Spain’s snap election on 29 November has halted pending cultural legislation, including proposals governing generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the arts. Two social protection measures for cultural freelancers are also in limbo.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the election on 5 October. Royal Decree 806/2026 formalised the decision and dissolved Congress and the Senate, causing legislation under consideration to lapse.
The parliamentary term ends without cultural legislation being passed. The Film and Audiovisual Culture Law also falls away, just as its working group had begun work in the Culture Committee.
AI proposal and copyright office stalled
The preliminary AI bill had just entered public consultation. It was the government’s third attempt to regulate this area.
The Culture Ministry first proposed a royal decree, then withdrew it following opposition from much of the sector. The Labour Ministry subsequently tried the same route.
The Council of State concluded that changes of this scope affected fundamental rights and required legislation.
The proposal permitted “the creation of content relating to the image, voice or results of the work for which the artist was contracted”, provided that its use remained within the purpose of the contract.
Plans for the Spanish Office for Copyright and Related Rights have also stalled. Then Culture Minister Miquel Iceta announced the office in 2022.
It was intended to supervise and regulate collective management organisations such as SGAE and DAMA, and represent the sector in international negotiations, particularly within the European Union.
Artist Statute employment rules remain on schedule
The employment provisions of the Artist Statute remain in place. Royal Decree 607/2026 regulates the special employment relationship for artists and technical and support personnel.
It appeared in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 25 July and will take effect on 25 May 2027. Its implementation does not depend on parliament.
The Council of Ministers approved the new Artist Statute in July, although unions criticised the exclusion of protection against AI.
Freelancer support measures left unresolved
Two measures for self-employed workers were due to be approved through the film law:
- An increase in the annual net-income threshold for the reduced self-employed contribution of 167 euros per month. Approved in 2023 for earnings of up to 3,000 euros annually, the threshold would rise to 4,000 euros.
- A benefit for cessation of activity of 600 euros per month for two months.
The Social Security Ministry had just approved both measures following lengthy negotiations.
Sector representatives call for action
Carlota Navarrete, director of the Coalition of Creators, called for urgency in the next parliamentary term:
“Unfortunately, neither this nor other crucial projects for the sector, such as those seeking to transpose the European digital services regulation or address the use of AI in the cultural sphere, have come to fruition, and that makes the next parliamentary term even more urgent.”
Isaac Vivero, president of ACCES, thanked Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun for his “unprecedented engagement” with the sector and warned:
“We could see numerous closures without appropriate policies focused on supporting the grassroots music scene.”
His proposals include a symbolic contribution from each ticket sold at large events and the restoration of support for venue programming.
As implementation of the European AI regulation progresses, Spain remains without its own framework governing the use of performers’ voices and likenesses. The planned body overseeing collective management organisations also remains unestablished.
The next government will have to decide whether to revive the proposals as they stood or start again, determining the timetable for any new approval.
