If you are living in Spain and wish to start your own business here, you need to register as self employed (autonomo) for income tax and Social Security.

You may already be registered for tax (for instance if have already purchased and sold a property here). Please tell us your NIE number and we will check if you are on the Tax Office’s database. If you are, we can proceed to register you as autonomo online without the need for further documentation.

If this is not the case, you should send us copies of the following documents by fax:

• NIE
• Passport picture page
• Certificado de Empadronamiento (Available at your local Ayuntamiento- Town Hall)

It is necessary to present your autonomo registration at your local Social Security office. If you live in one of the major cities and would like us to provide this service, we can arrange for this through our local agents. The documents that we require are:

• Copy of your NIE.
• Copy of your passport picture page.

The current rate is approximately 230 Euros per month and after registration this will be debited automatically to your bank account each month.

There is optional state cover for work-related accidents and illness; the extra monthly contribution for this is roughly 30 Euros.

Once you are registered, you or your accountant must submit quarterly income tax returns and payments on account.

If you are supplying goods or services which are subject to VAT (called IVA in Spain), it is also necessary to file quarterly and annual returns.