Social Security in Spain

Like in the UK there is a scheme for employed and self-employed workers

If you are self-employed

 

You must register your business on the scheme and comply with the board Provincial Trabajo.

Social Security Contributions are higher than for salaried employees and as if that isn’t bad enough you are also entitled to less benefits than if you worked for someone else, probably one of the reasons that there is a high percentage of illegal workers here

The contributions are around the 230euro mark per month irrespective of what you earn though you can obtain a book of payment slips from the local Social Security office so that you can pay by direct debit.

Be aware if you are self-employed in Spain you do not get any unemployment benefits if your business goes under and if you have two part-time jobs you pay twice the same amount for each job irrespective of what it is or how many hours it is you work.

All Spanish employees employed or self-employed whether they are resident or foreign must contribute to the Spanish Social Security system. This covers them for health and retirement benefits (retirement if they have contributed for long enough).

The contributions are relatively high and can amount to 15% of the total pay from the employee alone.

Social Security Numbers

You can obtain a social security number from your local social security office; you need your passport and a copy or residence card but please note you do not have to be a resident to work in Spain. You will be given a form to fill in (it will be in Spanish) but it is self-explanatory and relatively easy to understand if you have at least some command of the Spanish language

You will be issued with a temporary card to begin with there and then or at least when your number comes up after you have handed in the completed form. You will then be sent a plastic card but you may not receive this for anything up to a year.

It is not necessary to have a job before you obtain a number but you do need it to work in Spain and to be entitled to the benefits (but only if you work you will be entitled to these).