Self-employed? You have until 31 October to change your social security contribution
If you are self-employed in Spain, this October brings an opportunity that is often missed: you can change your contribution base in the Special Regime for the Self-Employed (RETA) and, with it, the monthly contribution you pay. The deadline is 31 October 2026 and the change takes effect from 1 November 2026.
What you can do
The contribution base is the amount on which your social security contribution is calculated. Until the end of October you can adjust it to your real income, always within the limits allowed for your age. In other words, you cannot pick just any figure: there is a minimum and maximum range that depends on your circumstances.
Why it is worth reviewing
Although the change may look small, it affects two important things. First, what you pay each month, which can go up or down depending on the base you choose. Second, what you contribute towards future benefits, because the base influences the benefits you may eventually receive. It is better to decide with information than to let it slide.
What this means for you
If your income has changed during the year, now is a good moment to ask whether your current base is still right. If income has dropped, you may be able to reduce your contribution. If it has risen, you might consider increasing it to strengthen your protection. Either way, the decision is yours and should be made with the numbers in front of you.
Before changing anything, we suggest having these details to hand: your approximate income and expenses for the year, your current contribution base, and the limits that apply to you for your age.
Remember the calendar too: a change requested now does not take effect immediately, but from 1 November. Do not leave it until the last days of October.
A helpful question
To decide, ask yourself a simple question: does my current contribution reflect what I really earn and what I want to protect? If the answer is unclear, that is a sign it is worth reviewing. This is not a decision to make blindly or out of habit: a few minutes of analysis now can save you months of paying a contribution that does not fit your situation.
A practical tip
Review your figures with your adviser before requesting the change. A well-chosen base can help you adjust your monthly burden without losing sight of your future. And if you also work through a company or have other activities, look at the whole picture before deciding.
If you are unsure about the limits that apply to you, or about how the change will affect your future benefits, ask before requesting it. It is better to spend a little time reviewing the data than to discover later that the chosen base did not fit your plans.
Closing thoughts
Adjusting your contribution to your reality is a management decision, not just paperwork. At EBF Consulting we can help you review your income and decide which base suits you. Get in touch and we will go through it calmly before the deadline.
Official reference: Spanish Social Security (RETA, change of contribution base).