Spain Adopts Circular Migration Model While Ensuring the Rights of Moroccan Workers

The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration has approved a new regulatory decree called the Collective Management of Contracts from the Country of Origin (GECCO) 2026, aimed at organizing circular migration programs and facilitating the entry of Moroccan and foreign workers into the Spanish labor market while ensuring their social and professional rights.

The decree, published in the Spanish Official Gazette, provides an advanced legal framework for employment contracts between Spain and countries such as Morocco, ensuring the protection of workers’ fundamental rights.

Minister Elma Saiz confirmed that more than 25,000 seasonal workers arrived in Spain in 2025, a record number that highlights the importance of this type of migration in meeting labor market needs.

The decree includes two contract models: stable contracts and circular contracts, and it strengthens legal protections for workers through clear contract terms, obliges employers to provide adequate housing throughout the employment period, and establishes standardized procedures for managing employment contracts.

The decree stipulates the granting of work permits for up to four years, with a requirement for returning to the country of origin at the end of each work season, and also regulates renewal dates and working conditions to ensure greater flexibility and legal stability for workers.

The decree also highlights the “WAFIRA II” initiative, launched by the governments of Spain, France, and Morocco, aimed at empowering Moroccan seasonal female workers economically and socially within circular migration programs. The initiative has been expanded to include six countries to enhance employment opportunities and vocational training.

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