International talent in Spain: opportunities and growth
Right now, professionals around the world are more connected than ever. A few years ago, our professional careers could be limited by physical boundaries: working abroad was reserved for a few adventurous souls. Today, homeworking and mobility have broken down those barriers. Thanks to this, many professionals have been able to develop their careers outside their countries of origin, and in this context, Spain is one of the favourite destinations for international talent.
Spain as a destination for international talent: advantages and opportunities
The quality of life, climate and culture are some of the attractions of this country. Thanks to a working environment that encourages international mobility and home working, many people who have discovered Spain have the opportunity to settle here to continue their professional careers and contribute to the development of the region.
Digitalisation, technology hubs, the start-up ecosystem, the rise of the tech industry and major employers such as Iberdrola España, have created a space with unique opportunities for those who want to start a business or join the labour market there. But what makes Spain an attractive place for international talent and how does this impact the country?
Factors explaining the arrival of international talent in Spain
Five Spanish cities are ranked among the most desirable and advantageous places to work: Barcelona (6th), Madrid (8th), Valencia (19th), Bilbao (21st) and Malaga (24th), according to Startup Heatmap Europe 2025.
It is no coincidence that they are among the top cities, as they have plenty of characteristics that make them attractive to international talent. Some of these are:
The role of international talent in the country's technological development
The technology sector in Spain is currently growing. This industry is a major source of investment, revenue and employment in the country. But its development faces an obstacle: the technology talent gap, caused by the brain drain and the lack of qualified profiles, which could slow down the sector's progress. Spain needs highly qualified professionals in areas such as cybersecurity, AI development and machine learning to move forward.
In this scenario, international talent plays a key role. It is necessary to fill the technological talent gap in Spain and to boost the sector. What’s more, these professionals add value to the companies they join, contributing their international experience to strengthen ties with other countries, providing a different perspective and adding to diversity, which is often the source of ideas and innovation.
The move towards a digital economy is redefining business models, and international talent is helping to drive this transformation. With the digitisation of traditional sectors and the growth of new models, Spanish companies need experts to drive technological development and other sectors.
How the Spanish energy sector drives innovation and attracts qualified talent
The Spanish energy sector plays an important role in the country's digital transformation and in attracting international talent, especially in key areas such as network digitisation, energy storage and the modernisation of the energy system.
At companies such as Iberdrola España we are driving this transition, creating new job opportunities and contributing to the development of a more technological and sustainable economy.
To make this possible, Spain will need to recruit between 2,400 and 3,400 new professionals to achieve the energy transition, according to the report "Europe: Forecasts in a conflict scenario", produced by the Institute of Employment Sciences and Labour Relations. It is estimated that to achieve the energy transition, solar and wind energy engineers will be needed, as well as professionals in marketing, strategy, analysis, sustainability and regulatory compliance.
Of all these profiles the most difficult to fill are those specialising in energy storage, advanced data analysts and blockchain, and hybrid profiles that combine technical knowledge with sustainability. This is due to the high level of specialisation and skills required to take on these positions.
Iberdrola España as part of the innovative ecosystem that attracts global talent
At Iberdrola España our commitments and projects position the country as a destination for international talent that drives transformation.
We are the second company with the greatest capacity to attract and retain talent in Spain and the first in the energy, gas and water sector, according to the Merco Talento ranking. Our commitment to work-life balance, equality and diversity has a positive impact on the satisfaction and commitment of our teams.
Our projects, such as the installation of the first public MCS charger for heavy vehicles in southern Europe, the installation of new storage batteries in different provinces of Spain, the construction of the Alcántara II reversible hydroelectric pumping station and the repowering of wind farms, are just a few examples of how we are committed to innovation and, along with it, the best talent to mobilise the future of a greener energy sector.
At Iberdrola España we are also working with technology start-ups and in the creation of an innovation ecosystem within the energy sector. We invest in projects and participate in start-up incubators and accelerators, promoting technological entrepreneurship and growth in the sector.
Thanks to our vision of the future, innovation and commitment to sustainability we have positioned ourselves as one of the companies that plays an active role in an innovative ecosystem in Spain that attracts global talent. Our focus on digitalisation, renewable energies and technological transformation creates the perfect environment for the development of skilled employment and the promotion of projects that are changing the way energy is managed and consumed around the world.
