Service
Self-Employed Registration
We support you from day one: AEAT and Social Security registration, IAE heading selection, tarifa plana, and initial tax planning for your new activity in Spain.
What's included
Set up correctly from the very start.
Getting your autónomo registration right from the beginning prevents costly problems with the AEAT and Social Security that are difficult to fix later.
AEAT registration — Form 036 / 037
We file your census registration with the Spanish tax authority (Agencia Tributaria), selecting the correct form and VAT scheme for your activity, and setting up your periodic filing obligations from the start.
RETA — Social Security self-employed scheme
We register you in the Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos (RETA), making full use of the flat-rate (tarifa plana) and any available rebates to keep your initial contributions as low as possible.
Choosing the correct IAE activity heading
We identify the right IAE (business activities tax) heading for your specific work, avoiding classification errors that can cause problems with the AEAT further down the line.
Contribution base and tarifa plana planning
We explain your options under Spain's income-based contribution system and help you take full advantage of the flat-rate incentive during your first years of self-employment.
Quarterly advance income tax payments (Form 130)
We calculate your quarterly advance IRPF payments so you have no surprises in the annual return and can manage your cash flow with confidence throughout the year.
VAT scheme selection and invoice register
We determine the most suitable VAT regime for your activity (standard, simplified, equivalence surcharge, cash basis) and set up your invoice register correctly from day one.
Our approach
Start right. Avoid the common mistakes.
Many self-employed workers in Spain make registration errors that cause problems later — wrong IAE heading, unsuitable VAT scheme, incorrectly chosen contribution base, or advance payments not configured. Correcting these has a cost.
At GCT1 we know exactly what the AEAT and Social Security expect from each type of activity. We configure everything correctly from scratch so you can operate with complete confidence.
- Correct IAE heading for your specific activity
- Full use of tarifa plana and available rebates
- Quarterly advance payments planned from day one
- Continuity: we continue managing your tax affairs monthly
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- When do I need to register as self-employed in Spain?
- Registration with the Tax Agency (AEAT) and Social Security must be completed before starting any economic activity. Beginning to invoice without being registered can result in penalties and Social Security debt backdated to the first day of activity.
- What is the flat-rate contribution (tarifa plana) and can I benefit from it?
- The flat-rate is a reduced RETA contribution for newly registered self-employed workers. The conditions for access and duration depend on the net income earned each year under current legislation; we review your specific situation to make the most of it from day one.
- What is the difference between direct assessment and flat-rate modules?
- Under direct assessment, IRPF income tax is calculated on actual profit (income minus deductible expenses), while under the modules regime a standard income is estimated based on activity parameters. The best option depends on your sector, expected turnover and cost structure; we analyse both before you register.
- Can I deduct car expenses or home office costs?
- Yes, under certain conditions. Deductibility of household utilities and vehicle use has specific rules under direct assessment. We set these up correctly from the start to prevent issues in future AEAT compliance checks.
Going self-employed in Spain?
Tell us what you do and we'll explain exactly how to register and get started. No commitment required.