Going freelance in Spain means becoming autónomo — the self-employed status that comes with its own registration, social security contributions, and tax obligations. It’s very doable, but the system surprises newcomers, so it pays to understand it before you start invoicing.
The two registrations you need
- Tax office (Agencia Tributaria) — register your activity using the alta censal (forms 036/037), declaring what you do and how you’ll be taxed.
- Social security (Seguridad Social) — register under the RETA self-employed scheme to pay your monthly contribution (cuota).
What it costs
Autónomos pay a monthly social security contribution that, since recent reforms, is based on your real net income — lower earners pay less, higher earners more. New autónomos can usually access a reduced flat rate for an initial period (the tarifa plana), which significantly cuts costs in your first months. On top of contributions, you’ll handle quarterly VAT (IVA) and income tax (IRPF) filings.
Your ongoing obligations
- Quarterly filings — VAT and advance income tax returns every three months.
- Annual return — your yearly IRPF declaration.
- Proper invoicing and records — kept in line with Spanish rules.
Get a gestor
Most autónomos in Spain use a gestor or accountant to handle registrations and quarterly filings — it’s inexpensive and prevents costly errors. Read our broader taxes in Spain guide, see life in the capital in Living in Madrid, and find an English-speaking gestor in our Insider Directory.
This article is general information, not tax advice. Contribution rates and rules change — confirm the current figures.
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