How much should I charge per hour as a freelancer?

It depends on your sector, experience, and net salary goal. A junior developer might charge €30-50/h, while a senior can exceed €80-100/h. An experienced consultant or designer can bill between €60-150/h. Use this calculator by entering your desired net salary to get your optimal rate.

Why does my hourly rate need to be so high?

As a freelancer, out of every euro you bill, you only take home 50-70 cents net. The rest goes to income tax (19-47%), social security (~€230-530/month in 2026), deductible expenses (20-40%), and non-billable time (vacation, administration, sales). That's why your hourly rate must be 2-3 times your desired 'hourly salary'. And no, it's not that you're charging too much: it's that being self-employed costs a lot.

How many billable hours does a freelancer have per year?

Typically between 1,200-1,600 hours annually. If you work 40h/week × 48 weeks (minus 4 vacation) = 1,920 total hours. But of those, 20-40% goes to non-billable tasks: administration, client acquisition, training, internal meetings. That's why 1,400-1,500 actual billable hours is common.

Should I include VAT in my hourly rate?

No. VAT (generally 21%) is added to the final price but isn't your income—you must give it to the tax authorities. Your hourly rate should cover: your net salary + income tax + social security + expenses. VAT is separate and neutral (you collect it from clients and pay it to authorities, though you can deduct VAT from your expenses).

How do deductible expenses affect my rate?

Expenses reduce your tax base, so you pay less income tax and social security. If you spend 20% of billing on deductible expenses, your tax burden will be lower than if you spend 0%. But be careful: spending just to spend isn't profitable. Only include real and necessary business expenses. This calculator accounts for that expense percentage.

Should my rate be the same for all projects?

Not necessarily. You can have a base rate for standard projects and adjust based on: urgency (rush = more expensive), technical complexity, project duration (long contracts may get discounts), client type (large companies vs startups), exclusivity or required availability. The important thing is your weighted average rate covers your total costs.

What if my clients say I'm too expensive?

First, verify they're your target audience. If you bill B2B (companies), your €50-80/h rate is normal and profitable for them (you're saving them hiring a €40,000-50,000/year employee). Second, justify the value: don't sell 'hours', sell results. Instead of '€40/h', say 'this project will save you €X per year'. Third, if they still say it's expensive, they're not your client: find another one.

Does this calculator use correct 2026 Spanish tax data?

Yes. We use current national income tax brackets (19-47% progressive), real income social security brackets per Royal Decree-law 13/2022, and the €5,550 personal allowance. Note that income tax may vary by Autonomous Community (±€500-2,000), and we don't include specific personal or family deductions.

Hourly Rate Calculator

Charging less than you deserve? Discover the hourly rate you need to cover taxes, social security, expenses, and live well. The only calculator with real Spanish progressive income tax.

Desired annual net salary

€

What you want to earn after all taxes. E.g., €24,000 = €2,000/month net. Be ambitious: employees in your sector probably earn this or more.

Working hours per week

Count ALL hours: billable + emails + admin + sales. Most freelancers work 35-45h/week.

Vacation weeks per year

weeks

Vacation + holidays + sick leave + training. Employees get ~5 weeks. You deserve rest too.

Deductible expenses percentage

Typical: 15-20% digital services, 25-35% with office. Includes: rent, software, accounting, insurance, materials, training.

Enter your desired net salary to calculate your rate

How to calculate your hourly rate (without selling yourself short)

Calculating your proper hourly rate is the difference between having a profitable business or working more than an employee for less money. Avoid freelancers' #1 mistake: calculating only 'what I need to survive'.

Define your net salary goal (without undervaluing yourself)

Think like an employee: what would you earn working for someone else? Now add +20% for taking on risk. E.g., if employees in your sector earn €30,000 gross (≈€22,000 net), you should aim for €24,000-26,000 net.

Count ALL your hours (not just billable ones)

If you work 40h/week, probably only 25-30h are billable. The rest is emails, meetings, sales, admin. Enter your TOTAL working hours.

Estimate your real expenses

Rent/coworking, software, accounting (€60-100/month), insurance, materials, training, marketing. Digital services: 15-25%. With office: 30-50%. If unsure, use 20-25%.

Get your minimum rate (and negotiate above it)

The calculator shows your MINIMUM rate. This is your 'I can't go below this'. Ideally bill 10-20% above for buffer. If a client can't pay your minimum rate, they're not your ideal client.

Why your hourly rate needs to be so high

Of every euro you bill, you only take home 50-65 cents net. The rest disappears before reaching your pocket:

Progressive Income Tax (19-47%)

The tax authorities take between 19% and 47% of your profits depending on how much you earn. The more you bill, the more you pay. That's why many freelancers are surprised at annual tax time.

Social Security (€230-530/month)

With the 2026 bracket system, you pay between €2,760 and €6,360/year. Employees don't pay this: their company covers it. You are your own company.

Deductible Expenses (15-50%)

Rent, software, accounting, insurance, materials, training, marketing. Employees don't pay this from their paycheck. You do. And if you don't account for them, you're working for free.

Non-Billable Time (20-40%)

Emails, meetings, proposals, admin, client hunting, training. How much do you charge for this? €0. Employees get paid for these hours. You don't.

Why use our calculator?

The only tool that shows you the real rate you need to charge to make a living from your work.

Realistic calculation with all taxes

Spanish progressive income tax calculated precisely. Includes social security based on your real income and deductible expenses. No generic estimates.

Hourly, daily, and monthly rates

We show your hourly rate, daily rate (8h), and required monthly billing. Complete breakdown: see exactly where each euro you bill goes.

Customizable to your real situation

Adjust weekly hours, vacation, and expense percentage. Because your business isn't the same as others — your rate shouldn't be either.

Frequently asked questions about hourly rates

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Stop calculating. Start invoicing.

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