Key data
| Regulation | VII National Collective Agreement for Bullfighting — Resolution of July 7, 2026, from the General Directorate of Labor |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 17, 2026 |
| Entry into force | April 24, 2026 (signature date) |
| Validity | Until December 31, 2029 |
| Signatories | ANOET (organizers), FESMC-UGT and FSC-CC.OO. (workers) |
| Affected parties | Organizers of bullfighting events, matadors, novilleros, rejoneadores and assistants |
| Category | Labor Legislation |
| Territorial scope | National territory; in certain cases also events abroad with Spanish professionals |
Organizers of bullfighting events have new contractual and remuneration obligations as of April 24, 2026. The VII National Collective Agreement for Bullfighting, signed that same day between ANOET, FESMC-UGT and FSC-CC.OO., and published in the BOE on July 17, 2026, sets the minimum labor conditions for the sector until December 31, 2029.
The regulation is not optional or negotiable downward: its economic conditions have the character of minimum standard of necessary law, which means that no agreement of lower scope can reduce them. Any company in the sector operating below these minimums is in breach from the signature date.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement structures the sector around the figure of the cuadrilla chief, classified into three groups according to the number of performances carried out. Each group has corresponding minimum remuneration and a minimum number of assistants that the organizer is obliged to hire.
| Group | Classification criterion | Effect on remuneration and assistants |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Higher number of performances (upper tier) | Higher minimum remuneration and greater number of mandatory assistants |
| Group B | Intermediate number of performances | Intermediate minimum remuneration and corresponding number of assistants |
| Group C | Lower number of performances (entry tier) | Base minimum remuneration and minimum number of assistants |
The agreement also regulates the territorial scope of application: it applies to all events held in national territory and, in certain cases, to those held abroad when Spanish professionals are involved.
Regarding validity and extension, the agreement remains in force until replaced by a new one, except for salary formulas and bonuses, which are only extended for six months after expiration. Notice of termination must be given at least three months before December 31, 2029.
Economic and operational impact
For organizers of bullfighting events, the impact translates into two main vectors:
- Cuadrilla cost: the minimum number of assistants varies according to the cuadrilla chief's group. Hiring below that minimum constitutes direct breach of the agreement, with consequent exposure to labor claims.
- Guaranteed minimum remuneration: the salary tables set in the agreement are a floor, not a ceiling. The organizer can improve them, but cannot reduce them even by individual agreement with the professional.
The character of minimum standard of necessary law is the element with the greatest operational impact: it protects economic conditions against any attempt to negotiate downward in sectoral or company agreements of lower scope. This requires reviewing all existing contracts and the sector's usual contracting models.
Regarding partial extension: if the agreement is not terminated on time or a new one is not negotiated before December 31, 2029, most of the articles are extended indefinitely, but salary formulas and bonuses are only extended for six months. After that period, the company is left without an updated remuneration reference, which generates legal uncertainty.
Who does it affect?
- Organizers of bullfighting events (companies and self-employed individuals who hire cuadrillas): obliged to respect minimum remuneration and number of assistants by group.
- Matadors: classified in group A, B or C according to performances; their minimum remuneration is set by the agreement.
- Novilleros: subject to the same classification and minimum remuneration scheme.
- Rejoneadores: included in the subjective scope of the agreement.
- Assistants (banderilleros, picadores and sword handlers): their minimum number per cuadrilla is determined by the cuadrilla chief's group.
- Spanish professionals in events abroad: the agreement may also apply outside national territory when Spanish professionals are involved, according to the cases established by the regulation.
Practical example
An organizer hires a matador classified in group A (the one with the highest number of performances) for a bullfight in Madrid. The agreement obliges him to:
- Pay the matador the minimum remuneration set for group A, with no possibility of reducing it by private agreement.
- Hire the minimum number of assistants established for that group, even if the matador or the company wanted to operate with a smaller cuadrilla.
If that same organizer has his own company agreement that set conditions lower than those of the VII National Bullfighting Agreement, that agreement is automatically displaced in everything that contradicts the minimums of the national agreement, given its character as a minimum standard of necessary law. No court resolution is necessary: the displacement operates by operation of law from April 24, 2026.
What should companies do now?
- Review all existing contracts with cuadrilla chiefs and assistants to verify that agreed remuneration is equal to or higher than the minimums of the VII Agreement. If lower, they must be updated immediately.
- Classify each cuadrilla chief in the corresponding group (A, B or C) according to their number of performances, and adjust the number of assistants hired to the mandatory minimum for that group.
- Review company agreements or own collective agreements to identify clauses that fall below the minimums of the national agreement and correct them.
- Verify the territorial scope: if events are organized abroad with Spanish professionals, analyze whether the agreement applies in those cases.
- Mark the termination deadline on the calendar: if you want to negotiate a new agreement or not extend the current one, notice must be given before September 30, 2029 (three months before December 31, 2029).
- Monitor the extension of salary formulas: if the agreement expires without renewal, salary formulas and bonuses are only extended for six months. Plan ahead to avoid remuneration gaps.
Frequently asked questions
When did the VII National Collective Agreement for Bullfighting come into force?
It has been in force since April 24, 2026, the date of its signature between ANOET, FESMC-UGT and FSC-CC.OO. Its publication in the BOE occurred on July 17, 2026, but the validity is retroactive to the signature date. Its duration extends until December 31, 2029.
What is the difference between groups A, B and C of cuadrilla chiefs?
Groups A, B and C classify cuadrilla chiefs (matadors, novilleros, rejoneadores) according to their number of performances. Group A corresponds to the highest number of performances and entails the highest minimum remuneration and the greatest number of mandatory assistants. Group C is the entry tier, with lower minimums. The classification directly determines the minimum cost that the organizer must assume.
Can an organizer agree to conditions lower than those of the agreement with a bullfighting professional?
No. The economic conditions of the VII Agreement have the character of minimum standard of necessary law. This means that no individual agreement or agreement of lower scope can reduce them. Any contrary agreement is void ab initio, and the professional would have the right to claim the difference.
What happens to the agreement if it is not terminated before it expires?
If not terminated with at least three months' notice before December 31, 2029, the agreement is extended in most of its parts until replaced by a new one. However, salary formulas and bonuses are only extended for six months after expiration, which can generate remuneration uncertainty if a new text is not negotiated in time.
Does the agreement apply to bullfighting events held outside Spain?
Yes, in certain cases. The agreement applies to events held in national territory and, in certain cases, also to those held abroad when Spanish professionals are involved. Organizers who hire Spanish cuadrillas to perform outside Spain must analyze whether their specific case falls within the scope of application of the agreement.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15645
