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New year, new rules and changes for autónomos (self-employed) in Spain.
2025 will see a whole host of important changes for the self-employed, ranging from a new retirement age to higher monthly contributions for some.
Here’s what you need to know.
READ ALSO: The self-employed workers in Spain who will pay more tax in 2025
The new retirement age for the self-employed in 2025
2025 will bring an adjustment in the retirement age for the self-employed in Spain.
In order to be able to retire at 65 with 100 percent of the regulatory pension base, it will be necessary to have contributed for at least 38 years and 3 months into the Spanish social security system. This is a slight increase on the period required until 2024, which was previously 38 years.
Currently, the self-employed can opt for full retirement if they are 65 years old and have completed 38 years of contributions or, failing that, at 66 years and 6 months if they do not have the full contributions.
However, the change for 2025 introduces an adjustment to the age requirement: those without 38 years and 3 months of contributions will now have to wait until 66 years and 9 months to retire with their full pension.
This change marks a trend towards a progressive increase in the retirement age, especially for those who do not meet the minimum years of contributions.
READ ALSO: Five key changes to Spain’s retirement age and pensions
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Self-employed quotas
They’re the bane of many self-employed people’s lives in Spain: those monthly social security contributions.
Well, they’re set to change again. From 1st January 2025, the contribution system for the self-employed will bring with it important changes based on the new system based on real income.
In short, the lowest income brackets will generally see a reduction in contributions, while those earning more than €1,700 will see an increase.
From 2025, the self-employed in the first 6 brackets, ie. those earning between less than €670 and €1,700 per month, will have lower monthly contributions moving forward.
For those paying the minimum contribution, you will have an annual reduction of between €80-€428, depending on your income bracket.
However, there’s going to be an increase for those earning more than €1,700.
In these cases, if they pay the minimum base, their monthly contribution will be increased and will mean an annual increase of between €272 and €970.
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‘Regularising’ or refunding social security payments
On that theme, the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 also brings with it the start of the ‘regularisation’ of social security contributions for the self-employed for previous tax years.
This procedure, which will run until April 2025, will adjust the 2023 contributions according to the actual income declared.
They key dates are below:
- November 2024: Social Security will begin notifying the RED system managers about the income declared in 2023, allowing the self-employed to revise their contribution.
- November-December 2024: the self-employed who contributed more than necessary will be able to opt for a refund or, if they prefer, keep the higher contribution base to ensure better benefits.
- December 2024: those who contributed correctly will receive a notification, finalising their regularisation process without the need for further adjustments.
- January-February 2025: Social Security will automatically refund excess contributions to those who have contributed more than their actual income.
- March-April 2025: the self-employed who underpaid contributions will be notified and will have to pay the difference or request a deferral.
Increase in the Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (MEI)
Another increased cost related to the contributions of the self-employed in 2025 is the Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (MEI).
Introduced in 2023, the MEI is a small tax levied to help ensure the sustainability of the pension system .
It affects both employees and the self-employed. From 2025, the MEI will increase from the current 0.7 percent to 0.8 percent of the contribution base.
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Mandatory electronic invoicing
Finally, another of the novelties for 2025 is in relation to electronic invoicing, which has actually been in force since October 2024 but will kick in properly in the new year.
This regulation establishes the technical and functional requirements that electronic invoicing systems in Spain must meet. This change seeks to improve the security and efficiency of tax communications with Spain’s Tax Agency (AEAT) by standardising invoicing processes, thus promoting greater transparency and control.
One of the key requirements is that these systems ensure the integrity of each invoice through the use of digital fingerprints and electronic signatures.
READ ALSO – Self-employed in Spain: Four ‘unknown’ ways the taxman spies on you online