Spain Boosts Business Support in 2025 Amid New Credit Regulation Proposals in 2026
Spain's SEF agency expanded business support services by over 30% in 2025, alongside new 2026 legislation regulating high-cost credit companies to protect businesses and consumers.
- • SEF increased assistance services to businesses and self-employed by 31.6% in 2025, providing over 41,000 services.
- • The number of companies registered with SEF grew nearly 9.5% to 33,144 in 2025.
- • New 2026 draft law requires solvency studies for rapid credit borrowers and caps interest rates at 4% monthly for high-cost loans.
- • Asnef views the credit regulation as a milestone for Spain's economy but seeks clearer definitions and market competitiveness safeguards.
Key details
The Spanish regional employment agency SEF substantially increased its assistance to businesses and self-employed individuals throughout 2025, delivering over 41,000 services—a rise of more than 30% compared to 2024. Concurrently, in 2026, the Spanish government introduced a draft law targeting credit companies offering high-cost loans, imposing new regulatory limits to protect businesses and consumers.
According to the Servicio Regional de Empleo y Formación (SEF), the total services provided climbed from 31,159 in 2024 to 41,019 in 2025, marking a 31.6% increase. The number of companies registered for SEF's assistance also grew by 9.45%, reaching 33,144. These services, accessible via 25 offices in Murcia and a mobile unit called 'SEF+Móvil,' include support for hiring processes, contract advice, and information on subsidies. Pilar Valero, SEF's General Director, emphasized that this growth reflects the agency’s effective role in supporting business development and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the 2026 draft Consumer Credit Contracts Law introduces strict measures for rapid credit providers. It mandates solvency assessments for borrowers and caps interest rates at 4% monthly (equivalent to 60% annually) for high-cost loans. The law defines a new category termed 'high-cost credit operators,' offering loans up to €1,000 repayable over three to twelve months. The National Association of Credit Establishments (Asnef) regards the law as a significant milestone influencing not only credit but the broader economy by balancing competitiveness and consumer protection.
Asnef welcomes the new regulations’ objectives but urges clarity on which companies fall under the 'high-cost' classification and requests permission for certain credit establishments to offer such loans to maintain competitive equity. Although it questions governmental interference in setting credit prices within a free market, the association acknowledges the need for caps considering market risk and dynamics. Asnef also highlights the importance of distinguishing between nominal interest rates (TIN) and annual percentage rates (TAE) to ensure accurate consumer comparisons.
Together, SEF’s expanded business support services in 2025 and the new regulatory proposals for credit companies in 2026 illustrate Spain's strategic approach to reinforcing its business ecosystem—from operational assistance to responsible financing regulation.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
