What are the different types of codes in employment contracts?

27 of March, 2025

The employment contract codes are used to categorize the contractual forms that these texts regulate. As you know, these texts are what establish the link between a company and an employee, but they can be of different kinds.

They are numerical keys of three digits, whose meaning typifies that labor linkage. Not everyone knows how to interpret them.

But it is important for you to be clear on this in order to know how to manage new hires in your company. Therefore, we are going to explain everything you need to know to close your personnel selection processes successfully.

Key figures for employment contract codes

Each of the digits that make up the contract code has a meaning. They are designated by the Ministry of Labor itself to facilitate an understanding of these documents.

Also, in order to make their reading easier, each digit appears in a column and provides specific information. For example, the contract’s duration or the type of working day stipulated.

To make clear what each digit means, we will break them down based on where they appear.

The first digit

The first figure we see in contracts ranges from one to five, and each one typifies certain characteristics. We show them to you:

• One. Digit 1 means that it is an indefinite and full-time contract. This name refers to the contractual modality that does not set a time limit. Therefore, it is the most stable and its number has increased with the latest labor reform. It can be of different types. The most common is the ordinary indefinite, but there is also, for example, the one intended for people with functional diversity.
• Two. Includes the indefinite, but part-time. That is, they are documents that imply a fixed contractual link and with no time limit. But it implies that you will not work the full day, but a few hours a week.
• Three. Number 3 applies to indefinite contracts, but of a regular discontinuous nature. In this case, as its name indicates, it is an indefinite contractual modality, but it is cyclical.
• Four. Digit 4 is used to designate full-time temporary contracts. On the other hand, as you will have deduced, this modality implies that you will provide your services for a certain time.
• Five. 5 applies, likewise, to part-time temporary contracts. As its name indicates, they are for a limited time and for a few hours a week.
• Six. Digit 6 applies to contracts for substitution due to retirement. This contract allows the company to hire a new worker who will replace one who will retire within a maximum period of three years. It is a less common but useful modality to plan the succession of the workforce.

Regarding temporary contracts, we have not told you that, in turn, they can be of different types. The main ones are the ones for a specific job or service, the eventual ones due to production needs, and the substitute ones.

The second figure of the contract codes

As with the first digit, the second figure also has a specific meaning that you might be interested in knowing. So you will clearly understand what type of employment contract you are signing or have already signed.

In this case, it also goes from zero to five, but it also adds the number eight. The meanings are as follows:

• One. This number applies to temporary substitution contracts. This figure implies, normally, that you are going to replace another worker who is on leave or in a situation of leave of absence.

• Two. Used for temporary formative contracts. That is, in which the worker alternates work phases with preparation ones.
• Three. Means that it is a contract for people with disabilities, also called functional diversity.

• Four. It indicates replacement for temporary hiring. This modality is outlined in article 12 of the Workers’ Statute. It is agreed to replace another worker who has accessed partial retirement.
• Five. This digit corresponds to contract documents which are linked to employment promotion.

• Eight. The number eight appears in the second column of the contract code for those contracts that are susceptible to become indefinite.

On the other hand, in some temporary contracts you will see a zero in the second column. Precisely, it is used to indicate that they are of finite duration.

The third figure in employment contract codes

Finally, we come to the third digit that appears in contractual documents. Like in the previous cases, this figure has a meaning that is defined through several numbers.

If you want to see the complete examples, you can also consult the Social Security contract codes table.

• Zero. In indefinite contracts, it indicates they are of initial character.
• One. Typify work contracts for service or work. They are the ones that are signed so that the professional performs a certain job. Once finished, the contractual link ends.
• Two. This digit is placed third to indicate that it is an eventual contract due to production circumstances. It is also signed within the framework of an employment program to insert workers into the labor world.
• Three. Number 3 is placed to indicate those insertion cases.
• Four. Number 4 is used to designate predoctoral contracts.
• Six. This digit refers to contracts of the public administration, the recovery plan, and funds from the European Union.
• Seven. This digit is reserved for those contracts for artists, technicians, and auxiliaries.
• Eight. Number 8 refers to the administrative character of the contract.
• Nine. Number 9 is put to indicate that it is a contractual document for transforming a temporary job into an indefinite one.

In conclusion, the codes of work contracts are used to briefly and simply characterize these documents. Thanks to them, you can manage payrolls and other documents without reading the entire contract.

But, if you want to simplify your labor management even more, get the Sesame HR HR software now. You’ll see how everything is easier.

How to improve the management of employment contracts with Sesame HR

Sesame HR offers a comprehensive solution to simplify and optimize the management of recruitment and contracting processes.

Below, we highlight some ways in which Sesame HR can help improve the management of employment contracts:

1. Process automation: Sesame HR automates many tasks related to the recruitment of personnel and contract management, such as tracking dates and managing electronic signatures.
2. Data centralization: with our document manager, all information related to employment contracts and payrolls is stored centrally and securely on a platform.
3. Security and compliance: Sesame HR complies with data protection regulations, ensuring that employees’ confidential information is protected with encrypted data.
4. Analysis and reports: Report generation and analysis in Sesame HR provides valuable information on hiring trends and labor costs.
5. Integration with other systems: the platform easily integrates with other business management systems, such as payroll and accounting software, creating a more cohesive and efficient human resource management ecosystem.

In conclusion, Sesame HR offers you powerful tools to improve the management of hiring in your company. If you want to know more about our HR software, keep reading in our resource section!

Cristina Martin

People and Talent Director | LinkedIn | | Web | +post

Professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in various areas of Human Resources (Recruitment, Training, Occupational Risk Prevention, and Personnel Management). Experience in the Management Department: Broad understanding of the company and HR.

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