Register as a self-employed worker
We're here to guide you through every step, from first deciding to go it alone to your first tax quarter.
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Before you register
It might feel like a lot, but there are only a few decisions to make, and we’ll guide you through them step by step.
Autónomo means you work as a self-employed individual. It's simpler, cheaper to set up, and right for most people starting out. You can always change later.
According to a 2024 report from the National Federation of Self-Employed Workers (ATA), about 80% of autónomos in Spain use a gestor. They handle your tax filings, contributions, and give you peace of mind. Typical cost: €50–€120/month.
This tells Hacienda what kind of work you do. It's called an epígrafe or código IAE (Impuesto sobre Actividades Económicas). Don't overthink it — you can change it or add more later, and your gestor can help you pick the right one.
- Take home calculator →
If you haven't been self-employed in the last 2 years, you'll likely qualify for a reduced Social Security rate of around €80/month for your first year.
You can use our take home calculator to see if you qualify for it. You'll need your
DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) or NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero),
tax address,
a rough idea of your start date,
and your chosen activity.
That's it.
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Registration week
Registering as an autónomo usually takes a few days. You can pay your gestor to do it, do it yourself, or we can help you with our gestor partner, Legálitas Negocios.
This tells the tax office you exist as a business. You'll declare your activity code, your address, and your VAT setup. If you have a gestor, they'll handle this for you. If not, you can do it online through the Agencia Tributaria website or in person.
RETA (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos)is a separate step — done through the Import@ss portal or by your gestor. You'll need to:
Estimate your annual net income (this determines your contribution bracket)
Choose a mutual — the mutual society that covers you for workplace accidents and illness
Set up a direct debit for your monthly cuota
Since 2023, your cuota is based on your real income, not a flat rate you pick. You estimate what you expect to earn, and Social Security places you in a bracket. At the end of the year, it's adjusted against what you actually earned — so if you overestimated, you get money back.- Your cuota starts immediately
From the day you register, your monthly contribution begins — even before you earn anything. If you qualify for tarifa plana, it'll be around €80/month. If not, it depends on your income estimate, but the minimum bracket starts at around €230/month.
- You can adjust as you go
If your income changes, you can update your estimate every two months. You're not locked into a bad guess. This is one of the things people worry about most, but it's more flexible than it sounds.
- What 'registered' actually means
You're now in the system. You can issue invoices, receive payments, and you're covered by Social Security. You're officially an autónomo 🎉
Your first month
You're registered. Now it's about getting the basics in place — most of this is simpler than you'd expect.
- Understand your cuota
Your monthly RETA payment isn't a tax — it's Social Security. It covers your pension, sick pay, and parental leave. Think of it as your safety net.
- Separate your business moneyRead about our free business bank account →
You're not legally required to have a separate business account, but mixing personal and business money makes everything harder — especially at tax time.
- Set up your invoicing
Every invoice needs: your name and NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal—your DNI or NIE), the client's details, a description, the amount, IVA (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido—usually 21%), and a sequential invoice number.
- Start keeping records
Track every invoice you send and every business expense from day one. Even if you don't have clients yet, your gestor will need this at quarter-end.
- Know your tarifa plana conditions
If you're on the reduced rate, it lasts 12 months. You can extend it another 12 months if your net income stays below the minimum wage — but you have to request it.
Your first quarter
This is the part most people worry about. But once you've done it once, the same thing repeats every quarter.
- The four dates you need to know
Every quarter, autónomos file Modelo 303 (VAT) and Modelo 130 (income tax). The due dates are:
20 April
20 July
20 October
30 January.
Mark them now or use our no obligations tool.
- What your gestor handles
If you have a gestor, they'll prepare and submit your quarterly filings. You just need to share your invoices and expenses. They'll tell you what you owe.
- How much to set aside
A common rule of thumb: set aside 30–35% of each invoice for tax and contributions. If you're on tarifa plana, it might be less in your first year.
- What happens if you're late
Late filings come with surcharges, but they're not catastrophic — usually 1% per month. File within the quarter and you'll be fine. Your gestor will keep you on track.
- After the first quarter
It gets easier. The same filings repeat every quarter. You'll also file an annual income tax return (Modelo 100) between April and June. Your gestor handles that too.