According to Statista, there are around 3. 2 million self-employed workers in Spain. People registered as “self-employed” in Spain represent around 16% of the population and it is estimated that around a third of them are self-employed professionals who are engaged in the fields of technology consulting, marketing and control.
The UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO) points out that the Spanish sector surpasses the Spanish sector in services, due to lack of delivery, responsibilities and transport. However, there is sufficient evidence to recommend that occupational categories of self-employment are expanding as a percentage of total self-employment. and concert work and have increased especially after Covid.
The WEF, for example, is committed to Spanish expansion in generation and marketing services, as well as to the development of independent control consultancy activity. As analysed by the EGF in a recent report, gaps between source and demand in must-have skills such as AI are also leading to an increase in the use of autonomous staff across the EU.
With the help of Ana Kramarenko, Chief Marketing Officer at Outvise, one of Spain’s leading independent control consulting platforms, it seemed timely to share the perspectives of Spanish freelance market leaders on the state and speed of freelancing in Spain. Overall, freelancers are positive about the long-term of freelancing, whether inside or outside Spanish industry, as the capacity of freelancers is exported through remote jobs to countries around the world. But while progress appears to be positive overall, thanks to more favorable legislation, one CEO highlighted the need for a cultural shift in control practices to allow self-employment to gain traction in the world of work.
Here’s what the leaders had to say:
How do you see the freelance revolution progressing in Spain?What is your expansion forecast for 2024?What are the spaces that generate the most interest and activity as a Spanish freelancer?
Eusebi Llensa, CEO of Outvise. com. ” By 2030, there will be a shortage of 85 million tech staff worldwide and countries like Spain (with tech salaries 40% less expensive than major competing tech hubs) are a source of staff available for Skillability. La high-end indie skillability in Spain is on the rise. We are experiencing solid growth, focused on enterprise technology, with an established presence in Germany, Spain and the Middle East, where technological transformation is creating massive demand for the experience we offer. We are looking globally. From Barcelona, through our local presence in Dubai and selected partners, we help connect freelancers to the most productive opportunities while getting rid of bureaucracy.
Jaime Castillo, co-founder of Shakers (Shakerspaintingss. com). In Spain, the presence of self-employed workers is becoming more and more pronounced. At Shakers we call them “loose staff”, experienced professionals who want to work independently on assignments that align with their values and where they can make a difference. through their contributions. The revolution is unstoppable with an expansion linked to the “digital transformation” and the commitment to remote and hybrid groups with a great capacity for innovation and execution of orders. Many Spanish giant corporations are facing demanding situations that require quick solutions and loose staff will be key to accelerating those demanding situations and making a difference in 2024. At Shakers, we’re improving our platform and making a strong commitment to connecting businesses with freelance professionals who can take their businesses to the next level.
Jacobo Bermúdez De Castro, Managing Director of Malt. com Spain. “Spanish companies are increasingly recognising the value of freelancers and are looking to the freelancer markets for an optimal way to tap into this huge pool of skills. This update reflects a positive view of the evolution of self-employed professionals in Spain. As Spanish companies adopt the freelancer’s perspective, the nature of conversations with our clients has evolved dramatically. It’s no longer about hiring individual freelancers for one-off projects, but rather a strategic shift towards integrating freelancers into the core business model. Spanish corporations are asking: “How do we build a strategy around the self-employed in our company?Increasingly, procurement, HR, and recruiting leaders are coming up with skills control methods that incorporate freelancers. Although it’s still in its infancy, it’s a positive sign. The categories of Information Technology (IT) and Data Science, Consulting, Design and Marketing generate maximum enthusiasm and engagement among our freelancers and clients.
Sandra Arévalo, co-founder of Wisar. pro. Despite the increased interest of painters in exploring more flexible working hours through self-employment, local laws and corporate culture still want to evolve to drive meaningful substitution in Spain. After the benefits of post-COVID hybrid programs, many companies are focusing their efforts on implementing hybrid programs. “Workers are going back to full-time. If this trend continues in 2024, Spanish corporations want to move towards a true virtual transformation and be more willing to adapt to flexible operating schemes that incorporate more self-employment. “
Juan Francisco Mejía Betancourt, CEO of Wokiconsulting. com. Spain is the gateway to Latin America from Europe and, at the same time, it is the gateway to the outside of the region. Spanish investment and industry in Latin America in 2023 will grow much more than in previous years. Wonderful opportunity for freelancing platforms, as corporations look for opportunities in this region and need to be more effective with their external talent. Areas such as virtual transformation, control and strategy, sustainability, and foreign industry are spaces where we are seeing strong expansion and where it can have an impact.
Arnaud Sourisseau, Founder and Ignacio Marinas, Partner Onemanaid. com (Spain). “The freelance work scene has experienced a notable expansion in Spain in recent times, reflecting the global trend of professionals seeking independence and flexibility, although its progression is much lower than in other European countries. In recent years, Spain has noticed an increase in the number of self-employed painters, with around 3 million people working on their own. This expansion can be attributed to the rise of virtual platforms like ours, which increase connectivity and convert painting preferences. The Spanish government has also taken measures to help the self-employed, such as simplifying tax rules and access to social security benefits. The self-employment panorama in Spain is set to accelerate its expansion in the coming years. Freelancing platforms are very likely to grow, and hybrid models that combine in-house and freelancing skills may gain popularity and importance. The main areas of interest of the Spanish independent sector are virtual services, knowledge analytics, IT help, consulting, healthcare and sustainable industries. In particular, the picture is expected to multiply for highly professional freelancers with specialized experience. These professionals, with complex qualifications and experience, are able to meet the growing demand for premium independent services.
Ignacio (Iggy) García León, CEO Squad. xyz. Many tech freelancers, especially from Venezuela and Argentina, are relocating to Spain in search of a better quality of life while working remotely. They share an unusual linguistic and cultural affinity and appreciate Spain’s relative political stability. An example: a self-employed Venezuelan who performs tasks founded in the United States and earns $140,000 a year, which allows him to live comfortably in Spain. More and more Spaniards are taking notice of lucrative self-employment opportunities for U. S. -founded corporations, and talented Spaniards are increasingly likely to get high-paying, jobs. Technology Assignment Contracts. Spanish freelancers are also starting to gain equity and cash. This trend is made imaginable through blockchain technology, with crypto-native corporations and DAOs employing tokens that resemble stocks. Many independents on our network choose to pay in classic currency (dollars, euros, stablecoins) and task-specific crypto tokens.
There is a widespread opinion that independent Spanish netpainting is developing globally and expanding the experience it offers. Remote painting opportunities in the United States offer monetary and other benefits. As the reputation for excellence grows, Spanish freelancers are increasingly sought after in neighbouring countries and regions, such as the Middle East, where Outvise and others describe significant opportunities. Several CEOs also highlighted the positive effect of hybrid and remote work arrangements on the expansion of freelancing.
Of course, Spain and Spanish self-employment offer much more than economic opportunities, as Luis Suárez, co-founder of Asynco, a stealth startup, points out. He has the final say on the expansion of self-employment in Spain:
“Spain may not have a sufficient percentage of self-employed workers, but the prospects for expansion are enormous. The amazing telecommunications networks, the generous infrastructure to get anywhere and anywhere, the overall quality of life, the open and friendly service, the culture, the welcoming people, the food, the flexibility and the freedom to slow down are wonderful opportunities to realize what Spain has to offer to all the freelancers of wisdom (web). Adventure, Spain is what you need. Today. “
Long the revolution!