Social Security Cover for Self-Employed in Spain 

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Posted and filed under General Articles of Interest.

What do you know about social security and sickness benefits for the self-employed in Spain?

It is compulsory to have cover for temporary disability for those registered as self-employed and also for those who have to have Professional Contingency cover due to a higher risk of accidents. There is a minimum amount that you must pay each month, irrespective of the level of your earnings.

There are some special programmes for reduced contributions for a certain period though.

If you are self-employed you can obtain economic and health benefits in situations where you can not work. These contributions entitle you to health care and, after you’ve paid into the scheme for 15 years, a pension. You can pay more than the basic amount to get a higher pension or make additional contributions to be covered for accidents or sickness at work.

To receive a pension, you must work 15 years. If you have paid into the Spanish Scheme for less than 15 years but can prove you have made contributions in another European Country then you will still be entitled to a small pension in Spain. You can pay more than the basic amount to get a higher pension.

Although you pay social security as self-employed, it depends on what level you pay to get the right cover for various circumstances.

This process can be carried out at the time of registration as a self-employed person, or you can amend it (generally) before 1 October of each year, starting 1 January of the following year.

You have to be up to date on paying your social security to get the benefits. If not they will allow you 30 days to rectify this. Be warned social security is expensive (generally approx. 250€ – 260€ per month) and the obligation to keep paying the payments remains in force as long as the worker carries out their activity, even during situations of temporary disability, pregnancy, and periods of maternity or paternity leave.

The Social Security give you different options for cover for different problems.

Coverage for Temporary Disability

If you have the usual coverage, what benefits can you be entitled to?

– Some healthcare. Your normal doctor with the public health service will sign you off work. The follow-up and treatment of the medical leave will be done by the Social Security and you may have to have medical examinations at the offices of the local Mutua (a sort of private health insurance company offering coverage for the employed and self-employed, which you pay towards) and request to be paid sick pay due to not being able to work temporarily. The Mutua and the Social Security will both monitor you and will pay the benefit until you are well enough to go back to work.

– A payment during pregnancy. If you have not chosen the professional contingency coverage, you would need to pay an additional contribution of 0.10% on the basis of the contribution chosen.

– Care of children affected by cancer or other serious illness.

– Permanent Disability and death payment.

– Maternity.

– Fatherhood.

Coverage for Professional Contingencies

This cover is voluntary except for some types of workers who have to have it including:-

– certain market or street traders

– those who do activities with a high risk of accident

If you opt for the cover for professional contingencies as well, you are entitled to additional accident and sickness cover.

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