The extraordinary regularization of foreign nationals has had a notable impact in Berguedà, bringing Social Security affiliations close to an all-time high. In July, 17,095 workers were contributing to companies in the region.
This increase is largely due to many foreigners, who previously could not work legally or worked off the books, now being able to contribute. In July, there were 2,265 foreign workers affiliated, 405 more than the previous year, representing a 22% increase.
Berguedà ranks as the fourth region in Catalonia with the highest annual increase in foreign contributions, surpassed only by Alt Urgell, Aran, and Ribera d'Ebre. Growth is particularly notable among workers from South America, the Maghreb, and Europe.
The integration of foreign workers has also rejuvenated and feminized the regional labor market. A historic record of 3,190 workers under 30 years old has been registered, and the number of contributing women has increased by 210, reaching 7,765.
The extraordinary regularization, approved by the Spanish government, grants a one-year residency and work permit to irregular migrants who arrived before January 1, 2026, and can prove five months of continuous stay. This measure has benefited 1.2 million people in Spain and 257,000 in Catalonia.
