David
Accountant · Barcelona, Spain
- 103 cases handled · 10 in this service
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Economia, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader) in Spain
Becoming self-employed in Spain means registering with the tax agency and with Social Security as an autónomo before you start to invoice. An English-speaking adviser handles the set-up and explains your first obligations.
About Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader) in Spain
Self-employed set-up in Spain is the process of registering as an autónomo, the Spanish term for a self-employed worker, freelancer or sole trader. Foreigners search for how to register as self-employed in Spain, become a freelancer in Spain, sole trader in Spain or darse de alta como autónomo. It covers the registrations that allow you to invoice clients legally. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Self-Employed Set-Up Service”.
Who it concerns and when
Freelancers, consultants, remote workers, online entrepreneurs and owners who let property as a business, whether EU citizens or non-EU residents whose permit allows self-employment. Registration is needed before the income-generating activity begins.
How it usually works in Spain
- A Spanish tax number (NIE) and valid ID or residence permit.
- Choosing the activity and the tax regime that fit it.
- Registration in the tax census with the tax agency (alta censal).
- Registration with Social Security in the regime for the self-employed (RETA).
- Setting up invoicing and the first periodic filings.
A reduced starting contribution (tarifa plana) may be available. Rates, thresholds and deadlines change every year, so a lawyer or tax adviser confirms the current ones.
How a lawyer or tax adviser helps
An English-speaking registered adviser assesses the activity and regime, completes both registrations in the right order and explains invoicing and the first filings, then can continue with ongoing tax services for freelancers.
Where this page ends and others begin
- The permit to work for yourself is a separate question, see self-employed visa and digital nomad visa.
- The tax number: NIE application.
- Working through a company instead: business set-up.
Questions and answers
What is an autónomo?
A self-employed person registered with the tax agency and Social Security who invoices clients in their own name.
Do I need a visa or residence permit first?
Non-EU nationals generally need a permit that allows self-employment. An immigration lawyer confirms this.
Should I be an autónomo or set up a limited company?
It depends on income, risk and plans. An adviser compares both from a tax and administrative view.
Do I need a gestor?
It is not compulsory, but many autónomos use a gestor or accountant for registrations and recurring filings.
3 lawyers who provide Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader) in Spain
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Aleix
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 30 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 4+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Business-Management, Universitat de Barcelona
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María
Lawyer · Estepona, Spain
- 184 cases handled
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English
- Law, University Granada
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4.60(5 reviews)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader)
3 registered lawyers provide this service in Spain. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
What our clients say about our service in Spain
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Without my asking, he spotted a way to obtain financial help from the state after I lost my one and only client as a self-employed worker. I had not even realised I could qualify, because I thought my particular case did not apply. He also told me whom to contact, and I was very satisfied with his help. I have already suggested him to my partner, who will soon be contacting him about her own finances.
— Martina08 Feb 2024 -
The lawyer was capable, punctual and knew his subject, and answered every question I asked. The help was excellent.
— Richard11 Aug 2022 -
Communication with the lawyer is quick and easy. He is trustworthy and goes above and beyond, so I feel comfortable leaving everything in his hands. He is extremely professional and supportive and always gives clear explanations, in excellent English. I would highly recommend him, and I have in fact already recommended him to friends and colleagues.
— Lisa14 May 2020 -
I am delighted with the help and service the lawyer has given me on my tax information and on setting up my freelancer documents. I definitely recommend him!
— Richard13 May 2022 -
The lawyer took on our case at very short notice and kept to the deadline.
— Ben08 Apr 2021 -
The lawyer was happy to call me and discuss my situation before sending a proposal. His English is excellent and he explained everything really well. The service is very good value for money, I was very satisfied, and I would not hesitate to recommend him!
— Makis16 Nov 2022 -
His English was excellent, and he explained everything to me, because honestly I do not understand the tax system. He has not finished yet: so far he has sorted out my 2015 taxes, and a couple more years remain. I could not have done this myself, and I am very grateful for his help.
— Christina18 Nov 2020 -
I am very satisfied with the service and would definitely recommend it to friends.
— Laurence15 Sep 2020 -
The lawyer was so amazingly helpful, assisting me remotely while I was in Haiti and in person when I visited Spain. She has a fantastic personal manner and is super approachable, her English is flawless, and I would 100% use her again for future legal advice in Spain.
— Matt11 Sep 2026 -
She was always very helpful, and I would recommend her.
— Jeffrey07 Jul 2026 -
I used the lawyer to witness my Irish passport application, and the experience was excellent. She was professional and accommodating, her English was perfect, and she made the entire process straightforward and stress-free. I really appreciate all her help.
— Jake05 May 2026 -
He was very responsive and went through the details in depth.
— Jiby24 Mar 2026