Becoming self-employed in Spain sounded easy, until I met Spanish bureaucracy. By tab eight, I had a headache. By tab twelve, I was seriously considering relocation to Portugal.
Jokes aside, being a foreigner and freelancer settling in Madrid is no cup of tea.
If you’ve landed on this post, I feel you—you just want to do things right. But instead, you’ve probably found yourself stuck in a maze of government jargon, conflicting forums, and acronyms that read like secret codes.
I’ve been there. And while I can’t make Spanish bureaucracy disappear, I can help you avoid the confusion I went through.
So let’s break it down. Here are the 10 questions I wish someone had answered for me before I became autónoma (self-employed in Spain).
1. Can I become self-employed in Spain if I’m not a citizen?
Yes, but not everyone can—and not at every moment.
You’ll need legal residence with work authorization. That could mean a student visa with permission to work, residency as a family member of an EU citizen, a self-employment visa, or eventually a digital nomad visa if working only for foreign clients.
Check your situation carefully. Sometimes the law says one thing, and reality says another. Welcome to Spain.
2. What does being “autónomo” actually mean here?
In Spain, autónomo isn’t just another word for freelancer. It’s a specific legal status that comes with responsibilities.
As a self-employed person, you must pay monthly social security contributions (even if you earn nothing), register with the tax agency, issue proper invoices, track income and expenses, and file your own taxes.
It’s like running a one-person company. You’re the CEO, accountant, admin, and tech support—unless you hire help.
3. How much does it really cost to be self-employed each month?
The short answer: more than you think, but less than a panic attack.
You’ll pay social security monthly, typically between €230 and €300 depending on your income and setup. First-timers may qualify for a reduced rate (around €80). You’ll also pay quarterly income tax and possibly VAT. A gestor (accountant) can cost €40 to €100/month if you decide to outsource the paperwork.
The worst expense is not knowing and getting fined later.
4. What are the exact steps to register as self-employed?
This part is not fun—but it’s doable.
You’ll need a digital certificate, then register with both the tax agency and social security. You'll complete forms with codes that feel cryptic at first but start to make sense over time. I tried to do it alone but gave up halfway through and got help. No regrets.
5. Do I need a gestor or can I do it myself?
If you’re fluent in Spanish, love admin tasks, and don’t mind deciphering bureaucracy, you might survive solo.
For the rest of us, a gestor is a lifesaver. They handle registration, submit taxes correctly, and help avoid fines. For me, the peace of mind is 100% worth the fee.
6. What taxes will I have to pay—and when?
Let’s keep it simple:
You’ll need to track invoices and receipts consistently. Tools and templates help—but nothing beats staying on top of it monthly.
7. How do I invoice international clients?
Yes, you can work with clients outside Spain—and yes, you need to invoice properly.
Include your full name, NIE, address, and tax ID. Depending on where the client is based, VAT may or may not apply. I add a legal note on invoices and use platforms like Wise or Payoneer to avoid steep bank fees.
8. Are there any discounts for new freelancers?
Yes. Spain offers a reduced social security rate for new self-employed workers—known as the “tarifa plana.” It starts around €80/month and increases gradually over time.
Some regions also offer additional incentives or grants, so it’s worth checking locally.
9. How do I organize my invoices, receipts, and taxes?
After lots of trial and error, I settled on this:
It’s not fancy, but it works. If you like automation, there are tools out there—but I prefer keeping things light and human.
10. What are the most common mistakes freelancers make in Spain?
Let me spare you some pain. These are the classic traps:
Nobody gets it all right from day one. What matters is learning fast and staying curious.
Here’s something I wish I had known earlier: you don’t have to go autónomo to work legally in Spain.
If you’re not eligible for self-employment, or simply don’t want to deal with the paperwork, taxes, and monthly social security payments, there’s another option: an Employer of Record (EOR).
EOR platforms like Deel or Remote legally employ you on paper in Spain—even if your clients are abroad. They handle taxes, payslips, benefits, and bureaucracy, while you focus on your work.
It’s especially useful for:
I wrote a full post explaining how EOR works in Spain and when it might make more sense than going solo.
Final thoughts
Becoming self-employed in Spain as a foreigner is totally doable. But it’s not automatic, and it’s rarely smooth. At first, it feels like you’re building a business in a foreign language (because… you are). But once you understand the system, it gives you real freedom.
If you’re just getting started and want help staying organized or feeling less overwhelmed, I’m here. I’ve been through it—and I’m still here, freelancing from Madrid and loving the life I built.
Reach out if you need support. You don’t have to do it alone.
