The autonomous region forms the core of the national economy in the service sector. Photo credit: PP.es
Alberto Nuñez Feijo, leader of Spain’s Popular Party (PP), promised to “let the self-employed work” and argued that residents “should fear the tax authorities no more than they fear corruption.” The remarks were made during a speech that focused on economic confidence and the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain’s labor market. His comments, reported by Spanish news outlet 20 Minutes, drew attention to long-standing concerns among freelancers and independent workers about administrative workloads, supervisory procedures and clarity about tax obligations.
Spain has the largest self-employed sector in Europe, with autonomous governments forming the core of the national economy in services, hospitality, construction, logistics, cultural industries and the emerging digital sector. But despite the economic relevance, dissatisfaction is growing over the rigor of inspections and the complexity of complying with tax and social contribution rules.
context and speech
Economic situation and public trust
Mr. Feijot raised this issue as part of a broader discussion on economic stability and financial predictability for small and medium-sized enterprises. He said a “healthy and productive economy” depends on a relationship of trust between working people and public institutions. Too much bureaucratic pressure, he argues, risks stifling entrepreneurship and undermining small businesses’ ability to plan, hire, expand and innovate.
This message is consistent with the broader political dialogue in Spain on competitiveness and administrative efficiency. Many self-employed individuals highlight the difficulty of avoiding tax obligations, the time commitment required for compliance, and the financial burden caused by mistakes that can result in penalties. Feijot’s comments suggest that reforms should focus on clearly distinguishing between intentional tax evasion and honest accounting mistakes that occur in complex systems.
Policy direction
A commitment to simplifying management
Although the complete legislative package has not yet been formally introduced with this statement, Mr. Feijot pointed out several principles that he plans to prioritize. These include clearer documentation requirements, faster administrative processing, digital simplification of forms, and enforcement procedures that apply proportionality in cases of low-risk discrepancies.
He also emphasized the need for organizational communications to be “predictable, transparent, and collaborative rather than adversarial.” Rather than reducing tax collections, this approach is positioned as a restructuring of how oversight is conducted, with the goal of preserving revenue while reducing fear and uncertainty for law-abiding workers.
Market players say the success of these reforms will depend on collaboration across multiple government sectors, including economic, labor and financial institutions, as well as local organizations with relevant capacities.
summary
- Mr. Feijo argued that self-employed people “should have less to fear from tax authorities than from corruption” and called for greater fairness and clarity in supervision.
- He proposed simplifying administrative processes and promoting a more balanced relationship between the autonomous government and the state.
Reactions from professional organizations have been mixed. Many welcome the recognition of long-standing issues, particularly those related to the emotional and practical burdens associated with continued bureaucratic compliance. Some stress that reforms must be specific, measurable and carefully structured to ensure that the fight against fraud remains effective. Policy advisers point out that a major readjustment must protect Spain’s fiscal health while also making day-to-day compliance easier.
The future of these proposals will depend on political negotiations, broader fiscal priorities, and the state of the country’s economy next year. If developed into concrete policies, it could reshape the operating environment for self-employed people in Spain and influence investment confidence and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises across multiple sectors.
