Vice President Manuel Domínguez announces new measures for self-employed individuals at risk of closure and a generational relief programme in Parliament. The Canary Islands now has 147,975 self-employed individuals, 8,711 more than in 2023.
The Government of the Canary Islands will expand the Self-Employed Support Plan with two new initiatives: a second chance programme for businesses at risk of closure and a generational relief programme to prevent the closure of traditional shops without successors. This was announced on Tuesday by the Vice President and Minister of Economy, Industry, Commerce and Self-Employed, Manuel Domínguez, during his appearance in the Parliament of the Canary Islands.
Domínguez highlighted that the archipelago already has 147,975 self-employed individuals, compared to 139,264 in July 2023, representing an increase of 8,711 self-employed workers since the beginning of the legislature. “Talking about self-employed individuals in the Canary Islands is talking about an essential part of our economy,” he stated.
Second chance and generational relief
The second chance programme, which will be developed in collaboration with the professional associations of lawyers in the islands, will offer credits, mentoring and advice to self-employed individuals who are on the brink of closure. Domínguez explained that it aims to provide “a second chance” to those who have faced difficulties in maintaining their business.
On the other hand, after the summer, the generational relief programme will be presented, driven in conjunction with the chambers of commerce. Its goal is to facilitate the continuity of family businesses, traditional shops and small workshops that are forced to close due to retirements without successors. “We want those long-standing shops to not disappear,” the Vice President emphasised.
Zero fee and other measures underway
Domínguez reminded that the zero fee for new self-employed individuals, one of the government's flagship initiatives, has been increasing in applications: over 3,000 in 2024, 3,700 in 2025, and 4,689 registered in 2026. The first batch has already been paid to 1,079 self-employed individuals, amounting to 1,014,992.12 euros, which is 31% of the total credit of the call, amounting to 3.3 million euros.
The Vice President also highlighted the Self-Employed Support Plan, which keeps all its calls open. Among its programmes are Concilia, to promote work-life balance; the temporary incapacity line; the +one52 programme, which encourages the hiring of the first employee for self-employed individuals over 52 years old; and grants for investment and modernisation through interest rate subsidies.
Additionally, he noted that the IGIC exemption has been raised to 50,000 euros, fuel has been subsidised, and during the upcoming month of August, fuels will continue with the zero IGIC rate. “Those who open their shutters every morning deserve more support and fewer obstacles,” he concluded.
The Vice President ended by assuring that the government will continue to act on taxation, contributions, administrative simplification, aid, reconciliation, training, and stability. “This government wants to stand by those who take risks, those who invest, those who create jobs, and those who keep the real economy of our islands alive.”
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