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... And no, it's not that you're charging too much: it's that being self-employed costs a lot. The rest goes to income tax (19-47%), social security (~€300-500/month), 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'.

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.

Hourly Rate Calculator

Discover what hourly rate you need to charge to make a dignified living from your work. Stop undervaluing your effort: include all taxes, social security, and expenses in your rate.

Desired annual net salary

€

How much do you want to earn per year after taxes?

Working hours per week

Hours you work each week (includes non-billable time: admin, sales, etc.)

Vacation weeks per year

weeks

Time you don't work (vacation, holidays, etc.)

Deductible expenses percentage

% of your billing spent on expenses (rent, materials, software, etc.)

Your recommended rate

Enter your desired net salary to calculate your rate

How to calculate your hourly rate

Calculating your proper hourly rate is key to making your freelance business profitable. Follow these steps:

Define your net salary goal

Be honest with yourself: how much do you actually need to cover your expenses, save, and live well? Don't undervalue yourself. €24,000 net annually is €2,000/month.

Set your working hours

Indicate how many hours you work per week and how many vacation weeks you'll take per year.

Estimate your expenses

Calculate what percentage of your income goes to deductible expenses: rent, materials, software, insurance, etc.

Get your rate

The calculator will show you the hourly rate, daily rate, and monthly billing you need to reach your goal.

Factors that determine your hourly rate

Your hourly rate must cover not just your salary, but also all costs associated with being self-employed:

Progressive Income Tax

Income tax ranges from 19% to 47% depending on your income. The more you earn, the higher marginal rate you pay.

Social Security Contributions

Social security contributions based on real income brackets (2025 system). The more you earn, the more you contribute, but you also get better coverage.

Deductible Expenses

Rent, materials, software, training, insurance, accounting... All these expenses reduce your net income.

Non-Billable Time

Vacation, holidays, sick leave, training, administration. Not all your time generates direct income.

Why use our hourly rate calculator?

Realistic calculation including all taxes and expenses
Spanish progressive income tax calculated precisely
Considers social security contributions based on income
Daily and monthly rates in addition to hourly
Complete breakdown: see where every euro you bill goes
Adjust hours, vacation, and expenses to your actual situation

Frequently asked questions about hourly rate

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