How much will the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) rise in 2026?

Summary of the 2026 SMI decision

The official state bulletin (BOE) sets the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional, SMI) for 2026 at 1,221 EUR per month when paid in 14 payments, which equals 17,094 EUR per year. This is the legally published reference that employers and pay departments must use as the minimum gross pay for full-time employees covered by the SMI.

Source: BOE (see official sources section below).

What the figures mean in practice

• 1,221 EUR/month in 14 payments: This amount applies when the employer distributes salary across 14 payments (12 monthly pays plus two extra payments—usually July and December). If your company pays in 12 monthly instalments, the monthly gross will be proportionally higher because the same annual total is distributed differently.

• 17,094 EUR/year: This is the annual gross for a full-time worker on the SMI under the 14-payment scheme. The annual total is the reference for proration to part-time workers and for calculating proportional amounts for periods shorter than a year.

• Social-security base and other reference values: For 2026 the maximum contribution base for Social Security is 5,101.20 EUR/month. The employee contribution for the special employer mutual insurance (MEI) is recorded as 0.15% for the relevant concept used in payroll routines. Use these official reference values in payroll systems when applicable.

Note: the official BOE text contains the full legal wording. Employers must follow the BOE publication and applicable collective agreements when setting pay.

Who is affected and how

• Full-time workers earning at or near the minimum: they must receive at least the new SMI gross amount pro rata to their pay schedule. If your gross contractual pay was below the new SMI, the employer must raise it to meet the legal minimum.

• Part-time and temporary hires: SMI applies proportionally. For example, a 50% part-time worker is entitled to approximately 50% of the annual SMI (prorated and consistent with the number of payments used by the employer).

• Employees with extra payments: Employers who include the extra payments within monthly salary (12 payments) must ensure the annual total meets at least 17,094 EUR for full-time jobs covered by the SMI.

Payroll consequences: wages, withholdings and contributions

• Gross pay increase vs. net pay: an increase in the SMI raises gross wages. The net effect on take-home pay depends on personal income tax withholding (IRPF), Social Security contributions and any other deductions. Withholdings depend on individual circumstances (marital status, dependents, other income) and must be calculated for each worker.

• Social Security contributions: the increase in gross wages will raise the contribution bases for both employee and employer in most cases. Use the official contribution tables and the Social Security bases (including the maximum base of 5,101.20 EUR/month where appropriate) to update payroll calculations.

• Employer costs: while the SMI sets the legal floor for wages, employers must also account for corresponding employer Social Security contributions and any collective agreement supplements. Those additional employer costs rise in line with the increased wage base.

• Withholdings and tax returns: payroll withholdings are informative estimates. The Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria (AEAT) establishes withholding rules for income tax; actual tax owed after the year-end settlement may differ. Always compare payroll withholding results with AEAT guidance.

Practical steps for employees

1. Check your payslip: confirm the gross salary line and the number of payments per year (12 or 14). The payslip should show the gross annualized amount or the monthly gross and indicate any prorated extras.

1. Verify proration for part-time work: if you work part-time, confirm the employer has prorated the SMI correctly by hours or percentage.

1. Ask HR or payroll for a breakdown: if your net pay seems unexpected after the SMI adjustment, request a detailed calculation showing gross, Social Security deductions, tax withholding and net pay.

1. Use an SMI-aware salary simulator: a payroll simulator that includes the 2026 SMI and current Social Security bases can help estimate your expected net salary. Remember these are simulations and may not match the final withholding determined by AEAT.

Practical guidance for employers and payroll managers

• Update payroll software: implement the new SMI gross amounts and verify that annual totals and proration rules match the published figures in the BOE.

• Review collective agreements: some agreements set wages above the SMI or include different structures for extra payments. Ensure the SMI increase does not cause inconsistencies with existing contractual terms.

• Communicate changes clearly: provide employees with a transparent explanation of how gross and net pay are affected and supply updated payslips showing the calculation basis.

• Recalculate contributions: ensure Social Security bases are recalculated where necessary, taking into account the official maximum base (5,101.20 EUR/month) and the employee MEI entry of 0.15% for the indicated concept.

Frequently asked questions (short)

• Is my employer obliged to apply this increase immediately? The BOE publication establishes the legal SMI. Implementation timing can depend on the legal text and transitional rules. Consult the BOE wording and, if necessary, your company’s payroll department for the effective date applied locally.

• Does SMI apply to trainees or interns? Applicability depends on the employment relationship and collective agreement. Some trainee arrangements are regulated differently. Check the BOE text and applicable sector rules.

• Will my taxes go up automatically? Withholding amounts may change because they are calculated on higher gross pay. The final tax outcome after presenting the annual tax return depends on your total income and personal circumstances.

Use our calculator (informative)

If you want a quick estimate of the net effect of the new SMI on your monthly take-home pay, try our salary simulator at calculadora-sueldo-neto.es. Enter your gross pay, number of payments, contract type and personal tax details to generate an informative simulation. Remember: this tool provides indicative results; official withholding and final tax liability must be compared to AEAT calculations.

Official sources

• BOE: "BOE-A-2026-3815" (Official publication fixing the SMI for 2026) — https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2026-3815

When implementing payroll changes, refer to the BOE text above for the exact legal wording and to Social Security and AEAT official pages for contribution tables and withholding rules.

Spain-focused disclaimer

This article focuses exclusively on Spain and the official SMI figures published in the BOE for 2026. The information is explanatory and aimed at helping employees and payroll practitioners interpret the published amounts. It is not legal or tax advice. For binding determinations on payroll withholding and tax liability consult official rulings from the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria (AEAT) and Social Security guidance, or ask a qualified advisor.

Key figures (quick reference)

• SMI 2026: 1,221 EUR/month (in 14 payments)
• Annual SMI (14 payments): 17,094 EUR/year
• Social Security maximum contribution base (2026): 5,101.20 EUR/month
• Employee MEI entry used in payroll routines: 0.15%

Note: Simulations from our calculator are informative; always compare withholding figures with AEAT guidance and the official BOE text.