Autonomos form a core part of the national economy in services. Photo credit: PP.es
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of Spain’s Partido Popular (PP), has pledged to “let the self-employed work”, arguing that autónomos should “not have more fear of the tax authorities than of the corrupt”. The remarks were made during an address focused on economic confidence and the role of small businesses within Spain’s labour market. His comment was reported by Spanish news media 20 minutos and draws attention to long-standing concerns among freelancers and independent workers regarding administrative workload, oversight procedures, and the clarity of tax obligations.
Spain has one of the largest self-employed sectors in Europe, with autónomos forming a core part of the national economy in services, hospitality, construction, logistics, cultural industries and emerging digital sectors. Yet despite their economic relevance, frustrations have built over the perceived intensity of inspections and the complexity of compliance with tax and social contribution rules.
Context and Speech
Economic Climate and Public Confidence
Feijóo addressed the issue as part of a broader discussion regarding economic stability and financial predictability for small businesses. He stated that a “healthy and productive economy” relies on a relationship of trust between working citizens and public institutions. According to his argument, excessive bureaucratic pressure risks discouraging entrepreneurship and undermining the ability of small businesses to plan, hire, expand or innovate.
The message aligns with a broader political conversation in Spain about competitiveness and administrative efficiency. Many self-employed workers have highlighted the difficulty of navigating tax obligations, the time commitment required for compliance, and the financial strain caused by mistakes that may trigger penalties. Feijóo’s remarks suggest that reforms should focus on distinguishing clearly between intentional tax evasion and honest accounting errors that arise in complex systems.
Policy Direction
Commitment to Administrative Simplification
Although no full legislative package has yet been formally introduced alongside the statement, Feijóo pointed to several principles he intends to prioritise. These include clearer documentation requirements, faster administrative processing, digital simplification of forms, and enforcement procedures that apply proportionality in cases of lower-risk discrepancies.
He also highlighted a need for institutional communication that is “predictable, transparent, and supportive rather than adversarial”. The approach is positioned not as a reduction in tax collection but as a restructuring of how oversight is implemented, aiming to maintain revenue while lowering anxiety and uncertainty for law-abiding workers.
Market observers note that the success of any such reforms would depend on collaboration across multiple government departments, including economic, labour and treasury institutions, as well as regional bodies that hold relevant competencies.
Summary
- Feijóo argued that self-employed workers should not “fear the tax authority more than the corrupt”, calling for improved fairness and clarity in oversight.
- He proposed simplifying administrative processes and promoting a more balanced relationship between autónomos and the state.
Reactions from professional associations have varied. Many welcome the acknowledgement of long-standing issues, particularly those related to the emotional and practical strain of ongoing bureaucratic compliance. Others stress that reform must be specific, measurable and carefully structured to ensure that combating fraud remains effective. Policy advisers note that any significant recalibration must protect Spain’s fiscal integrity while making everyday compliance more accessible.
The future of these proposals will depend on political negotiation, broader fiscal priorities and the country’s economic conditions in the coming year. If developed into concrete policy, they could reshape the operational landscape for Spain’s self-employed, influencing investment confidence and small-business development across multiple sectors.
