Spain
Minimum wage
Impact date: 1 January 2026
The Spanish Government has approved a 3.1% increase to the statutory minimum wage (SMI), setting it at €1,221 gross per month in 14 payments, equivalent to €17,094 annually. Workers paid in 12 monthly instalments (with prorated extra payments) will receive a correspondingly higher monthly amount. The rise is expected to benefit around 2.5 million workers, with the greatest impact in sectors such as agriculture, services, commerce, and domestic work. The measure aims to help preserve workers’ purchasing power in a context of moderate inflation and supports Spain’s continued progress toward ensuring the SMI corresponds to around 60% of the national average wage, in line with recommendations under the European Social Charter.
Employer implications/action needed Employers must update payrolls to reflect the new SMI and pay any retroactive amounts from 1 January 2026. Proportional adjustments should be applied for part-time, temporary, and domestic workers. Existing salary supplements cannot be used to offset the SMI increase.
Employer risk Failure to comply may result in obligations to pay backdated wages. There is also a potential for legal challenges, as the employer association CEOE has signaled it may contest the decree in court over legislative competence.
Internships
Impact date: Awaited. On 4 November 2025, the draft was approved by the Council of Ministers.
The Law on the Statute for Non-work Internship Trainees in Companies (Trainee Statute) is expected to be approved. On 11 December 2024, the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy submitted for public hearing the preliminary draft Trainee Statute. This draft seeks to regulate key aspects of non-labor internships, such as the maximum number of internships per company, the limits on the duration of internships, access to appropriate resources and support, and the reimbursement of expenses.
Employer implications/action needed Employers should monitor the progress of this anticipated reform.
Employer risk N/A
Link N/A
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