Spanish government announces planned changes to self-employment benefits

CHANGES expected to be approved shortly by the Spanish government aim to give more help to recently unemployed people who wish to set up as self-employed.

Employment Minister Fatima Banez has announced at a meeting with self-employed workers’ group representatives that the changes will give people a little more help getting started.

People of all ages will be able to receive unemployment benefits for up to nine months while starting out as self-employed, and will also have the chance to take their dole money in one lump payment.

This would give people embarking on a new business project three choices of how to receive their unemployment benefits: by taking the cash as a lump sum, putting it towards self-employment social security charges or a combination of the two.