Being self-employed in Spain is already expensive, and it’s about to get worse. The Spanish government has proposed a new rise in the cuota de autónomos (self-employed social security payment) starting in 2026. The plan would see annual increases between €200 and €2,500, depending on income.

For those earning under €670 a month, the monthly payment would go up by €17, reaching €217.37. At the other end of the scale, those earning over €6,000 a month would see their payment jump by €206 to €796.24.

A System That Was Already Unpopular

The self-employed system in Spain, known as RETA, was reformed in 2022 after years of negotiation. It was introduced as a “progressive” model, linking payments to real income. However, the change caused outrage among freelancers, who argued that even the lowest payments were still too high.

Now, the government’s latest proposal has sparked fresh criticism. Many feel that instead of helping small business owners and freelancers recover from inflation and economic uncertainty, the new plan will only make life harder.

Strong Reactions from Associations

The National Federation of Self-Employed Workers (ATA) has called the proposal a blow to the self-employed. Others said the government is asking too much from people who already pay a lot into the system but receive little in return. He urged political parties to oppose the measure when it reaches Parliament.

Meanwhile, UPTA, another association for freelancers, has taken a more moderate view, saying the proposal follows the plan approved in 2022 but needs improvements. They are pushing for a new lower tier for those earning less than €4,000 a year, such as artists and content creators.

How Spain Compares to Other Countries

For balance, we compared self-employment systems across Europe. Spain’s costs may seem high, but they do include several important benefits. The monthly fee covers public healthcare, state pension contributions, sick pay, and parental leave, making it a form of social insurance rather than just a tax.

In the UK, for example, freelancers pay lower national insurance contributions, often under €20 a month, but they don’t receive full healthcare coverage through that payment, and pension contributions are voluntary. In Germany, self-employed workers can choose between public and private health insurance, but the public option can cost over €400 per month for basic coverage. In France, contributions are also income-based and include healthcare and retirement, though the system there is complex and can vary widely depending on the type of work.

Spain’s model, while expensive at first glance, offers access to one of Europe’s strongest public healthcare systems and a level of social protection that many freelancers in other countries must arrange privately.

What Happens Next

The plan still needs parliamentary approval. If it fails, current 2025 rates would remain in place. But if passed, the increases would continue gradually until 2031, as part of the government’s long-term reform to make payments reflect real income.

For many, however, the change feels less like fairness and more like another obstacle in a country where being self-employed is already one of the toughest jobs of all.

Are you self-employed in Spain? We’d love to hear how these changes could affect you. Join the conversation below or on our social media pages.

Main image: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio