Spain hikes minimum salary for 2026 amid seasonal worker protections

Spain has increased its national minimum salary for 2026, with workers on short-term contracts benefiting from a higher daily wage.

Seasonal workers gain protections

The Spanish government has published a royal decree setting new minimum wage rates, effective from January 1, 2026. A key change is the introduction of a specific minimum for temporary contracts of less than 120 days, designed to protect workers in sectors with frequent short-term hiring, such as agriculture, hospitality, and services.

Under the new rules, temporary workers putting in a full day's work will receive a minimum of €57.82, which includes not just their basic pay but also a pro-rata share of overtime, public holidays, and annual leave. This is aimed at ensuring these often exploited workers receive fair compensation.

The overall minimum inter-professional wage, covering all employees regardless of sector or contract type, has risen by 3.1% to €12,210 per year, or €821 a month, based on 14 monthly payments.

For part-time workers, the minimum wage is calculated proportionally to the number of hours worked. So, someone on a half-day contract would receive around half the daily minimum.

If an employer fails to pay a worker the correct minimum, they should first send a written request for rectification, citing the applicable decree. If this is ignored, the employee can seek union or professional advice before potentially pursuing legal action to recover owed wages within a one-year timeframe.