Euskadi Strengthens Support for Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship with Comprehensive Strategy
Euskadi's government enhances its strategy to support self-employed workers and entrepreneurship, fostering economic growth with robust policies and collaboration.
- • Euskadi has 119 self-employed per 1,000 inhabitants, above the national average of 107.
- • Self-employment represents 16.9% of total employment in Euskadi, higher than Spain's 16.5%.
- • A comprehensive support strategy includes workforce analysis, health training, sector representation, and entrepreneurship funding.
- • The government allocated €5.88 million for new business initiatives in 2024, focusing on youth and unemployed individuals.
Key details
Mikel Torres, the Vice President and Minister of Economy, Labor, and Employment of Euskadi, has emphasized the Basque Country’s commitment to fostering a more digital, educated, and sustainable self-employment sector alongside a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. As of October 2025, Euskadi boasts 119 self-employed individuals per 1,000 inhabitants, exceeding the national average of 107. Self-employment accounts for 16.9% of total employment in the region, also higher than the Spanish average of 16.5%.
Torres highlighted the region’s economic progress, with over one million Social Security contributors and an unemployment rate below 7%. He underscored the Basque labor market's shift toward more stable jobs with improved labor rights, facilitated by enhancements in salaried employment and measures against false self-employment, including labor inspections and the Rider Law.
To bolster this dynamic sector, the Department of Economy, Labor, and Employment has launched a comprehensive strategy built on four pillars: detailed analysis of the self-employed workforce to guide public policy; occupational health and safety training via online courses; strengthening sector representation through support to intersectoral associations; and promoting entrepreneurship by allocating 5.88 million euros in 2024 to finance new business projects, especially targeting youth and the unemployed.
Furthermore, the department stresses collaboration with local governments, chambers of commerce, and organizations such as Gaztenpresa to cultivate an innovative and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Torres affirmed that Euskadi is progressing toward a modern, digitally savvy, and competitive productive model, committed to quality employment and equal opportunities for all generations.
“No employment is being destroyed; rights are being gained,” Torres stated, highlighting the government’s focus on improving working conditions while nurturing entrepreneurship.
This holistic approach aims to maintain Euskadi’s role as a leading economic region in Spain by continuously adapting policies to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and quality job creation.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.