SMI 2026: Minimum wage in Spain and how much it has risen

What is the SMI for 2026?

The Spanish Statutory Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) for 2026 is set in the official BOE resolution as 1,221 EUR per month when paid in 14 payments, which corresponds to 17,094 EUR per year. This is the statutory floor for gross remuneration in salaried employment under national rules for 2026 (see Official Sources below).

These amounts are the legal reference for employers and workers when determining gross contractual pay and for the purposes of social-security bases, minimum contribution levels and certain labour-law rights.

How much has the SMI risen?

The BOE establishes the new SMI figure for 2026 and therefore reflects an increase compared with the previously applicable statutory figure. The official BOE text describes the modification and the legal effects of the change. For precise historic comparison or the exact percentage change, consult the BOE resolution cited in the Official Sources section.

Note: we do not reproduce percentage increases here unless explicitly stated in the official text; consult the BOE link below for the official wording and any annexes that quantify the change.

What do the SMI figures mean in practice?

• 1,221 EUR/month in 14 payments: This means the statutory gross monthly amount when the worker receives 14 pay slips per year (12 monthly salaries plus two extra payments in the months established by contract or collective agreement). Multiplying 1,221 by 14 gives the annual gross of 17,094 EUR.
• Annual reference (17,094 EUR/year): Employers who pay wages in 12 monthly instalments should distribute the annual gross appropriately; contracts and collective agreements normally specify how extra payments are handled.

These values are gross figures: before income-tax withholdings (IRPF) and social-security contributions. The net take-home pay will be lower depending on your personal situation and mandatory deductions.

Deductions and payroll references to consider

This article does not calculate a final net salary for any individual. For a reliable net-pay simulation you must use a payroll tool and compare with official withholding tables published by the Agencia Tributaria (AEAT).

Practical payroll references for 2026:

• Social-security maximum contribution base (to determine upper limit for contributions): 5,101.20 EUR/month (official reference for contribution ceilings in 2026).
• Employee MEI (employee contribution for certain mutual or specific items): 0.15% (official reference provided among the required facts for 2026).

How these figures affect a worker on the SMI:

• Social-security contributions. The employee social-security contribution is calculated against the relevant contribution base and rates; the employer also contributes separately. The maximum base above is the ceiling for calculating certain social-security contingencies, but most employees on the SMI will contribute on a base close to their actual salary, not at the maximum base.
• Income-tax withholdings (IRPF). Withholding rates depend on personal income, family situation, and other income sources. Many full-time workers whose gross annual income equals the annual SMI may have low or zero IRPF withholding, but the exact result depends on each case.

Because deduction rates and personal circumstances vary, our site provides a net-salary calculator to estimate net pay: these simulations are informative and must be compared with the official withholding communicated by the AEAT (Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria).

Who benefits from the SMI increase?

• Full-time employees whose contractual gross pay equals the SMI will receive the new statutory gross amount or an amount at least equal to the SMI if protected by law.
• Part-time workers have their SMI-adjusted pay pro-rated according to hours worked and their contractual terms.
• Temporary and fixed-term contracts must also respect the SMI as a legal minimum unless specific exceptions set out by law apply.

Collective agreements can set higher minimums for specific sectors or subregions; the SMI is a national floor, not a ceiling.

What employers must do now

• Update payroll systems and contracts to ensure the gross minimum salary complies with the BOE figure for 2026.
• Verify that extra payments (if paid in 14 instalments) are adjusted so the total annual gross equals at least 17,094 EUR for full-time SMI workers.
• Review social-security bases and reporting to ensure contributions are calculated on the correct bases and ceilings for 2026.
• Check collective agreements that may set higher minimum wages or specific pay structures.

Practical steps for employees

1. Check your most recent payslip: confirm gross monthly pay and how many payments you receive per year (12 or 14).
2. If your contractual gross pay is below the statutory SMI, speak with your employer or a worker representative — the SMI is a legal minimum in Spain.
3. Use a reliable net-salary calculator (see our calculator link below) for an approximate estimate of take-home pay; then compare with the official AEAT withholding notice when available.

Use our net-salary calculator (informative)

Want to see how the SMI affects your take-home pay? Use our calculator to run an informative simulation of net salary for 2026. The simulation reflects the SMI gross figures and typical deduction categories, but remember: any calculation on this site is informative only — official withholding and final tax liability must be verified against AEAT and your payroll department.

[Use the calculator](/calculator) — a quick simulation helps you understand likely net pay, but always compare with official documentation.

Spain-focused disclaimer

This article is focused on Spain and its 2026 statutory figures. It provides general informational content about the SMI and payroll implications and does not constitute legal, tax or employment advice. For binding determinations on withholding, tax liability or legal disputes consult official sources (BOE, AEAT) or a qualified professional.

Official sources

• BOE SMI 2026 (official resolution setting the SMI): https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2026-3815

The BOE link above is the primary legal reference for the 2026 SMI. For withholding tables and personal income-tax guidance consult the AEAT (Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria) website.

Quick reference — required official facts for 2026 (summary)

• Tax year: 2026
• SMI: 1,221 EUR/month in 14 payments; 17,094 EUR/year
• Social-security maximum contribution base: 5,101.20 EUR/month
• Employee MEI: 0.15%
• Calculator limit: Informative simulation; official withholding must be compared with AEAT

If you need a personalised estimate, use our calculator and then compare the result with the withholding notice provided by AEAT or your company payroll office.