Auto repair shops across Spain are short-staffed. With 20,000 mechanic jobs unfilled, many garages are turning customers away because they cannot keep pace with demand for repairs to conventional cars and newer electric models.
This is a persistent problem. Euromaster and Northius point to deeper causes: an aging workforce and too few new recruits. As older mechanics retire, there are not enough trained workers to replace them. The work is also changing, demanding more complex technical skills. A September 2026 report by PressDigital puts the number of open positions at around 20,000, a figure echoed in official labor market updates.
SEPE labor-market data show that basic technical roles in Spain remain vacant for extended periods, despite high overall unemployment.
The timing is especially tough. Spain's car market is shifting quickly, with electric and hybrid vehicles becoming more common, including plug-in models. These cars demand different skills, particularly in electronics and diagnostics, that many current mechanics lack and few newcomers are learning. The gap between repair shops' needs and the skills available in the labor market is growing. Labor market observers say vehicle electrification is widening it, since repairing electric and hybrid vehicles requires advanced technical knowledge.
To address the shortage, Euromaster and Northius have launched an accelerated training program. It is open to recent graduates and people from other fields seeking a career change. Unlike traditional vocational tracks, the course does not require a Formación Profesional diploma. Most of the curriculum is online and takes between one and two years to complete. Euromaster is also expanding recruitment and upskilling, with specialized high-voltage training delivered through digital modules.
The program includes at least 350 hours of theory, alongside technical modules developed by Euromaster. Students also complete 300 hours of hands-on practice in real workshops. They train within the Euromaster network and gain access to a job pool that includes Euromaster and other aftermarket companies.
SEPE has also reported persistent skilled-labor shortages across industry, including in logistics and construction, pointing to a broader challenge for Spain’s technical professions.
Boanerges Neto, general director of Euromaster, calls the shortage of qualified staff a structural threat to the Spanish market. He warns that without urgent action, the industry could lose its ability to serve drivers as new technology changes how people get around. Neto says focused, effective training can protect businesses and customers.
The impact extends beyond workshops. As a recent report notes, the cost and complexity of owning a car in Spain are already rising, leaving many young people unable to afford vehicles or licenses. If repair shops cannot find enough staff, the effects will spread through the transport system, from private drivers to commercial fleets.
For now, the new training partnership offers a practical path forward. By lowering entry barriers and focusing on relevant skills, it aims to attract a new generation of mechanics prepared to work on today's vehicles. Unless Spain fills these 20,000 jobs, the risk is not a lack of cars but too few people to keep them running.
