How much is Class 2 NIC for self-employed workers in 2026?

Class 2 NIC is £3.65 per week for 2026/27, up from £3.50. This is paid if your profits are above the Small Profits Threshold of £6,725.

What is Class 4 NIC for self-employed workers?

Class 4 NIC is charged at 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on profits above £50,270 for 2026/27.

Do I still pay Class 2 NIC voluntarily if I live abroad?

No. From April 2026, voluntary Class 2 NIC is no longer available for periods spent abroad. Voluntary Class 3 contributions are still possible but qualifying criteria have been tightened.

Can I reduce my NIC bill as a self-employed person?

Pension contributions reduce your net relevant earnings, which reduces your Class 4 NIC. Making pension contributions is the most tax-efficient way to reduce NIC as a self-employed person.

Tax & HMRC ⏱ 2 min read 📅 Updated Apr 2026

Self-Employed? Your National Insurance Just Went Up — Full Breakdown

Self-employed NIC rates rose in April 2026. Here's the full Class 2 and Class 4 breakdown, how much you'll pay at different profit levels, and how to reduce the bill.

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor, Kaeltripton

Published 3 Apr 2026

Last reviewed 12 Apr 2026

✓ Fact-checked

Self-Employed? Your National Insurance Just Went Up — Full Breakdown

NIC Change — April 2026

If you're self-employed, your National Insurance contributions increased from 6 April 2026. The changes affect Class 2 NIC (weekly flat rate) and the rules around voluntary contributions for those living abroad. Here's everything you need to know.

Self-Employed NIC Rates — 2026/27

NIC Class	Rate 2025/26	Rate 2026/27	When Paid
Class 2	£3.50/week	£3.65/week	Profits above £6,725/year
Class 4 (lower rate)	6%	6%	On profits £12,570–£50,270
Class 4 (upper rate)	2%	2%	On profits above £50,270
Class 3 (voluntary)	£17.75/week	£18.40/week	Optional — to fill gaps

How Much Will You Pay in 2026/27?

Annual Profit	Class 2 NIC	Class 4 NIC	Total NIC
£15,000	£189.80	£146.58	~£336
£25,000	£189.80	£746.58	~£936
£40,000	£189.80	£1,646.58	~£1,836
£60,000	£189.80	£2,255.78	~£2,445

Key change for expats: Voluntary Class 2 NIC is no longer available for periods spent abroad from April 2026. If you're a UK national working overseas and want to protect your State Pension entitlement, you must now pay the higher Class 3 rate (£18.40/week) and meet tighter qualifying criteria.

How to Reduce Your NIC Bill

Bottom line: The Class 2 rise is small in cash terms. The bigger issue is Class 4 — at 6% of profits above the personal allowance, NIC is a significant cost for higher-earning self-employed workers. Pension contributions are the single most effective way to reduce both your income tax and NIC bill simultaneously.

By Chandraketu Tripathi · Updated April 2026 · kaeltripton.com

Editorial Disclaimer

The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA. For readers outside the UK: content is written for a UK audience and may not reflect the laws, regulations or products available in your jurisdiction. Kaeltripton.com and its contributors accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information provided.

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com

22 years in global marketing and finance publishing. Specialist in UK personal finance, insurance, tax and consumer money guides.