10% of seasonal worker applications rejected for lacking Schengen entry/exit proof

The government spokesperson, Minister Guillem Casal, said this week that immigration authorities have rejected 10% of seasonal worker applications because they did not meet the new Entry/Exit requirements proving legal stays in the Schengen area. Casal stressed that, from the executive’s point of view, the regulatory change “is not a limitation” on hiring.

Of the roughly 5,000 permits available for the season, about 40% — roughly 2,000 — have been requested so far. Around 10% of those requests have been rejected for failing to meet the Schengen-stay criteria, leaving about 3,200 permits still available, according to the minister.

Casal noted the share of rejected applications has fallen since the rule was introduced: it was about 25% on 29 October, fell to 16% last week and is now at 10%. He also pointed out that this year’s take-up of the quota (40%) is slightly below the same point in 2024, when 45% of permits had been requested, and that other factors beyond the new requirement can affect application levels.

Addressing labour-market composition, Casal acknowledged a small rise in hiring of EU workers in some sectors but said the overall trend is broadly similar to last year and that there has not been an “exaggerated” increase. He noted it can be easier to recruit locally.

Finally, Casal confirmed that inspections of hotels and makeshift migrant lodgings began last week and are ongoing; authorities will produce an assessment once those checks are completed.