Madrid will set the stage for the fourth edition of Global Mobility Call (GMC) from June 9-11, 2026, hosted at IFEMA. This event marks a moment for Spain, positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable corporate mobility. IFEMA Madrid, Spain’s Ministry of Transport, and many of the sector’s most influential groups are at the core of GMC’s organization. More than 300 speakers and over 500 exhibitors will gather, promising a rich panorama of discussions from visa-free travel corridors, AI-infused fleet management, and cross-border rail initiatives, to deep dives into vital upcoming changes such as the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS travel authorization for Europe.
As management consultants at EWS Limited, we know that, for global mobility managers and HR leaders, GMC 2026 is more than a calendar mark. It is a chance to meet Spanish government authorities, preview anticipated adjustments to Digital-Nomad and Highly-Skilled Worker visas, review compliance steps directly with those drafting policy, and listen to household giants like Iberdrola, Inditex, and Airbus.
We have watched Spain steadily rise as a mobility innovator. In the coming edition, GMC stands out not only for its size, but also for how it puts Madrid at the center of a continent-wide transformation. IFEMA Madrid’s collaboration with Spain’s Ministry of Transport and top industry forums ensures that the event covers all leading themes and practicalities in people movement and corporate growth.
What can we expect on the ground? The exhibition space will pulse with new technology. AI-driven solutions for travel and work arrangements line up beside initiatives like high-speed cross-border rails and airport innovations. But with more than 300 voices and 500 exhibits, it’s not just about the future. It’s about conversations happening now—decisions being made for moving teams, opening offices, and unlocking new opportunities in Spain and across Europe.
GMC 2026 turns Madrid into the gateway for anyone managing international teams.
We see something special in the lineup. IFEMA Madrid’s logistical might, the Ministry of Transport’s regulatory insight, and leading industry partnerships create a platform where public and private meet. This means rare access for businesses, with policy-makers sharing stage time with mobility managers, IT and HR leaders, and senior decision-makers.
For mobility managers, this translates into a singular opportunity—talking face-to-face with those who shape visa rules, digital infrastructure, and employee mobility. Our clients often tell us how valuable this type of exposure is when planning cross-border moves or launches in Spain.
Looking through the program, we notice a focus on:
The significance of these themes is clear, especially as so many companies need to adapt quickly. We consistently hear that access to Spanish government insight around Digital-Nomad and Highly-Skilled Worker visas is a draw on its own. Policy updates are expected, and real-time Q&A sessions create a bridge between Spanish authorities and global businesses.
One of the most talked-about updates this year is the rollout of Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The EES is already live from October 2025, as confirmed by the European Commission’s Smart Borders initiative. ETIAS will soon follow, with full launch in late 2026. Understanding these systems is a game-changer for global mobility programs in Spain and beyond.
Both EES and ETIAS are reshaping how non-EU nationals move through the Schengen area, automating border checks and travel permissions.
At the GMC, workshops and clinics will focus on compliance tips and technology offered to help HR teams prepare.
Seasoned managers know that peer learning is just as important as policy briefings. Attending GMC gives access to real case studies from industry leaders, including Iberdrola’s international staffing experience, Inditex’s approach to retail workforce relocation, and Airbus’s insights on high-skill engineering talent movement.
Sessions will break down what works (and what didn’t) in managing complex assignments, digital transformation in HR, and compliance strategies for global business. We believe this collective sharing is critical—lessons come alive through stories and practical examples.
Travel technologies on display: how digital tools are meeting new needsGMC’s expo floor always impresses. What stands out for 2026? Our team is particularly interested in these advances:
Each of these tools responds directly to daily challenges we see as consultants. HR teams look for a single source of truth during events like GMC. Notably, platforms such as VisaHQ improve the process by helping teams manage travel permissions, organize invitations and guarantee up-to-date compliance during corporate mobility events.
Mobility is no longer just about moving people. Spain’s strategy also means driving innovation, attracting R&D, and upskilling the workforce. Consider the hard data:
These numbers illustrate the magnetic pull of Spain for tech-savvy talent, digital nomads, and forward-thinking businesses.
For those of us advising high-growth firms, Spain’s model shows not only readiness but acceleration. We see strong alignment between policy, infrastructure, and the needs of international teams.
A few things stand out as we help clients gear up for GMC:
These steps, in our experience, help organizations focus on growth—the kind at the center of our mission at EWS Limited.
The Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is now a reality. By October 2025, every movement of non-EU nationals is registered, providing biometric and travel record data. ETIAS will go live in the final quarter of 2026, introducing an added pre-clearance step before entering the area. For managers responsible for compliance, these changes mean a new daily reality.
Attending GMC means a unique chance to ask detailed questions directly to the architects of these policies.
One of the most common challenges we discuss with clients is timing: knowing exactly when new rules come into force, and how to coach globally mobile staff on adapting to these changes. At the 2026 Call, government officials and technology providers will walk through practical case studies about both EES and ETIAS—showing best steps for reducing travel hiccups while staying fully within the lines.
