February 18, 2026
Díaz says the new working time control system will be approved soon
The Ministry of Labour is finalizing the approval of the new mandatory digital working time tracking system.
Spain’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, Yolanda Díaz, has stated that the new mandatory digital working time control system will be approved soon. The reform will affect SMEs and self-employed professionals with employees, aiming to strengthen compliance with working time regulations through more reliable, accessible and transparent records.
A fully digital and accessible system
The new model will definitively replace paper-based records and systems that can be easily altered. The goal is to implement a fully digital solution that guarantees traceability, data integrity and remote access for the Labour Inspectorate when required.
Key point of the reform
The record-keeping system must be digital, tamper-proof and accessible, reinforcing oversight of overtime and actual working hours.
Who will be affected?
The measure will particularly impact small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as self-employed professionals who hire staff. Although many businesses already use digital time-tracking tools, they will need to ensure compliance with the new technical requirements once the regulation is officially published.
Entities required to comply
The new working time control rules will apply to:
- SMEs with employees.
- Self-employed individuals with hired staff.
- Businesses currently using paper-based time records.
- Companies with digital systems that lack traceability or remote accessibility.
Objective: reducing unpaid overtime
One of the Ministry’s main objectives is to tackle unpaid overtime. By strengthening digital oversight mechanisms, the government aims to detect irregularities more effectively and ensure workers’ rights are properly protected.
The digitalisation of working time records forms part of a broader package of labour reforms designed to modernise the labour market and enhance worker protection.
Expected technical requirements
Although the final wording of the regulation has not yet been published, the new system is expected to include strict technical guarantees to ensure reliability and prevent manipulation.
Likely system requirements
The new digital time-tracking system will likely need to:
- Provide a reliable and immutable timestamp.
- Ensure clear identification of each employee.
- Prevent subsequent alteration of records.
- Be readily accessible for labour inspections.
- Comply fully with data protection regulations.
Important
Companies will likely be granted an adaptation period after the regulation enters into force, although it is expected to be brief. Failure to comply may result in penalties.
Approval expected shortly
According to the Ministry of Labour, the legislative text is in its final stages and approval is imminent. Once enacted, the reform will mark a significant shift in Spain’s working time control framework, introducing stricter technical and supervisory standards.
Conclusion
The upcoming digital working time control system will represent an important change for SMEs and self-employed employers. Beyond legal compliance, the reform aims to enhance transparency, legal certainty and effective protection of workers’ rights. Businesses are advised to review their current time-tracking systems in advance to ensure readiness and avoid potential risks.
Recommendation
Review your current time-tracking system and assess digital solutions that guarantee traceability, security and regulatory compliance before the new law comes into force.
