Spain (ES)
Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy of 17 autonomous communities stretching from the sun-scorched Andalusian coast to the Pyrenean peaks, renowned for its passionate flamenco and football culture, world-famous gastronomy from tapas to Michelin-starred restaurants, 300+ days of sunshine on the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands, and a relaxed Mediterranean pace of life that consistently ranks it among Europe's most desirable destinations for expats.
2026 Annual Changes — Spain
Updated thresholds, benefits, and regulatory changes effective this year.
Spain updates dozens of financial and regulatory thresholds each year. Key 2026 changes: SMI raised to €1,221/month × 14 (first time SMI earners fully exempt from IRPF); SS maximum contribution base raised to €5,101.20/month with a new solidarity surcharge for high earners; non-contributory pension and IMV increased 11.4%; MEI reaches 0.90%; 0% IVA on basic foods ended December 2024. A landmark Regularización Extraordinaria immigration amnesty ran April–June 2026.
Key Changes for 2026
| Category | 2026 Value | Previous | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMI — Salario Mínimo Interprofesional Minimum wage raised 3.1% by Real Decreto 126/2026; for the first time SMI-level earners are fully exempt from IRPF | €1,221/month × 14 pagas = €17,094/year gross | daily €40.70 | hourly ~€8.90. In 12 monthly payments: €1,424.50/month. | €1,184/month × 14 (€16,576/year) in 2025 | 1 January 2026 (RD 126/2026, retroactive) |
| IPREM — Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples IPREM frozen — used for many benefit and aid thresholds | €600/month | €7,200/year (12 pagas) | €8,400/year (14 pagas) | €600/month (unchanged since January 2022) | 1 January 2026 |
| IRPF — Personal Allowance (Mínimo Personal) Basic personal allowance unchanged state-wide; autonomous communities can add their own | €5,550/year basic; €6,700 over-65; €8,100 over-75 | Unchanged since 2015 | 1 January 2026 |
| IRPF — Tax Brackets (combined state + regional, Madrid example) State-level brackets unchanged (pending Presupuestos Generales del Estado approval). Regional rates vary by CCAA. | To €12,450: 19% | €12,450–€20,200: 24% | €20,200–€35,200: 30% | €35,200–€60,000: 37% | €60,000–€300,000: 45% | >€300,000: 47% (Madrid+state combined; CCAA may add 1–3pp) | Brackets unchanged since 2021 (top bracket >€300,000 added 2021) | 1 January 2026 |
| IRPF Ahorro — Savings and Capital Gains Rates Savings tax brackets unchanged | To €6,000: 19% | €6,000–€50,000: 21% | €50,000–€200,000: 23% | €200,000–€300,000: 27% | >€300,000: 28% | Top bracket 28% added 2023; unchanged since | 1 January 2026 |
| IVA — Value Added Tax Temporary 0% on basic foods ended 31 December 2024 — standard superreducido 4% now applies | General: 21% | Reduced: 10% (hostelería, transporte, flores) | Superreduced 4% (libros, medicinas, pan, leche, huevos, fruta, verdura, legumbres, cereales, aceite de oliva — all back to 4% from January 2025) | 0% on basic foods was a temporary measure expired 31 December 2024 | 1 January 2025 (4% restored, confirmed for 2026) |
| Seguridad Social — Base Máxima + Solidarity Surcharge Maximum contribution base increased; new solidarity surcharge on high earners from 2026 | Base máxima: €5,101.20/month (€61,214.40/year). New solidarity surcharge on salary above base máxima: +1.15% on €5,101.21–€5,611.32/month; +1.25% on €5,611.33–€7,651.80; +1.46% above €7,651.80. | €4,909.50/month (2025) | 1 January 2026 (Orden PJC/297/2026) |
| Seguridad Social — Base Mínima de Cotización Minimum contribution base tied to SMI (pagas extras prorrateadas) | ~€1,424.50/month (SMI €1,221/month × 14 pagas ÷ 12) | ~€1,323/month (2025, from SMI €1,184) | 1 January 2026 |
