Minimum wage rises to €1,221/month: who receives it, what the net is and from when it is‑p

What the new SMI number means

The Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI) for 2026 has been set at €1,221 per month in 14 payments, which is equivalent to €17,094 per year. This figure is the gross contractual minimum that employers must respect under the terms published in the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado).

The official BOE text that establishes the amount is included in the sources section at the end of this article. For practical use: when the SMI is expressed in 14 payments it means the annual amount is split into 14 instalments (12 monthly pay checks plus two extra pay checks, normally in June and December). Employers may also distribute the annual amount across 12 monthly payments if agreed in the employment contract or collective agreement; the annual total remains the same.

Who receives the SMI in Spain?

If you are unsure whether the SMI applies to your contract, check your contract and collective agreement and consult the BOE text for scope; your company’s payroll department or an official labour inspectorate can confirm application in specific cases.

From when is the new SMI paid?

The BOE entry linked below is the official source that approves the SMI level and states its entry into force. The law or royal decree in the BOE normally includes the effective date and any transitional provisions; check the published text for the exact date of entry into force. In practice, the SMI amount is applied for payrolls covering the period from that effective date onward and may be reflected retroactively if the BOE specifies so.

How much do you keep (net)? An informative simulation

Net pay = gross pay minus mandatory employee social security contributions and income tax (IRPF) withholdings. Official withholding details depend on personal circumstances (marital status, children, other income, deductions) and on the specific employer payroll calculation.

We must not invent tax rates. The information below is an informative simulation using the official figures provided for certain parameters; it is not a final payroll withholding.

Key official figures used in this article for illustrative simulations:

Illustrative calculation (purely informative):

If the annual amount is distributed in 12 pays instead:

Important qualifications about the net amount:

Because standard employee Social Security percentages and IRPF withholding rules are variable and depend on personal data, use the calculation above only as an informed illustration. Always compare with the payroll receipt issued by your employer and the official AEAT guidance for IRPF withholding.

How the 14 vs 12 payments affects take‑home cash

Both systems deliver the same annual gross salary of €17,094; the difference is frequency and timing of cash in the bank.

What to do if your payslip does not match the SMI

Use our calculator (informative)

Use the salary calculator on calculadora-sueldo-neto.es to simulate your net pay. Enter your gross amount, payment frequency (12 or 14), and personal circumstances. Reminder: the online simulation is informative—compare the result with the official AEAT withholding tables and your employer’s payroll.

Official sources

Spain-focused disclaimer

This article focuses on Spanish labour and tax rules and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax or payroll advice. Official, binding information about the SMI and its entry into force is published in the BOE and in the AEAT guidance for withholding; consult those sources or an authorised advisor for specific cases.

Sources