Spain’s monthly public-opinion poll, released by the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) on 14 October, shows that immigration has overtaken the economy to become the country’s second-most-cited problem (20.9 % of respondents, up 1.2 points). Housing remains top with a record 55.7 %, but analysts note the latest spike in irregular arrivals to Ceuta and the Canary Islands has pushed migration back up political agendas. The fieldwork, carried out 1–6 October, coincided with media coverage of ongoing returns from Ceuta and debates over emergency housing measures. The data suggest public tolerance for large-scale regularisation or expanded reception capacity may be limited ahead of the 29 November general election. For multinational employers engaged in talent-mobility programmes, the shift matters because immigration policy often tightens when it ranks high in voter concern. Although Spain introduced digital-nomad and start-up visas in 2023–24, renewal conditions or quotas could be reviewed by a future parliament seeking to appease sceptical voters. Mobility advisers recommend filing pending work-permit and family-reunification applications promptly and documenting economic contributions, as discourse may pivot from labour-market needs to social-service pressures. Companies should also prepare messaging on diversity and inclusion to mitigate workplace tensions if the campaign rhetoric intensifies.
Source: Europa Press
