If you've decided to pursue your professional activities on your own, it sounds like it's time to register as a freelancer. But don't worry, this doesn't have to be as complicated a process as it sounds.
Here we share with you the key points of the process you must follow to register and exercise your professional activity as a freelancer, without suffering along the way.
Requirements and documentation you need to register as a freelancer
The first thing you need to know is that this is a two-part process; the registration with the Hacienda and the registration in the Social Security to the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA).. And although there is documentation that you will have to present in both institutions, you will also have to prepare a separate form (known as a "model") in each one.
At a general level, you should have your personal data and the information corresponding to your economic activity at hand, including:
- DNI, NIE or passport.
- Bank details (linked to the payment of contributions).
- Specifications about the activity to be carried out. Description, place where it will be carried out, etc.
In addition to this, in order to register with the RETA, you must file the form TA0521where you must enter information about your activity and tax data. On the other hand, to carry out the corresponding procedure with the Tax Authorities, you will have to use form 036. form 036or the simplified version of the form 037.
Process and times involved in a self-employment registration
Your first step to becoming self-employed in Spain should be to go to the General Treasury of the Social Security. There you will be able to obtain your affiliation numberin case you do not have one yet, as well as registering in the Special register in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA)..
As mentioned above, in order to register you will need to file the following form form TA0521. In addition, you will need to calculate the contribution base, which will determine the self-employed fee you will pay monthly.
And while we're on the subject, you should know that the first time you register as a freelancer you can access a flat rate with a monthly fee of 80€ per month 80 per month during the first year, which can be extended to the second year if you do not exceed the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).
The registration in the RETA is a procedure that you can also carry out online through the Social Security electronic officeif you have an electronic certificate or Cl@ve PIN.
The second step to become self-employed is to register with the IRS. To do this you must present yourself at the Tax Office and register in the Census of Entrepreneurs using the using the model 036 of census declaration. You can also use the simplified census declaration form 037 may also be used those persons who have been assigned a tax identification number, who do not act through a representative, whose domicile coincides with that of administrative management, who do not represent large companies and who do not carry out distance sales.
You can also carry out the corresponding procedure at the Tax Authorities through the Electronic Office of the AEATas long as you have an electronic certificate or Cl@ve PIN.
Normally, these two steps, which are essential to exercise your professional activity as a freelancer in Spain, can take from 3 to 5 working days if you present the complete documentation and there are no incidents. However, the exact time will always depend on the particular situation of each person and the time it takes for the corresponding bodies to review and approve the documentation.
On the other hand, there are a couple of other procedures that are not mandatory for all self-employed workers, but depend on the type of activity they will perform:
- There are some cases in which the employee must apply for one or more licenses in order to carry out his or her activity. These vary according to the autonomous community and the municipality in which the activity is carried out, so it is important to verify this and carry out the corresponding formalities in advance, since it is necessary to specify them before the opening of the business.
- Those self-employed persons who open a space where they will employ other workers, must the opening of the work center at the Department of Labor of their autonomous community.. In order to carry out this procedure, you will need to present data such as the DNI or NIE, information about the activity to be developed and the workers to be hired.
Now that you have started your way as a freelancer, if you are looking for the ideal place to carry out your activity, a coworking space for freelancers in Barcelona is the ideal place for you. coworking space for freelancers in Barcelona or a coworking space for freelancers in Madrid may be the ideal option, where you will find an excellent location, all services included, and a community of professionals to expand your network and grow your business.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF REGISTERING AS A FREELANCER
If this is the first time, how can I register as self-employed?
You must first go to the General Treasury of the Social Security to obtain your Social Security affiliation number and to register in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA).. To carry out this procedure you must fill out the form TA0521.
Subsequently, you will also have to register in the Census of Entrepreneurs through the Tax Authorities. To do so, you must use the form 036or the simplified version of the form 037.
In both cases, you can register online through the corresponding electronic office, provided you have an electronic certificate or Cl@ve PIN.
What is the initial cost of becoming self-employed?
The procedures for registering as a freelance in Spain are are free of charge. You can carry out all the processes yourself, although you can also request the support of an agency to carry them out, in which case the cost will depend on the service you hire.
Regarding the self-employed fee you will have to pay, if it is the first time that you register, you will be able to access a flat rate with a monthly fee of 80 during the first year. You will also be able to keep this rate during the second year if you do not exceed the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).
What happens if a freelancer does not invoice at all?
If you are registered as self-employed and you do not invoice during a month, you will have to pay the corresponding self-employment fee in the same way. However, if you know in advance that you are not going to invoice for a certain period of time, you have the option of ceasing your activity so that you are not obliged to pay the fee for that month.
On the other hand, if you have no income or it does not exceed €1000 per year, you can choose not to file the Income Tax Return. Although it is worth mentioning that it is advisable to file it anyway, since this way you will have access to the benefits of deductions.