Spain's self‑employed forced into second jobs as leave costs threaten businesses

More than 280,000 self‑employed workers in Spain have had to combine their own business with a salaried job to make ends meet, an increase of 2.6% (about 7,200 people) over the previous year. The total number rose to 274,463 in June 2026, reflecting growing pressures from higher housing, food, and energy costs.

A separate study estimates that covering a month of absence for a self‑employed worker costs €2,339.90, slightly higher than the average net monthly income of €2,298 for such workers. The report says this hidden cost affects up to 3.4 million freelancers, causing many to forgo their right to parental or sick leave because doing so would jeopardise their business.

Both findings highlight the widening financial strain on Spain's autonomous sector and the need for policy measures to address pluriactivity and the affordability of leave for freelancers.