Lorraine Williamson
Why are so many independent workers in Spain saying they’ve reached breaking point? That question echoed through streets across the country on Sunday as thousands of autónomos joined coordinated demonstrations demanding long-promised reforms.
The gatherings took place in 21 cities, from Madrid and Barcelona to Málaga, Valencia, and Seville. They were organised by the Plataforma por la Dignidad de los Autónomos, a group that has grown rapidly as frustration mounts with a system many say leaves them paying more while earning less.
A growing movement tired of shouldering the burden
Spain often celebrates the self-employed as a vital part of its economic engine. Yet many freelancers and small business owners argue that the celebration rarely translates into policy. Organisers of the nationwide rallies said autónomos feel “treated as second-class workers,” navigating a system built around salaried employees rather than people with fluctuating incomes.
Sunday’s turnout showed just how widespread those frustrations are. Throughout the morning and afternoon, crowds marched with banners invoking a symbol that has gained traction in recent months: the squeezed lemon, a stark shorthand for the feeling of being drained financially and emotionally.
The fight over contributions: ‘Paying high costs, whatever you earn’
A central complaint is the quota structure for social security. Although reforms have started shifting contributions toward income-based payments, many workers say the transition remains slow, uneven, and insufficient.
Autónomos continue to face fixed monthly costs, which hit especially hard when work slows. For those whose income fluctuates seasonally or irregularly, a single quiet month can make the system feel punitive.
Alongside contribution concerns, bureaucracy remains a constant frustration. Many demonstrators said they spend more hours on forms and compliance than on their actual paid work. For small enterprises and solo workers, that administrative load can determine whether they survive from one quarter to the next.
‘Nos están exprimiendo como limones’: a slogan that captured the mood
The phrase most often heard during the marches — “Nos están exprimiendo como limones” (“They’re squeezing us like lemons”) — captured the emotional tone. Protesters said the image resonated because it reflects a wider sense of exhaustion: high costs, demanding paperwork, and limited safety nets.
For many, the demonstrations were about visibility as much as policy. Several groups said the system’s structural issues have been tolerated for too long, despite the fact that autónomos make up a substantial share of Spain’s productive fabric.
Part of a wider debate about the future of self-employment
The rallies come against the backdrop of a long-running battle over how Spain should treat its self-employed workforce. Business associations, tax experts, and labour unions have spent years urging governments to modernise the framework to reflect today’s economy — one shaped increasingly by remote work, gig-based roles, and micro-entrepreneurship.
While some protections have been introduced over the past decade, many freelancers argue the reforms have not kept pace with economic realities. Salaried workers continue to enjoy greater stability, while autónomos shoulder the risks of running a business without receiving equivalent guarantees in return.
Will the demonstrations shift political momentum?
Whether the protests lead to immediate legislative change remains uncertain. However, campaign organisers say Sunday marked a turning point: a signal that the country’s self-employed community is now too large and vocal to overlook.
The scale of the mobilisation suggests that self-employed rights in Spain will sit firmly on the political agenda heading into 2026. With many participants promising to return to the streets if needed, the pressure for reform is unlikely to fade.
Momentum for change
Sunday’s nationwide turnout underscored a simple truth: the debate over how Spain treats its autonomous workforce has entered a new phase. With thousands of workers demanding contributions tied to real income and a bureaucracy that doesn’t punish small business owners, pressure for reform is rising. Whether policymakers respond decisively will shape the future of Spain’s labour landscape — and the livelihoods of millions who rely on their own initiative to survive.
Source: Sport