The initiative follows the May 2025 approval of Royal Decree 402/2025, which allows early retirement for those working in particularly hazardous or arduous professions. In response, Fenadismer and AGTC swiftly put forward a proposal to ensure that self-employed drivers—who currently lack this option—can also benefit from early retirement provisions already available in other high-risk sectors.
More than just driving: self-employed drivers carry the full load
“Being a self-employed haulier is not limited to time behind the wheel,” states the joint report by Fenadismer and AGTC. “It also involves managing operations, planning logistics, and bearing full business risk.” The document argues that the combination of physical strain, mental fatigue, increased responsibility and chronic stress justifies the need for earlier retirement access.
The proposal also points to high accident rates in the transport sector. According to Spain’s Ministry of Labour, 41,132 work-related accidents were recorded in the transport and warehousing industry in 2024—138 of them fatal. With a fatality rate of 12.6 deaths per 100,000 workers, the sector ranks as the second most dangerous in the country, behind mining.
“This is clearly a high-risk occupation that deserves proper recognition and tailored protection,” says Fenadismer.
The proposal: retirement from age 55 with shared contributions
Under the plan, self-employed lorry drivers would be eligible to retire from the age of 55. This would be funded through a modest increase in social security contributions:
-
0.31% for drivers of heavy goods vehicles, and
-
0.15% for other self-employed transport workers.
Fenadismer proposes that, in line with the general retirement system, 80% of this additional contribution be covered by the national budget rather than falling entirely on the individual.
“It’s a matter of fairness. The burden should not be shouldered solely by those already working in the most hazardous conditions,” the federation argues.
And what about phased retirement? A case for the self-employed
At present, only employed drivers can access partial or phased retirement schemes. Fenadismer wants this option extended to self-employed drivers, enabling a gradual transition out of the workforce. The aim is to improve work-life balance, support healthier ageing, and reduce the risk of accidents linked to fatigue and stress.
Next steps: building support and lobbying government
In the coming days, Fenadismer and AGTC plan to present their proposal to other representative bodies of the self-employed in a bid to build consensus across the sector. Once a unified position is secured, the proposal will be formally submitted to Spain’s Ministry of Social Security.
“The self-employed cannot continue to be treated as second-class citizens in the pension system,” Fenadismer concludes. “In a sector where one in three workers is self-employed, meaningful and equitable protection is long overdue.”
