MEI 2026: What It Is and How It Affects Your Payslip (0.15%)
MEI 2026: They deduct an extra 0.15% from your payslip. See the OFFICIAL contribution TABLE and how much net salary you lose per month. Calculate your real case here.
💡 Want to calculate your net salary with MEI 2026 included?
👉 Net salary calculator 2026
What is MEI (Intergenerational Equity Mechanism)?
MEI is an additional Social Security contribution introduced in 2023 to guarantee the sustainability of Spain's pension system given the aging population.
How much do you pay for MEI in 2026?
In 2026, the MEI paid by the worker is 0.15% of your contribution base.
- Worker: 0.15%
- Company: 0.75%
- Total: 0.90%
📊 Practical example:
With a gross salary of €30,000 per year, you pay approximately €45 per year in MEI (about €3.75 per month).
MEI evolution by year (2023-2029)
MEI is not fixed, it increases progressively each year until 2029:
| Year | MEI Worker | MEI Company | Total MEI | Annual impact (€30,000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0.10% | 0.50% | 0.60% | ≈€30 |
| 2024 | 0.12% | 0.60% | 0.72% | ≈€36 |
| 2025 | 0.13% | 0.65% | 0.78% | ≈€39 |
| 2026 | 0.15% | 0.75% | 0.90% | ≈€45 |
| 2027 | 0.17% | 0.85% | 1.02% | ≈€51 |
| 2028 | 0.18% | 0.90% | 1.08% | ≈€54 |
| 2029 | 0.20% | 1.00% | 1.20% | ≈€60 |
Calculations based on €30,000 annual gross salary within contribution bases
Until when does MEI increase?
MEI will stop increasing in 2029, when it reaches 0.20% for the worker. From then on it will remain stable.
Total Social Security contributions 2026
MEI is not the only contribution. In 2026, a worker pays:
| Item | Permanent | Temporary |
|---|---|---|
| Common contingencies | 4.70% | 4.70% |
| Unemployment | 1.55% | 1.60% |
| Professional training | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| MEI (New 2026) | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| TOTAL | 6.50% | 6.55% |
⚠️ Important:
These contributions apply to the contribution base, which has a minimum (€1,381.20/month) and maximum (€5,101.20/month) in 2026.
Why was MEI created?
MEI responds to two pension system challenges:
- Aging population: there are increasingly more retirees and fewer workers contributing
- System viability: ensuring future pensions are sustainable
It's part of the Toledo Pact and the 2023 pension reform, agreed between the Government, unions and employers.
How does MEI affect your payslip?
MEI reduces your net salary because it's an additional deduction on your payslip, just like other Social Security contributions.
Example with €30,000 gross annually (2026)
- Annual gross salary: €30,000
- Total Social Security (6.50%): ≈€1,950
- Of which, MEI (0.15%): ≈€45
- Income Tax (15.3% effective): ≈€4,598
- Annual net salary: ≈€23,452
With MEI at 0.10% in 2023, your net was ≈€15 higher per year.
Which regions apply MEI?
MEI applies throughout all of Spain without exception:
- ✅ Common regime communities
- ✅ Basque Country
- ✅ Navarra
It's a Social Security contribution, not a regional tax, so it doesn't depend on your community.
MEI vs Income Tax: which deducts more?
Although MEI is small (0.15% in 2026), income tax always deducts much more.
Comparison with €30,000 gross (Madrid)
- MEI 2026: ≈€45 (0.15% of gross)
- Effective income tax: ≈€4,598 (15.3% of gross)
Income tax deducts 102 times more than MEI.
👉 Compare income tax between communities
Frequently asked questions about MEI
Can I recover MEI in my tax return?
No. MEI is a Social Security contribution, not a tax. It cannot be deducted or recovered in your tax return.
Do self-employed also pay MEI?
Yes. Self-employed also contribute MEI within their monthly Social Security payment, although percentages may vary depending on the contribution system.
Does MEI count towards my future pension?
MEI is a contribution that goes directly to Social Security to guarantee system sustainability. It doesn't directly increase your regulatory pension base, but contributes to keeping the system viable.
What if MEI isn't applied to my payslip?
If MEI isn't applied to your payslip, it's an error. The company is obligated to apply all official contributions. Check your payslip and contact Human Resources.
Conclusion: Is it worth worrying about MEI?
MEI 2026 (0.15%) is a small deduction compared to income tax or even the rest of Social Security contributions.
With €30,000 gross:
- MEI 2026: ≈€45/year (≈€3.75/month)
- Total Social Security: ≈€1,950/year
- Income Tax: ≈€4,598/year
What can you do?
- You cannot avoid MEI (it's mandatory)
- You can optimize your income tax by changing community or with deductions
👉 Calculate your real 2026 net salary
👉 Compare autonomous communities
📝 Technical note:
All calculations in this guide are made with official 2026 data and are updated with MEI at 0.15%. We use official contribution bases (minimum €1,381.20, maximum €5,101.20 monthly).
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