Registering as self-employed in Spain involves two main procedures: registering your business activity with the Spanish Tax Agency (Hacienda) and registering with the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) of the Spanish Social Security system. The good news is that, if you have all the necessary information ready, you can complete both procedures online and start your activity without having to visit an office.
That said, it is important to follow the correct order and pay attention to certain key details, such as your IAE classification, CNAE code, estimated income and contribution base. Here is how to do it, step by step.
What does registering as self-employed mean, and who needs to do it?
Registering as self-employed means formally notifying the Spanish authorities that you are going to carry out an economic activity on a self-employed basis.
In practical terms, the process involves two registrations:
- Registration with the Spanish Tax Agency, to notify the authorities that you are starting your activity and provide information about your applicable tax regime and other tax details.
- Registration with RETA through the Spanish Social Security system, which officially incorporates you into the self-employed workers’ system and determines your Social Security contributions.
As a general rule, anyone carrying out an economic activity habitually, personally and directly on a self-employed basis must register, regardless of whether they work from an office, from home or from any other location.
Requirements for registering as self-employed in Spain
Before you start, it is a good idea to have all the information you will need ready. This includes:
- Being over 18.
- Having legal residency in Spain or, if you are a foreign national, having the necessary authorisation to work on a self-employed basis.
- Identifying the economic activity you are going to carry out and its corresponding IAE code (Impuesto de Actividades Económicas / Economic Activities Tax).
- Knowing your CNAE code, which is used to classify your economic activity.
- Having decided on the start date and business address.
- Estimating your annual net income, as this forecast will affect your Social Security contributions
- Having a bank account from which your self-employed contributions can be collected by direct debit.
- Choosing a mutual insurance company that collaborates with the Spanish Social Security system as part of the registration process.
And one important detail if you are using older information to prepare your registration: form 037 is no longer used. It was abolished on 3 February 2025, and the census registration is now completed using form 036.
How much do you pay and how is the monthly contribution calculated?
One of the first questions people ask when registering as self-employed is: ‘How much will I have to pay each month?’
The answer depends on your estimated net income. Under the current system, in which Social Security contributions are linked to actual income, you must estimate your average monthly net income and, based on the corresponding income bracket, choose a contribution base within the established limits.
The contribution base you choose is provisional and can be changed if your income forecasts change. The Spanish Social Security system also carries out an annual adjustment based on the income reported by the tax authorities.
For this reason, rather than relying on a fixed figure for your monthly self-employed contribution, it is advisable to use the official Social Security simulator, which allows you to estimate your contribution for 2026 based on your expected income.
There are also reductions and benefits available to certain new self-employed workers. The conditions of the well-known flat-rate contribution (tarifa plana) have changed over time, so it is worth checking which reduction applies when you register rather than assuming that a particular monthly contribution will automatically apply.
Check the official self-employed contribution simulator
How to register as self-employed: step by step
Now for the actual process. The key thing to remember is that registering with the Tax Agency and registering with Social Security are two separate procedures, and both are required.
1. Register your activity with the Spanish Tax Agency
The first step is to notify the Tax Agency that you are going to start an economic activity. To do this, you must submit form 036, providing information including the type of activity you will carry out, your IAE classification, your tax obligations and your start date. You must complete your tax registration before starting your activity. The procedure can currently be completed online.
2. Register with RETA
Once the tax side is sorted, the next step is to register with Social Security. Registration is completed through Import@ss, the online portal of the General Treasury of the Social Security system. You can register up to 60 days before your planned start date and, in any case, your registration must be completed before you start working. During the process, you will need to provide information such as your IAE classification, CNAE code, business address and start date, estimate your net income and select your contribution base.
3. Choose your mutual insurance company and contribution base
As part of the registration process, you will need to select a mutual insurance company that collaborates with the Spanish Social Security system and choose the contribution base that corresponds to your estimated income. This is not necessarily a decision you have to stick with for the whole year. If your income forecast changes, you can modify your contribution base within the established deadlines. In 2026, you can make up to six changes per year.
Register as self-employed through Import@ss
Registering as self-employed online
Yes, you can complete the process online. Both the tax registration and the Social Security registration can be carried out electronically.
To identify yourself, you will need an electronic identification system accepted by the relevant authority, such as a digital certificate, Cl@ve or electronic ID. In other words, if you have your paperwork ready and access to a digital identification system, you can complete the registration process without having to visit an office.
Common mistakes when registering as self-employed
Although the process is relatively straightforward, there are a few mistakes that can prove costly:
- Starting work before completing your registration. Social Security requires you to register before starting your activity. If you register late, there may be financial consequences and your contributions may be affected.
- Confusing the Tax Agency with Social Security. Submitting form 036 does not mean that you are already registered with RETA. These are two separate procedures.
- Failing to register within the required timeframe. You can complete your registration up to 60 days in advance, so there is no need to leave it until the last minute.
- Choosing your contribution base without accurately calculating your expected income. An unrealistic forecast may mean that you have to adjust your contributions later during the annual reconciliation.
- Using outdated information. For example, you may still come across references to form 037, but this was abolished in 2025. Tax registration is now completed using form 036.
A workspace for managing your self-employed activity
Once your registration is sorted, it’s time for the fun part: getting to work.
And this is where many self-employed professionals face another question: where am I going to work? Because working from home is great… until your living room starts looking like an office, meeting room and parcel warehouse all at once.
Having a professional workspace can help you separate work from your personal life, meet clients, access meeting rooms and, of course, connect with other professionals.
If you have just registered as self-employed and are looking for the benefits of a coworking space in Valencia, at Wayco you can get started from day one with a day pass or a monthly membership with no long-term commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to register as self-employed in Spain?
Among other things, you will need your identification details, information about the activity you are going to carry out, your IAE and CNAE codes, the start date and business address, an estimate of your net income, a bank account and the information required to choose your contribution base and mutual insurance company.
Can I register as self-employed completely online?
Yes. You can register your activity with the Spanish Tax Agency and register with RETA through the online services provided by both authorities, using the available electronic identification systems.
How long does it take to register as self-employed?
Online procedures can generally be completed directly if you have all the necessary documentation and information ready. What matters most is not so much how long the process takes, but making sure you complete it before starting your activity. Social Security allows you to register up to 60 days in advance.
What happens if I start working before registering as self-employed?
This may be considered a late registration and could have financial consequences, as well as affecting the Social Security contributions applicable to the period before registration. For this reason, it is advisable not to start your activity until all the necessary procedures have been correctly completed.
In summary: registering as self-employed, step by step
Registering as self-employed in Spain is not a single procedure, but two: the Tax Agency and Social Security. First, you must notify the Tax Agency that you are starting your activity using form 036, and then register with RETA through Import@ss.
Both processes can be completed online. If you prepare your IAE and CNAE codes, start date, estimated income, contribution base and other relevant information in advance, the whole process becomes much easier.
The best approach is not to leave it until the last day: planning your registration in advance allows you to start your activity with everything in order and avoid surprises when your first self-employed contribution is due.
