ATA reports 11.77 billion euro annual cost of bureaucracy for Spanish self-employed

The National Federation of Associations of Self-Employed Workers (ATA) reports that administrative bureaucracy in Spain has significantly increased, costing the self-employed sector an estimated 11.77 billion euros annually.

According to ATA data, the more than 3.47 million self-employed workers in Spain now spend an average of 226 hours per year on administrative, fiscal, labor, and Social Security obligations. This represents an increase of 26 hours since December. When calculated at a rate of 15 euros per hour, the bureaucratic burden amounts to approximately 3,390 euros per worker annually.

Several factors are contributing to this rise, including the implementation of the Verifactu invoicing system, new requirements for time tracking, and the European Union's Artificial Intelligence regulation. ATA President Lorenzo Amor stated that the increasing volume of regulations is preventing workers from achieving work-life balance. The organization has proposed simplifying tax filings, suggesting a reduction from four annual declarations to one or two, to alleviate the pressure on the sector.