Good to know · Work
Register as self-employed (autónomo)
To work for yourself in Spain you declare the activity to the tax agency (Modelo 036), then register in the self-employed Social Security regime (RETA) via the Import@ss app, and pay a monthly contribution based on your expected net income.
- Why it matters
- Freelancing or running a business in Spain needs both a tax census registration and Social Security registration; for non-EU nationals the right to work on your own account also depends on your residence authorization.
- When
- You plan to start a freelance or business activity in Spain, or your residence authorization lets you work on your own account.
- How long it takes
- Inclusion Ministry sheet 14: 3 months to resolve the first self-employment residence authorization (silence = refusal). No processing time found for the RETA alta; the Seguridad Social guide only calls it quick.
- Official page
- Bases y tipos de cotización RETA 2026
- Last checked
- 6 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 6 steps, what to bring (4 items), and tips and what to watch for, with every official source.
Do these first
- Obtain a NIE (foreigner identification number)
- Understand your Spanish tax ID (NIF) and when your NIE serves as one
- Register for Cl@ve (electronic ID for government services)
- Obtain an FNMT digital certificate
- Understand the visa pathways for Americans moving to Spain
- Obtain a Spanish Social Security number (NUSS)