NEW LAWS: Everything that changes about life in Spain in January 2023
There will be many changes coming into effect in January 2023 in Spain, affecting laws, taxes, driving, food, rent, families, social security fees, voting, travel and more.
Startups Law
Spain’s new Startups law will come into effect in 2023, which aims attract international investors, digital nomads and new companies to Spain with visa incentives, tax breaks, fewer bureaucratic hoops and other benefits.
New tax for all workers
From 2023, all salaried or self-employed in Spain will have to pay an extra tax to help fill up the country's pension fund, regardless of their income.
New social security contributions for self-employed
From 2023, Spain’s autónomos will pay monthly social security fees based on how much they earn, instead of the fixed rate of €294 per month, regardless of how much they get paid.
Cheaper food
The Spanish government recently announced a new package of measures to help with the rising cost of living, including cutting the VAT on basic food products. Come January 1st, you can expect a 5 percent drop on the cost of milk, eggs, vegetables and other staple food products.
No social security tax for new autónomos in Madrid
Back in September 2022, the regional government in Madrid announced that from 2023, new autónomos in Madrid will have their social security fees paid for by the local government for their first year of self-employed work in the region.
No big rent increases
The Spanish government has agreed to continue limiting the amount landlords can increase the rent of tenants by a maximum of two percent throughout 2023.
Is January 2nd a public holiday?
Monday, January 2nd may be a public holiday, depending on where you are in Spain - seeing as January 1st 2023 falls on a Sunday. It will only be a bank holiday in Andalusia, Aragón, Asturias, Castilla y León and Murcia.
Low emission zones
In 2023, drivers in most towns and cities across Spain will only be able to access, drive and park in certain areas if their vehicles meet the new low-emission standards.
READ ALSO: How Spain’s new low-emission zones will affect drivers
New tax on plastics
The Waste and Contaminated Soils Law is being brought in to try and decrease the use of single-use plastics, and to reduce the waste produced in landfills by 15 percent compared to 2010 levels.
Fuel discount ends
The Spanish government will no longer offer drivers its state subsidy of 20 euro cents for every litre of fuel in 2023, with only a few exceptions
Ongoing airline strikes
Strikes by airline staff and baggage handlers will continue to affect travel and flights in early 2023. Walkouts by Vueling, Air Nostrum and Ryanair will all disturb travel on key dates in January.
READ ALSO: The strike dates to avoid when travelling to and from Spain this Christmas
New mothers in Spain can get an extra €100 a month
The Spanish government has announced a new benefit for mothers of children aged 0 to 3. They will be given a €100 cheque per month whether they are working or not, from January 1st 2023.
Family law comes into force
The law is designed to help make life easier for families by introducing new rules such as extended paid leave to care for sick children, the recognition of all forms of family and changes for single-parent families.
READ ALSO: Five things you should know about Spain’s new Family Law
Deadline to vote in local elections is January 15th
Britons must register any time up until January 15th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the May 28th elections.
READ ALSO: Britons told to register to vote in local elections despite deal with Spain
Regional tax breaks
Seven Spanish regions have announced tax breaks that act as an extra benefit to the income tax reductions announced by the national government and will come into force in 2023.
READ ALSO - EXPLAINED: What are Spain’s new regional tax breaks?
See Also
Startups Law
Spain’s new Startups law will come into effect in 2023, which aims attract international investors, digital nomads and new companies to Spain with visa incentives, tax breaks, fewer bureaucratic hoops and other benefits.
New tax for all workers
From 2023, all salaried or self-employed in Spain will have to pay an extra tax to help fill up the country's pension fund, regardless of their income.
New social security contributions for self-employed
From 2023, Spain’s autónomos will pay monthly social security fees based on how much they earn, instead of the fixed rate of €294 per month, regardless of how much they get paid.
Cheaper food
The Spanish government recently announced a new package of measures to help with the rising cost of living, including cutting the VAT on basic food products. Come January 1st, you can expect a 5 percent drop on the cost of milk, eggs, vegetables and other staple food products.
No social security tax for new autónomos in Madrid
Back in September 2022, the regional government in Madrid announced that from 2023, new autónomos in Madrid will have their social security fees paid for by the local government for their first year of self-employed work in the region.
No big rent increases
The Spanish government has agreed to continue limiting the amount landlords can increase the rent of tenants by a maximum of two percent throughout 2023.
Is January 2nd a public holiday?
Monday, January 2nd may be a public holiday, depending on where you are in Spain - seeing as January 1st 2023 falls on a Sunday. It will only be a bank holiday in Andalusia, Aragón, Asturias, Castilla y León and Murcia.
Low emission zones
In 2023, drivers in most towns and cities across Spain will only be able to access, drive and park in certain areas if their vehicles meet the new low-emission standards.
READ ALSO: How Spain’s new low-emission zones will affect drivers
New tax on plastics
The Waste and Contaminated Soils Law is being brought in to try and decrease the use of single-use plastics, and to reduce the waste produced in landfills by 15 percent compared to 2010 levels.
Fuel discount ends
The Spanish government will no longer offer drivers its state subsidy of 20 euro cents for every litre of fuel in 2023, with only a few exceptions
Ongoing airline strikes
Strikes by airline staff and baggage handlers will continue to affect travel and flights in early 2023. Walkouts by Vueling, Air Nostrum and Ryanair will all disturb travel on key dates in January.
READ ALSO: The strike dates to avoid when travelling to and from Spain this Christmas
New mothers in Spain can get an extra €100 a month
The Spanish government has announced a new benefit for mothers of children aged 0 to 3. They will be given a €100 cheque per month whether they are working or not, from January 1st 2023.
Family law comes into force
The law is designed to help make life easier for families by introducing new rules such as extended paid leave to care for sick children, the recognition of all forms of family and changes for single-parent families.
READ ALSO: Five things you should know about Spain’s new Family Law
Deadline to vote in local elections is January 15th
Britons must register any time up until January 15th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the May 28th elections.
READ ALSO: Britons told to register to vote in local elections despite deal with Spain
Regional tax breaks
Seven Spanish regions have announced tax breaks that act as an extra benefit to the income tax reductions announced by the national government and will come into force in 2023.
READ ALSO - EXPLAINED: What are Spain’s new regional tax breaks?
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