Tens of thousands of ‘autónomos’ took to the streets of 40 Spanish cities this week to protest against a system they say is “suffocating” them.
Self-employed workers from across Spain recently took to the streets to protest against the “injustice” suffered by autónomos in the country.
Demonstrators argue the sector is being “massacred” by high taxes and bureaucracy despite being a “pillar of Spain”.
The main march, in Madrid, was one of dozens of protests organised by the recently created Platform for the Dignity of Self-Employed Workers (Plataforma por la Dignidad de los Autónomos).
READ ALSO: Eight key lessons I’ve learnt about being self-employed in Spain
In Barcelona, according to the local police, some 1,500 people turned out to demand a fair review of their contributions and social protections comparable to that of salaried workers.
Self-employed workers in Cantabria also joined the marches, filling Santander city centre to protest how they are “suffocated” by burdensome contributions, taxes and bureaucracy.
In Asturias, around a thousand self-employed workers joined the demonstration in the centre of Oviedo to demand “decent” working conditions.
Marches were also held in Bilbao, Seville, Valencia, Málaga, Mallorca, Murcia, Santiago and Salamanca, among other cities.
“This is just the beginning,” platform coordinator Raúl García said in the Spanish press. “Everything is moving forward in Spain and we will continue to push forward until we are heard in some way,” he added.
Autónomos in Spain pay among the highest social security fees in Europe and have other difficulties such as accessing sick pay or mortgage applications.
The platform’s aim is to keep up the pressure and raise awareness for the difficulties faced by self-employed workers in Spain, demanding a series of improvements that have been included in a manifesto that was out read before the Congress of Deputies at the final stop on the Madrid march.
The wishes included proportional social security quotas adjusted to actual monthly income, simplification of bureaucracy and an end to “incomprehensible” language.
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It also made other demands such as VAT exemption up to €85,000; social protections equivalent to those of salaried workers; replacements for sick leave or family care with reduced contributions; the right to time off when grieving; freedom of cash payments and protection of personal assets and the family home.
As of 2025, there are approximately 3.3 million autónomos or self-employed people registered in Spain, which is around 16 percent of the working population. This includes everyone who works for themselves either for various private clients or who own a small business like a bar or a café.
In Spain, many autónomos, whether Spanish or foreign, complain about the complicated processes needed to register and maintain as self-employed in Spain.
For that reason, many hire accountants or gestors.
READ MORE: What’s a gestor in Spain and why you’ll probably need one
