Spain launches emergency social security aid for self‑employed and firms hit by forest fires

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved a Royal Decree‑Law providing extraordinary Social Security measures for self‑employed workers, marine and agricultural self‑employed, and companies operating in municipalities where forest fires triggered civil‑protection orders. The aid lets self‑employed request activity‑cessation benefits without supplying a force‑majeure certificate or meeting the usual 12‑month contribution requirement. Benefits are provisional, last up to four months, are inembargable and do not count against ordinary benefit periods. Companies that resort to temporary employment regulation (ERTES) receive a total exemption from Social Security contributions. The measures apply in the affected municipalities and remain in force until the end of the high‑fire‑danger season in 2026, with retroactive effect from 22 July 2026.