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EXTRAORDINARY CESSATION OF ACTIVITY BENEFIT FOR SELF-EMPLOYED WORKERS AFFECTED BY DAMAGES CAUSED BY FOREST FIRES FOR WHICH THE EMERGENCY OF NATIONAL INTEREST HAS BEEN DECLARED IN CERTAIN TERRITORIES OF THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID, IN THE PROVINCE OF AVILA AND IN THE PROVINCE OF TOLEDO IN ACCORDANCE WITH ROYAL DECREE-LAW 20/2026.

The Council of Ministers has approved a Royal Decree-Law with extraordinary measures to support workers and companies affected by the serious forest fires recorded in different autonomous communities.

The aim is to provide a rapid response to those whose activity has been interrupted as a result of evacuations, access restrictions, lockdowns or other civil protection measures. These measures will remain in effect until the end of the 2026 high-risk forest fire season.

More protection for self-employed workers

  • Self-employed workers who have had to cease their activity totally or partially may apply for the cessation of activity benefit through a simplified procedure, without the need to initially prove the existence of force majeure.

The  Royal Decree-Law incorporates exceptional advantages:

  • The benefit may be recognised with economic effects from 22 July 2026 or from the date on which the cessation of activity occurred.
  • The time during which this benefit is received will not consume the maximum protection period generally provided for.
  • The minimum contribution requirement for entitlement to the benefit shall be deemed to have been met.
  • The aid can be received for a maximum of four months and, if the requirements are met, the ordinary benefit can subsequently be accessed.
  • The benefit will be exempt from seizure and may not be offset against other Social Security benefits received in error.
  • Self-employed workers who were enjoying bonuses or reductions in their social security contributions will not lose that right, provided they register again at the end of the benefit period.

These measures aim to facilitate the recovery of economic activity and reduce the immediate impact that the fires have had on self-employed workers and businesses.

 

Access the form for the extraordinary benefit for forest fires here.

Access the guide to the extraordinary benefit for forest fires here

FAQs

This benefit may be claimed by self-employed workers included in:

  1. Special Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RETA).
  2. Special sea workers regime.
  3. Special Scheme for Self-Employed Agricultural Workers.

Provided that:

  • They are covered by the contingency scheme for cessation of activity or are eligible for the reduction in Social Security contributions applicable to those starting self-employment, as provided for in Article 38.3 of Law 20/2007 of 11 July.
  • Having ceased, totally or partially, permanently or temporarily, their activity.
  • Such cessation is a direct and immediate consequence of the damage caused by forest fires.
  • Your activity takes place in one of the affected municipalities in certain territories where the emergency of national interest is declared in the Community of Madrid and the provinces of Ávila and Toledo in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree-Law 20/2026 of 29 July.
  • If your activity has been affected by forest fires and is carried out in territories other than those stipulated in Royal Decree-Law 20/2026, you can request the ordinary benefit for (total or partial) temporary or permanent cessation of activity due to Force Majeure.

Important note:
This benefit does not require providing proof of force majeure (art. 6.1), though it may be requested later.

Where:

Digital submission:

  • The application can be signed with a digital certificate and sent by email. In this case, your identity is verified.
  • If no certificate is available, you must submit the signed original and provide proof of identity.
  • All supporting documentation must be submitted in PDF format (other formats, such as TIFF, will be rejected for storage reasons).

Deadline:

  • Applications must be submitted by 31 August 2026. Once this date is passed, the corresponding penalty established in the regulation will be applied.
  • Economic effects: from 22 July 2026 or from the date indicated in the application on which the cessation of activity actually occurred as a result of the fires referred to in Royal Decree-Law 20/2026.
  • The recognition of the benefit will be temporary, in accordance with art. 6.1 of RDL 20/2026.
  • The benefit may be extended up to a maximum of four months (art. 6.4).

  • To be covered for the event of cessation of business activity or, in the case of self-employed persons, to be covered under the flat-rate contribution scheme applicable to those starting a self-employed business.
  • Be up to date with payments of contributions.
  • That the total, partial, permanent or temporary cessation is directly related to the damage caused by the forest fires, on the basis of which a state of emergency of national interest has been declared in the territories of the Community of Madrid and the provinces of Ávila and Toledo, as set out in Royal Decree-Law 20/2026.

Minimum contribution required:
The minimum contribution requirement of 12 months within the last 24 is considered fulfilled to access the benefit (art. 6.3).

  • Total cessation: 70% of the regulatory base, calculated using the average of the contribution bases over the past 12 months, applying maximum and minimum limits.
  • Partial cessation: 50% of the regulatory base, calculated as the average of the contribution bases over the last 12 months.

The benefit is incompatible with:

  • Paid employment undertaken while receiving the benefit.
  • Paid employment concurrent with self-employment that does not meet the conditions regulated for the ordinary cessation benefit.
  • Simultaneous receipt of the ordinary cessation of activity benefit (POCATA).
  • Any Social Security benefit that is incompatible with self-employment.

Mandatory documentation:

  • Application form available on the website (includes affidavit and Form 145).
  • Identification document.

Documents that must be available to the Mutual Society:

  • Family book if they have dependent children.
  • TGSS certificate confirming contributions are up to date, or if applicable:
    • Resolution on deferred contributions.
    • Monthly proof of payment and compliance with deadlines.

 

  • In the case of partial cessation, proof of:
    • A 75% drop in income compared to the same period of the previous year.
    • Monthly income not exceeding the minimum wage (SMI) or the contribution base on which contributions were previously made, if lower.
    • Any other documentation that the Mutual Insurance Company may request.

Subsequent review:
FREMAP may request additional documentation from 1 January 2027, in accordance with art. 6.1.