Check the steps to follow to register as a freelancer.

If you have decided to carry out your professional activities on your own, it seems that the time has come to register as self-employed. But don't worry, this doesn't have to be as complicated a process as it sounds. 

Here are the key points of the process you should follow to register and carry out your professional activity as a freelancer, without suffering along the way.

Requirements and documentation you need to register as self-employed

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.

In general, you should have your personal data and information corresponding to your economic activity on hand, including: 

• DNI (National Identity Document), NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) or passport. 
• Bank details (linked to the payment of contributions).
• Specifications on the activity to be carried out. Description, place where it will take place, etc.

In addition to this, to register with the RETA, you must submit the TA0521 form, where you must enter information about your activity and tax information. On the other hand, to carry out the corresponding procedure with the Treasury, you will have to use the 036 form, or, the simplified version of the 037 form.

Process and time taken to register as self-employed

Your first step to becoming self-employed in Spain should be to go to the General Treasury of Social Security. There you can obtain your affiliation number, if you do not already have it, as well as register with the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA). 

As we mentioned before, to register you will need to present the TA0521 form. In addition, you will have to calculate the contribution base, which will determine the self-employed quota that you will pay monthly. 

And since we are on the subject, you should know that the first time you register as self-employed you can access a flat rate with a fee of €80 per month for the first year, and that it can be extended to the second year if you do not exceed the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).

Registering as self-employed (RETA) is a procedure that you can also carry out online through the electronic headquarters of the Social Security, if you have an electronic certificate or Cl@ve PIN. 

The second step to becoming self-employed is to register with the Tax Agency. To do this, you must appear at the Tax Agency and register in the Census of Entrepreneurs using the model 036 census declaration. Those people who have been assigned a tax identification number, do not act through a representative, their address coincides with that of administrative management, do not represent large companies, and do not carry out distance sales may also use the model 037 simplified census declaration. 

You can also complete the corresponding procedure with the Tax Agency through the AEAT Electronic Office, provided you have an electronic certificate or Cl@ve PIN.

Normally, these two steps, which are essential to carry out your professional activity as a freelancer in Spain, can take from 3 to 5 business days if you submit the complete documentation and there are no issues. 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 carry out: 

• There are some cases in which the worker must request one or more licenses to carry out their activity. These vary according to the autonomous community and the municipality in which it is carried out, so it is important to verify it and carry out the corresponding procedures in advance, since it is necessary to specify them before the opening of the business. 
• Those self-employed workers who open a space where they will employ other workers must notify the opening of the workplace to the Labor Department of their autonomous community. To carry out this procedure, you will need to present data such as your DNI or NIE, information about the activity to be carried out and the workers who will be hired. 

Now that you have started your journey as a freelancer, if you are looking for the ideal place to carry out your activity, a 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 of contacts and grow your business.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF REGISTERING AS A SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL

If it's your first time, how can I register as self-employed?

First you must go to the General Treasury of Social Security to obtain your Social Security affiliation number and register with the Special Regime for Autonomous Workers (RETA). To carry out this procedure you must fill in the model TA0521.

Subsequently, you must also register in the Census of Entrepreneurs through Hacienda. For this you must use the model 036, or the simplified version of the model 037. 

In both cases, you can register online through the corresponding electronic office, as long as you have an electronic certificate or Cl@ve PIN.

What is the initial price to register as 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 quota that you will have to pay, if it is the first time you register, you can access a flat rate with a monthly fee of €80 during the first year. You can also maintain this rate during the second year if you do not exceed the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).

What happens if a freelancer doesn't invoice anything?

If you are registered as self-employed and do not invoice during a month, you must still pay the corresponding self-employment fee. However, if you know in advance that you will not be invoicing for a certain period, you have the option of ceasing your activity so that you are not obliged to pay the fee that month. 

On the other hand, if you do not have 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 submit it anyway, since this way you will have access to the benefits in the deductions.