Does your company publish wages on job offers? Soon it won't be an option. The wage transparency from being a good practice to a legal obligation with sanctions. Directive (EU) 2023 / 970 marks 7 June 2026 as a key date and affects all companies that contract in Spain.
Since when is it mandatory?
The 7 June 2026 is the maximum time for Spain transpose the Directive under its national law; it is not the date on which the obligations are automatically borne by any private undertaking. And an important fact: Spain has not yet transposed the rule —only public consultation of the future Royal Decree has been opened—. The obligation comes, but the final text is not yet published, so it should be anticipated without waiting for the final rule.
What changes: the three key news
1. Before you hire. The candidate must know the salary or the wage band before the interview. Farewell to formulas like «according to value»and it is prohibited to ask about the previous salary.
2. During the work relationship. Any worker may apply in writing for the level of remuneration and the average number of comparable postsby sex. Mandatory wage confidentiality clauses are discontinued.
3. Report of the wage gap, by template:
- 250 or more employees: annual information (first report in 2027).
- 150-249: every three years, first delivery before 7 June 2027.
- 100-149: every three years, first delivery before 7 June 2031.
Sanctions
Non-compliance involves full compensation without e Inversion of the burden of proof:: The company must prove that it has not discriminated.
How to prepare your company
Spain already has a regulatory basis (pay registration and equality plans). It is appropriate to review the evaluation of posts, to audit the current gap, to redesign job offers with pay bands, to define a protocol to respond to requests for information and to eliminate wage confidentiality clauses.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to publish the salary in the offers? The obligation derives from Directive 2023 / 970, with a deadline for transposition until 7 June 2026. Spain has not yet transposed it, but the companies must prepare.
Can I keep asking the salary before a candidate? No: the rule prohibits the basis of the offer on the candidate's salary record.