| Autónomo RETA — Income-Based Contribution Tranches 15-tranche income-based system — table same as 2025 except MEI surcharge update | Lowest tranche (net income ≤€670/month): €200/month | Mid tranche (€2,030–€2,330): €390/month | Highest tranche (net income >€6,000/month): €590/month. MEI surcharge added to all tranches (see MEI entry). | €200–€590/month range (same table as 2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Autónomo Tarifa Plana First-year flat-rate contribution for new autónomos — maintained | €80/month first 12 months; extendable 12 months if net income <SMI | €80/month (since 2023) | 1 January 2026 |
| MEI — Mecanismo de Equidad Intergeneracional MEI contribution increases annually through 2029 | 0.90% of contribution base (0.75% employer + 0.15% employee) | 0.80% in 2025 (0.70% in 2024) | 1 January 2026 |
| Pensión Máxima (Maximum State Pension) Maximum contributory pension increased +2.8% (2025 CPI linkage) | €3,359.60/month × 14 pagas = €47,034.40/year | €3,267.60/month (2025) | 1 January 2026 (RD 39/2026) |
| Pensión Mínima (Minimum Contributory Pension) Minimum contributive pension with dependent spouse increased +2.8% | ~€1,058/month × 14 pagas (verify at seg-social.es — RD 39/2026) | ~€1,033/month (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Pensión No Contributiva (Non-Contributory Pension) Non-contributory pension significantly increased +11.4% | €628.80/month (paid in 12 monthly instalments = €7,545.60/year). First time exceeding €600/month. | ~€564/month in 2025 | 1 January 2026 (RD 39/2026) |
| IMV — Ingreso Mínimo Vital Minimum vital income increased +11.4% | Single adult: €733.60/month | Couple: ~€953/month | Couple + 1 child: ~€1,090/month | Plus CAPI (Complemento de Ayuda a la Infancia) €70–€115/child/month | €604/month single (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Prestación por Desempleo — Máxima y Mínima Unemployment benefit ceiling and floor adjusted | Min: ~€560/month (no dependants) | Max: ~€1,225/month (no dependants) | ~€1,575/month (2+ dependants). Days 1–180: 70% base reguladora. Day 181+: 60%. | — | 1 January 2026 |
| Deducción por Maternidad / Paternidad Working-mother tax credit maintained | €100/month (€1,200/year) per child under 3 years. Additional €1,000/year childcare top-up if nursery costs incurred. | €100/month (unchanged since 2018) | 1 January 2026 |
| Prestación por Nacimiento (Parental Leave) 16-week equal and non-transferable permiso de paternidad/maternidad maintained | 16 weeks each parent (first 6 weeks mandatory, simultaneous) at 100% base reguladora. No income ceiling. | — | 1 January 2026 |
| Abono Transporte — Public Transport Passes Madrid and Barcelona subsidised passes maintained with state support — subsidy extension pending Presupuestos | Madrid Zona A normal: ~€21.30/month (with ~60% state subsidy, valid until at least June 2026). Youth (<26): ~€10/month. Verify subsidy extension at transportes.gob.es. | — | 1 January 2026 (subsidy extension pending) |
| Plan de Pensiones — Maximum IRPF Deduction Individual pension plan tax deduction limit unchanged | €1,500/year individual + €8,500/year employer plan = €10,000 combined maximum | Individual €1,500 since 2023 (was €8,000 pre-2021) | 1 January 2026 |
| Modelo 720 (Foreign Assets Declaration) Obligation maintained with reduced penalties (post-ECJ ruling) | Declaration required for Spanish residents with assets abroad >€50,000 per category (bank accounts / securities / property). Deadline: 31 March each year. Penalties reformed: now €100 per omitted datum (min €1,500). | Confiscatory penalties struck down by ECJ C-788/19 (2022) | 1 January 2026 |
| Impuesto sobre Grandes Fortunas (Solidarity Wealth Tax) Temporary solidarity wealth tax on >€3M wealth — extended for 2026 | 1.7% (€3–5.3M), 2.1% (€5.3–10.6M), 3.5% (>€10.6M). Runs alongside CCAA Impuesto Patrimonio. Madrid and Andalucía abolished their own IP — solidarity tax fills the gap. Non-residents with Spanish assets >€3M affected. | 2023–2025 measure, extended to 2026 | 1 January 2026 |
| Golden Visa (Visado de Residencia por Inversión) Golden Visa definitively ABOLISHED | NOT AVAILABLE for new applicants. Abolished by Ley Orgánica 1/2025 (3 April 2025). Existing golden visas remain valid until renewal. Alternative pathways: digital nomad visa, entrepreneur visa, EU Blue Card, Beckham Law. | Available 2013–2025 for €500k+ real estate investment | 3 April 2025 |
