What Changes in Spain on 1 January 2026

The calendar flips, and Spain quietly tightens a few screws. Some changes are obvious — like what you must carry in your car. Others are more administrative, surfacing later when you try to file, claim, renew or retire.

If you live here, the headline is simple: Spain 1 January 2026 brings road-safety enforcement, pension shifts, and a clearer timetable for digital compliance. A few big-ticket reforms people expected in early January have also been pushed back.

Here’s what is confirmed, what is delayed, and what to watch.

The one driving rule that will catch people out

From 1 January 2026, the connected V16 emergency beacon becomes the only legal way to signal a stopped vehicle. The old reflective triangles drop out of legal use for this purpose, and non-connected V16 units won’t be valid either. 

The practical point is safety. You place the beacon without stepping into traffic. The connected unit also sends the vehicle’s location to DGT’s platform only when activated, with anonymised data. 

If you’re buying one now, check it’s certified and connected. DGT publishes model guidance and explains what “connected” actually means.

Electric scooters and VMPs: the late-December update you need

Many riders were bracing for insurance and registration rules to kick in on 2 January 2026. In a late-December clarification, DGT confirmed the registry Real Decreto won’t be approved in time, so the prior registration requirement will not apply yet, and the insurance requirement for “vehículos personales ligeros” won’t be enforceable until the register is operational. 

There is, however, an important exception. DGT notes that VMPs over 25 kg and faster than 14 km/h must be insured even without prior registration, with the transitional period ending 26 January 2026. 

This is exactly the kind of detail that creates confusion in January. If you rely on a scooter or heavier VMP for commuting, it’s worth reading DGT’s wording carefully — and keeping an eye on the Real Decreto announcement. 

Pensions: a new calculation option starts this year

From 1 January 2026, Spain begins rolling out a dual method for calculating the pension base. The system can be computed using the current 25-year method, or an alternative approach that draws on a longer period while excluding lower months — with Social Security applying whichever is more favourable under the rules. 

For most readers, the key takeaway is planning. If retirement is approaching, the “best” outcome may depend more than ever on contribution patterns and gaps. The legal framework sits within the wider pension reform package. 

Retirement age nudges upward again

The ordinary retirement age continues its step-by-step rise.

In 2026, it is:

• 65 if you have 38 years and 3 months (or more) of contributions

• 66 years and 10 months if you have less than that 

It’s a small change, but it matters for anyone timing retirement, redundancy decisions or pension top-ups.

Digital compliance: Verifactu has been delayed, but the direction is clear

One of the most useful updates for small businesses and autónomos is a delay.

In early December, Spain’s Finance Ministry confirmed a one-year postponement of the Verifactu invoicing software requirements to 2027. 

That is breathing space, not a cancellation. AEAT continues updating guidance, and the expectation remains that invoicing and reporting will become more standardised and traceable. 

Work and payroll: what’s confirmed, what’s still to be set

Wage and contribution changes often land around the New Year, but not everything is finalised months in advance.

A key point for late December is that 2026 Social Security and labour updates are being published alongside a prórroga framework for the SMI, while the next figure is set, plus other contribution-related adjustments. 

If your household budget depends on the SMI decision (or you employ staff), treat early January as a “watch this space” moment rather than assuming the number is fixed long-term.

Spain’s 2026 public holidays: the national framework

Spain’s national and regional holiday structure for 2026 has been published in the BOE, with regions selecting substitutes where applicable. 

The widely observed national dates include:
1 Jan, 6 Jan, 3 Apr, 1 May, 15 Aug, 12 Oct, 8 Dec, 25 Dec. 

Local and regional variations still matter. This is where “surprise long weekends” — and unexpected closures — are usually decided.

The quick checklist for 1 January

If you do nothing else before New Year’s Day:

• Make sure your car has a connected V16 beacon, not triangles. 

• If you use a VMP, read DGT’s December clarification so you know what is delayed — and what still applies.

• If you’re close to retirement, note the 2026 pension calculation and age thresholds. 

The January shifts to watch closely

A final word of realism. Spain often starts the year with a mix of hard rules and moving parts. In 2026, DGT’s V16 change is clean and definite, while scooter registration, wage decisions and invoicing deadlines sit on a more fluid timeline.

The smart approach is to lock down what’s compulsory on day one — then watch the first fortnight of January for the next BOE and ministerial updates.