Lanzarote's labor market has intensified the incorporation of foreign workers in 2026. Between January and October, a total of 19,352 contracts for foreign individuals were formalized on the island, representing an increase of 19.6% compared to the 16,178 agreements recorded in the same period last year.
This amounts to 3,174 more labor registrations in just ten months, according to statistics from the Canary Islands Employment Observatory (OBECAN) compiled by the Island Council's Data Center.
This growth is attributed to both the pressing need for labor in sectors that have historically been overshadowed by tourism —with a record in construction— as well as reforms to the immigration framework and regularization mechanisms based on roots promoted by the central government.
The streamlining of procedures and the flexibility of hiring requirements have not only facilitated new incorporations but have also allowed thousands of workers, who were already residing and working precariously on the island, to emerge into the formal economy.
While between January and May 2026 the figures were almost identical to those of 2025 (7,649 contracts versus 7,774), the market experienced a strong acceleration from June onwards, with year-on-year increases exceeding 50% in the central months and a jump of 46.3% in October (2,568 contracts in a single month).
Construction doubles its figures and tourism remains stable
Although hospitality remains the activity with the greatest weight in net volume —absorbing 11,891 contracts up to October, 12.1% more than the 10,609 from the previous year—, the sector that has driven the true quantitative shift is construction.
The construction industry more than doubled its volume of foreign hiring, going from 735 agreements between January and October 2025 to 1,541 in 2026 (+109.7%). This surge highlights the high demand for workers to undertake renovations in accommodation facilities, residential construction, and public works amidst a severe shortage of local labor. Meanwhile, commerce grew by 23.8% (1,839 contracts) and other services advanced by 18.3% (3,599 agreements).
Ibero-America accounts for nine out of every ten new contracts for foreign individuals
The channeling of these regularization processes has had a clear socio-demographic reflection: workers originating from Ibero-America signed 10,428 contracts so far in 2026 compared to 7,522 in the same period of the previous year. This increase of 2,906 contracts (+38.6%) alone explains 91.5% of the entire net growth of foreign employment in Lanzarote.
In this way, Ibero-American citizens now account for 53.9% of all hirings of foreigners registered on the island, consolidating a shift from the traditional community workforce. Contracts signed by citizens from the European Economic Area decreased by 8.8% (from 3,109 to 2,835) and those from wider Europe fell by 27.8%, conditioned by the rising cost of housing and the island's cost of living. Meanwhile, hires of people from Africa increased by 15.3% (4,042 signings) and those from Asia rose by 37.3% (1,197 contracts).
Arrecife equals tourist giants
In municipal distribution, Arrecife stands out as the main labor absorption hub in 2026. The island's capital recorded a 41% increase, going from 3,667 contracts in 2025 to 5,171 in 2026, driven by the confluence of construction, auxiliary service companies, and commerce.
With this record, the capital practically matches the benchmark tourist municipalities in total volume of foreign hirings: Tías (5,294 contracts, +16.0%) and Yaiza (5,069 contracts, +16.6%). Further behind are Teguise (2,243 contracts, +2.0%), San Bartolomé (1,014 contracts, +21.6%), Tinajo (360 contracts, +74.8%), and Haría (201 contracts, -44.3%).
By age group and sex, demand was concentrated mainly in the 25 to 44 years bracket, with 10,776 contracts (+26%), and in the male group (+24.7%, with 11,057 signings compared to 8,295 for women), a bias attributable to the specific weight achieved by construction and work crews during this year.
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