The Council of Ministers confirmed on 23 December that monthly social-security contributions for Spain’s three million self-employed workers (autónomos) will remain unchanged throughout 2026, shelving increases that were due under the income-based system introduced in 2023.
Negotiations stall
Talks with major autónomo associations failed to produce consensus on new contribution tables. With inflation still elevated and many sole traders recovering from COVID-era debt, the government opted for stability, the Minister for Inclusion Elma Saiz said.
Why it matters for global mobility
1. Thousands of foreign freelancers and digital-nomad visa holders registered as autónomos avoid a cost hike that would have taken effect on 1 January.
2. Companies that engage contractors in Spain can budget 2026 projects without factoring in higher employer-cost gross-ups.
3. The decision aligns with the SMI freeze, signalling a broader government push for cost containment while the 2026 budget remains in limbo.
![Government Freezes 2026 Social-Security Contributions for Spain’s Self-Employed]()
VisaHQ can help freelancers and employers stay compliant through these regulatory shifts. Its platform — available at https://www.visahq.com/spain/ — offers end-to-end assistance with digital-nomad and self-employment visa applications, renewal reminders, and document management, simplifying Spain’s administrative maze for individuals and global mobility teams alike.
Details of the freeze
• Both the minimum (€230 approx.) and maximum (€530 approx.) monthly quotas stay at 2025 levels.
• The income-based reporting system (Rendimientos Netos) remains; only the numeric tables are suspended.
• A review of the model is promised for the second half of 2026.
Next steps for expatriates
Foreign professionals who switched from non-lucrative to autónomo status should verify that their cuota domiciliación remains correct and update tax forecasts accordingly. Mobility managers should communicate the change to remote workers considering Spain in 2026.
Negotiations stall
Talks with major autónomo associations failed to produce consensus on new contribution tables. With inflation still elevated and many sole traders recovering from COVID-era debt, the government opted for stability, the Minister for Inclusion Elma Saiz said.
Why it matters for global mobility
1. Thousands of foreign freelancers and digital-nomad visa holders registered as autónomos avoid a cost hike that would have taken effect on 1 January.
2. Companies that engage contractors in Spain can budget 2026 projects without factoring in higher employer-cost gross-ups.
3. The decision aligns with the SMI freeze, signalling a broader government push for cost containment while the 2026 budget remains in limbo.
VisaHQ can help freelancers and employers stay compliant through these regulatory shifts. Its platform — available at https://www.visahq.com/spain/ — offers end-to-end assistance with digital-nomad and self-employment visa applications, renewal reminders, and document management, simplifying Spain’s administrative maze for individuals and global mobility teams alike.
Details of the freeze
• Both the minimum (€230 approx.) and maximum (€530 approx.) monthly quotas stay at 2025 levels.
• The income-based reporting system (Rendimientos Netos) remains; only the numeric tables are suspended.
• A review of the model is promised for the second half of 2026.
Next steps for expatriates
Foreign professionals who switched from non-lucrative to autónomo status should verify that their cuota domiciliación remains correct and update tax forecasts accordingly. Mobility managers should communicate the change to remote workers considering Spain in 2026.