We recommend reading more about the full scope of these sweeping regulatory changes in official sources like the European Commission’s Smart Borders overview.
Spain’s digital-nomad visa has drawn global interest, but policy tweaks are coming fast. In 2026, GMC will function as a direct forum for companies to challenge practicalities, understand new criteria, or discuss new quotas and processing timelines.
Updates are expected to increase opportunities for corporate assignees under new fast-track categories. We encourage businesses with international growth plans to come with scenarios in hand, and use the rare access to policymakers for clarity that’s impossible to find outside these sessions.
If your HR or mobility team needs a deeper dive into this subject, our own guide to global mobility compliance in 2026 is a recommended resource.
Navigating GMC: how to make the most of the expoWe have attended many international mobility summits, but GMC’s meeting rooms, show floor, and informal clinics are in a class of their own.
Whether your focus is R&D, high-growth IT, or regional HR planning, we recommend a strategy that includes:
Based on our experience, the meetings arranged at GMC often save weeks of agency back-and-forth afterward. Leadership teams can leave Madrid with a roadmap, not just a stack of business cards.
One of the key points for mobility and HR managers is the time spent on routine admin. VisaHQ’s Spain portal brings support features directly to GMC participants:
Many organizations find that, with hundreds of staff arrivals, having these tools ready for GMC week minimizes errors and keeps everyone on track.
We routinely assist clients in setting up these tools in advance, allowing HR staff to support global teams with confidence and transparency throughout large international events.
Our internal research shows that international organizations, especially those seeking R&D or tech talent, view Spain’s recent surge in electrified vehicles and clean-tech investment as more than just headlines. The trend signals a pull for engineers, programmers, and innovations teams from across Europe and further afield. For a summary of mobility’s technology side, our in-house review AI and global mobility: embracing change is a strong starting point.
GMC’s setting in Madrid allows HR, mobility, and leadership teams to combine market intelligence with first-hand tech demos and workshops. For Series B or C startups and IT-focused firms, these discussions frequently become the touchpoint for springboard hiring or long-term compliance checks.
Looking ahead, compliance is the watchword. EES becomes the tracking backbone for movements in October 2025. ETIAS shakes up pre-travel authorization practices by late 2026. Fast-track visa pilots are poised to widen into new categories for business travelers and corporate assignments.
Every company planning to move teams through Spain (or wider Europe) within the next 18 months will be affected by these shifts.
To support hands-on managers, we recommend reviewing our complete guide for global mobility managers and keeping up with the newest trends in HR management for international teams as we move into the second half of the decade. For an outlook on the forces shaping recruitment and retention, we also maintain a regular briefing on hiring trends and predictions ahead of 2026.
In our view at EWS Limited, participating in the Global Mobility Call 2026 is now a central checkpoint for those handling staff movement, compliance, and international HR in Iberia. From the depth of topic coverage to the direct policy engagement, GMC integrates all sides of global mobility under one event.
Participants gain not just contacts but practical guidance, exclusive previews of travel systems like EES and ETIAS, and access to technologies designed specifically to ease the lives of HR, compliance, and relationship managers. With VisaHQ on hand to streamline the process for ETIAS and visa clinics, GMC positions itself as the must-attend event for 2026 cross-border staffing.
Take the next step in connecting your workforce and building for the future by getting to know EWS Limited’s solutions for evolving global mobility needs.
Global Mobility Call 2026 is a major international event held in Madrid at IFEMA, bringing together experts, companies, and policy leaders to discuss and exhibit solutions in sustainable corporate mobility. It will run from June 9-11, 2026, and is co-organized by IFEMA Madrid, Spain’s Ministry of Transport, and top industry forums with a focus on the latest developments impacting global staff movement and compliance.
Registration for GMC 2026 is typically handled online through the official event portal. Corporate managers and HR leaders can purchase tickets directly and are encouraged to book early, especially for events and hotel lodging close to IFEMA due to high expected demand during the conference week.
Key topics at GMC 2026 include new visa options, AI-powered fleet management, cross-border rail, compliance strategies for EES and ETIAS, best practices in digital staff relocation, and policy roundtables, all designed for mobility managers and HR leaders with interests in Spain and Europe.
Attending GMC 2026 provides direct access to policymakers, technology innovators, and peers in international HR, offering insights on upcoming changes to digital-nomad and highly skilled worker visas, and hands-on strategies for compliance with Europe’s new travel systems. It is also the ideal venue for networking, learning from major company case studies, and discussing new processes with senior Spanish officials.
The full event schedule, including speaker line-ups, workshops, and expo highlights, will be available on the official GMC 2026 homepage and updated regularly as the conference approaches. Attendees should check the website for session timings and book appointments for one-on-one clinics in advance.
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