Thinking of freelancing from Madrid, Málaga, or Mallorca? As autonomo in Spain you call the shots, invoice clients, and pay taxes straight to the government. Here’s the plain-English playbook: what it is, what you need, how to sign up, what it costs, and how to keep more of what you earn.
Autonomo in Spain explained
Autonomo = self-employed sole trader.
You bill under your own name, charge VAT (IVA) where required, and pay a monthly social-security quota plus quarterly taxes. No payroll department - just you and the tax forms.
What you need to set up as autónomo
Before you touch the first form, gather these six items:
- Passport photo page - clear colour scan or photo.
- Selfie holding that passport - identity check for the digital certificate.
- NIE certificate or TIE card - front and back images.
- Spanish IBAN bank account - the cuota will be auto-debited.
- Spanish mobile phone number - needed for SMS codes.
- Email address - where Hacienda and Seguridad Social will send notices.
Registration checklist
- Get a digital certificate (certificado digital) - download from FNMT, verify at a police station or online.
- Modelo 036 or 037 at the Tax Agency - declare your activity code (IAE), business start date, and VAT status.
- Register for the Social Security system (RETA) - within 30 days of step 2. Choose the income band that matches your expected profit.
- Activate direct debit (domiciliación) for your monthly quota and tax payments.
- Optional extras - open a dedicated business bank account, register a trade name, hire a gestoría if paperwork scares you.
Prefer to skip the paperwork? renn can handle everything - send the documents listed in the “What you need to set up as autónomo” section and we’ll do the rest.
How much does an autónomo cost in Spain?
* Skip Modelo 130 if 70 % of your invoices carry a 15 % withholding.
Autonomo social-security quotas 2025
In the first year you benefit from a flat‑rate quota of 87 € per month - this discount can sometimes be extended for extra years - before switching to the standard income‑based bands.
Autonomo tax rates Spain
Benefits of being autónomo in Spain
- Wide write-offs - home office, mileage, gear, training, and more. Learn more about which expenses autónomos can and cannot deduct.
- Flat-rate 80 € quota for the first 12 months; extend if income sits below the minimum wage.
- Full public healthcare for you and your dependents from day one.
- Paid parental leave - 16 weeks at 100 % of your base.
- State pension rights equal to employees once you meet the contribution years.
- Cese de actividad - unemployment pay up to 12 months after one year of contributions.
Deductions and savings
- Home office: proportional rent, utilities, internet.
- Vehicle costs: 50 % of fuel and maintenance if mixed use.
- Training & conferences: 100 % if linked to your activity.
- Per-diem meals: up to 26.67 € per travel day inside Spain.
- Travel expenses: flights, hotels, etc.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Under-claiming expenses - claim every deductible cost to legally lower your tax.
- Ignoring the annual VAT summary (Modelo 390) in January.
- Mixing personal and business expenses - keep receipts and bank accounts separate.
- Forgetting to adjust your income band - overpaying quota for months.
- Paying taxes late - surcharges start at 5 % and rise fast.
Autonomo vs. limited company (SL) : legal key differences
Bottom line
As autonomo in Spain you trade company payslips for independence. Gather the six-item kit, register with Hacienda and RETA, budget the 200 € - 590 € quota, and stay on top of quarterly returns. Do that, claim every deduction, and you can run a global freelance business from any Spanish café or beach.