| Regularización Extraordinaria Migratoria 2026 One-time extraordinary immigration regularisation amnesty — April to June 2026 window | Window: 16 April – 30 June 2026. Requires: irregular status and presence in Spain before 1 January 2026, plus at least 5 months documented continuous presence. Grants 1-year work authorisation valid for any sector and region. | — | 16 April 2026 (Real Decreto published April 2026) |
| Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Impatriados) 24% flat-rate regime for new residents — confirmed for 2026; extended to digital nomads | 24% flat rate on Spanish income up to €600,000; 47% above €600k. Available 6 fiscal years (arrival year + 5). Extended to digital nomads and posted workers via Ley 28/2022 Startups Law. Apply via Modelo 149. | Expanded in 2023 via Startups Law | 1 January 2026 |
| Ley de Extranjería Reform Major Reglamento de Extranjería reform (RD 1155/2024) — streamlined arraigo procedures | New arraigo sociolaboral: requires 2 years residency + work contract (was 3 years for arraigo social). Arraigo social and laboral continue with updated procedures. | — | 20 May 2025 (ongoing for 2026) |
| Ley de Vivienda — Zonas Tensionadas 2023 housing law rent caps in tensioned zones continue; Cataluña has designated most municipalities | In designated zonas tensionadas: rent increases on new tenants capped at INE rental reference index. Cataluña designated most municipalities in 2024. | — | Ongoing |
January Checklist
Actions to take each January when new rates take effect.
- 1
Check your nómina for updated SS deductions + new base máxima (€5,101.20) + IRPF retention from January.
- 2
If autónomo: verify your RETA tranche matches your declared income via Importass.seg-social.es — lowest tranche is €200/month.
- 3
Confirm your employer has raised gross salary to at least €1,221/month × 14 pagas (SMI 2026).
- 4
Check updated MEI deduction (0.90%) on your January nómina.
- 5
If claiming IMV: new amounts (€733.60/month single) apply automatically — check CAPI child supplement.
- 6
Pension recipients: +2.8% revalorización applies automatically from January.
- 7
Check IVA on basic food purchases: 0% rate ended December 2024; bread, milk, eggs etc. are now 4%.
- 8
Review Modelo 720 deadline (31 March) if you have foreign assets above €50,000 per category.
- 9
If Beckham Law beneficiary: verify 24% flat rate applies on first nómina of the year.
- 10
If you missed the Regularización Extraordinaria window (April–June 2026), check upcoming immigration pathways at extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es.
- 11
Tenants in Cataluña or other zonas tensionadas: verify landlord applies INE reference index on rent renewal.
Where to Track Annual Changes
-
Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones — inclusion.gob.es — pensions, SS contributions, IMV
-
Ministerio de Trabajo — mites.gob.es — SMI, employment law, unemployment
-
Seguridad Social — seg-social.es — contribution ceilings, RETA tranches
-
Agencia Tributaria — agenciatributaria.es — IRPF brackets, IVA, Modelo 720/100/210
-
Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) — boe.es — official gazette for all law changes
-
INE — ine.es — CPI, rental reference index
-
SEPE — sepe.es — unemployment benefit rules
-
Extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es — immigration rules, Regularización Extraordinaria
All values are for 2026. Some figures (pension mínima, abono transportes subsidy) depend on Presupuestos Generales del Estado approval — verify at the relevant ministry if delayed. For significant financial decisions, consult a gestoría or asesor fiscal. The solidarity surcharge on high salaries above €5,101.20/month is new in 2026.
Annual Changes
Unlock the complete Annual Changes guide for Spain — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere