Antonio’s days once began early, with Madrid still waking up. For 44 years, he drove a taxi, often starting at seven in the morning and not finishing until eight or nine at night. Today, his routine is unrecognizable: he enjoys the freedom to do nothing at all.
Asked how he spends his time now, Antonio gives a direct answer: “Now I dedicate myself to doing nothing.” The remark, shared during a street interview by the account @queopinanporlacalle, sums up his new life. After decades of work, he can decide for himself how each day will unfold.
Long Days, Few Breaks
Antonio recalls the rhythm of his working years clearly. Mornings began early, and after a midday pause for lunch, he returned to the driver’s seat for several more hours. The day rarely ended before nightfall. “I used to work from seven in the morning until eight or nine at night,” he says, describing a schedule that left little room for anything else.
His account fits into a longer history of demanding schedules in Madrid’s passenger-transport sector. In a 19 June 1990 report, El País quoted employer representative José Pertierra on the challenge of staffing services that operated “at all hours,” including nights and public holidays. Pertierra also described the difficulty of offering predictable days off and comfortable schedules, while summer holidays were not guaranteed. The report offers a glimpse of the pressures facing transport workers decades ago, alongside Antonio’s account of long days.
Despite the demanding hours, Antonio never lost his fondness for driving. Retirement changed the sense of obligation. Now, he drives only when he wants to, with no passengers waiting and no clock to watch.
Night Shifts and Changing Priorities
In his youth, Antonio sometimes worked nights, but over the years he shifted to daytime hours. He draws a sharp line between the two: “I only worked nights when I was younger, then not anymore.” His reflection, “The night is life; the day is for the workers,” shows how his perspective changed. The city at night, he suggests, belongs to those who can truly live it; the day is for people with obligations.
The 1990 report also described the need for passenger-transport workers to cover night services and holidays, including periods when many people took leave. Its account adds historical context to the irregular hours associated with transport work, while Antonio’s memories give that history a personal dimension.
Antonio spent years navigating Madrid’s streets while many residents slept or enjoyed their leisure. Now he walks those same streets at his own pace, free from work’s demands. The Comunidad de Madrid’s Madrid Movilidad resource area brings together studies and materials on transport and mobility, reflecting the broader institutional setting in which the city’s taxi service operates.
Retirement and a New Rhythm
Retirement has brought a dramatic shift. The days once shaped by a relentless schedule are gone. Asked about his current routine, Antonio gives a simple but telling answer: “Now I dedicate myself to doing nothing.” Behind that phrase are 44 years of contributions to Spain’s social security system, a long working life before this stage of autonomy.
He hasn’t abandoned driving altogether. Antonio still enjoys getting behind the wheel, but now it is a choice, not a necessity. The difference is subtle but profound: driving is no longer work, but a pleasure he can take or leave.
Decades of Work, Millions of Pensioners
Antonio’s 44 years of contributions reflect a long career. In Spain, retirement eligibility depends on age and credited contributions, not simply on how many years a person has worked. Article 205.1 of the General Social Security Law sets a general minimum of 15 years of contributions, including at least two years within the 15 years immediately preceding retirement. In 2026, the standard retirement age is 65 for people with at least 38 years and three months of contributions; for those below that threshold, it is 66 years and 10 months.
Official data show that Spain’s Social Security paid around 6.73 million contributory retirement pensions in July 2026, with an average monthly pension of €1,573.70. The amount Antonio receives depends on factors such as his contribution base and the circumstances of his retirement, as well as his years of contributions.
Freedom After the Taxi
Antonio’s story highlights a sharp contrast. For decades, his life revolved around the taxi, with early starts and late finishes that left little time for himself. Now he strolls through Madrid without a schedule, no longer measuring his day by the next fare or the end of a shift.
His answer to what he does in retirement, “Now I dedicate myself to doing nothing,” is less about inactivity than freedom of choice. After a lifetime of structure, Antonio can decide what each day will bring, even if that means simply enjoying the city at his own pace.
