture, the report states.
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The integration process is also reflected in access to Spanish nationality. Between 2015 and 2024, just over 724,000 women obtained nationality through residency, representing 55% of the total number of people naturalized through this route. This data highlights the growing weight of women in social and administrative integration processes in Spain.
A key contribution to the labor market
One of the most outstanding aspects of the Permanent Immigration Observatory’s report is the contribution of foreign women to the labor market. Social Security affiliation data for January 2026 record 1,294,259 foreign women affiliated, which represents 43% of the total number of foreign people registered in the system. According to the report, this data “consolidates the structural weight of female migrant employment in the Spanish labor market and demonstrates its growing contribution to the sustainability of the social protection system.”Its authors emphasize that the volume of foreign female affiliation “confirms its strategic role and its contribution is especially relevant in a context of demographic aging and the need for generational reinforcement, contributing directly to the balance and sustainability of Social Security”.
By regions of origin, women from Central and South America are the largest group, with 504,023 affiliates, representing 39% of the total number of foreign women affiliates. They are followed by those from countries of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, with 427,664 affiliates, i.e., 33%.
If analyzed by specific nationalities, Romanian women once again lead the ranking, representing 12% of the total affiliates. They are followed by Colombians (9%) and, with 8% each, Venezuelans and Moroccans.
Regarding labor regimes, the General Regime concentrates 70% of foreign affiliates, which represents 42% of the total number of foreign people included in this contribution model. ‘Authorized’ to study In addition to the work environment, the OPI report highlights the growing presence of migrant women in the Spanish educational and university system. The data reflects an upward trend in residence permits for studies. Specifically, the latest statistics published by the Observatory show a 92% increase in permits granted to women between 2014 and 2024. As of September 30, 2025, 29,107 foreign women held a valid study stay permit, representing 52% of the total number of people with this type of permit. Most of these students are young. 29% are between 20 and 29 years old, a key stage for university or postgraduate studies. By nationalities, the foreign female students with the greatest presence in Spain come mainly from Latin America. Colombian students top the list, representing 14% of the total number of women with study permits. They are followed by Peruvian students (10%), Chinese students (7%) and, with 6% each, women from Morocco, the United States, Mexico and Ecuador. Regarding their geographical distribution, foreign students concentrate in the main university cities of the country. The provinces with the largest presence are Madrid, with 33%; Barcelona, with 20%, and Valencia, with 12%. Source: INFOBAE.
