DR ‹ › Morocco has emerged as the main beneficiary of Spain's circular migration programs in 2025. Under the Collective Management of Recruitment at Origin (GECCO) scheme, a total of 25,767 migrants have been authorized to work in Spain this year, an increase of nearly 25% compared to 2024. According to Spanish authorities, Moroccan workers account for 81% of all hires, making Morocco by far the leading partner country. The vast majority of those recruited are women (92%), with an average age of 43, and are mainly employed in the agricultural sector, particularly in the province of Huelva, which hosts 84% of the workers. The strong performance of the program has led Spain, France, and Morocco to launch WAFIRA II, a new circular migration initiative that will support 3,000 Moroccan seasonal workers over the next 40 months, according to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration on Monday. Backed by the European Union, the program aims to better prepare participants before departure, enhance their work experience in Europe, and support their reintegration into Morocco through training and entrepreneurship. Spanish officials describe circular migration as a model that promotes orderly, regular, and safe migration, while generating economic benefits for both host countries and countries of origin.
