Proposed increase in autónomos contributions: what’s at stake?

Spain’s Ministry of Social Security has recently put forward a draft plan for new contribution (cotización) rates for autónomos for the years 2026, 2027 and 2028. The proposal introduces updated brackets based on new minimum contribution bases. If accepted, monthly contributions in 2026 could rise by €11 to €206 depending on income. And contrary to what one might expect, even those with low billing might see substantial increases.

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Here’s a snapshot of how the increases could look:

• Self-employed individuals with monthly revenue up to €670 would see their contribution increase by €17, bringing their monthly contribution to €217 (the lowest proposed).
• Those earning between €1,167 and €1,300 would see the smallest increase of €11, bringing their contribution to €302 per month.
• At the top end, those with revenues above €6,000 monthly could face a €206 increase, pushing their contribution up to about €796.24 per month.

These changes would apply across 16 revenue brackets, with each bracket tied to a different “base mínima” (minimum base) and thus a different contribution level. The draft also contemplates continuing similar linear increases through 2031, in line with a 2022 agreement on transitioning to a system of contributions tied to real income.

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Reactions from Associations of Autónomos

The proposal has provoked sharp and mixed reactions among associations representing autonomous workers:

• The Federal Association of Autonomous Workers (ATA) strongly opposes the draft. Lorenzo Amor, ATA’s president, characterized the increases as excessive and criticized the lack of flexibility over the six-year trajectory. He stated:
• “They can prepare the decree and take it to Parliament, but with ATA they cannot count on support. They already pay enough to Social Security for what they receive.”
• On the other hand, UPTA (Unión de Profesionales Autónomos) has viewed the draft more favorably, noting it closely resembles models that were approved by various associations (including ATA at the time) back in 2022. UPTA has proposed some modifications, such as creating a lower bracket for artists or content creators who earn less than €4,000 per year from those activities.

Both associations agree on one thing: rigidity in the brackets must be avoided. They argue for the possibility of adjusting the brackets should economic conditions change substantially.

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Another key point of contention is the proposed changes to “cese de actividad” (unemployment assistance for self-employed). The Social Security proposal suggests lowering the loss or income reduction threshold required to access that benefit, but ATA argues that the adjustment is too small and still leaves many claims unjustly denied.

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What Is ATA?

ATA stands for Federación Nacional de Asociaciones de Trabajadores Autónomos. Founded in 1995, ATA represents the interests of autonomous workers across Spain. Its main functions include:

• Advocacy and negotiation with government bodies (such as Social Security and ministries) on legislation affecting freelancers and self-employed workers
• Legal, fiscal and advisory services for its members
• Training and support to help autónomos manage administrative, tax and regulatory challenges
• Lobbying for reforms to create fairer contribution systems, social protection and reduced administrative burdens  

Because ATA is one of the most visible and influential organizations representing self-employed workers in Spain, its acceptance or rejection of new proposals carries considerable political weight.