Articles · Business in Spain

Business in Spain: autónomo, S.L. and taxes without illusions

Here you'll find practical guides for those planning their own business in Spain: registering as an autónomo (self-employed), launching an S.L. company, the taxes IVA, IRPF and impuesto de sociedades and a step-by-step launch plan for the immigrant entrepreneur. Three principles of this section:

Primary sources only. Every figure and procedure comes with a link to the BOE, Agencia Tributaria or Seguridad Social (the Spanish social security system) — not to forum retellings.
Real procedures, step by step. Alta en Hacienda (registration with the Spanish tax authority), RETA contributions, the notary and the Registro Mercantil — how it works in practice and how long it takes.
No workaround schemes. We only cover legal ways to do business in Spain.

The key requirement is a legal status with the right to work. Without a residence permit that allows such activity, you can neither work as an autónomo nor fully run an S.L. If you don't have a status yet, start with the article “How to Get a Residence Permit in Spain” — and the related services block below will point you to the routes that suit entrepreneurs in particular.

Where to start: if you're still choosing between the two forms — autónomo or S.L. — start with the overview article “Your Own Business in Spain”, then move on to the dedicated guides on registration and taxes.

Articles in This Section

Self-Employment

How to Become an Autónomo in Spain: Registration, Contributions and Taxes

Alta en Hacienda (Modelo 036), registering with RETA, the cuota based on real income, IRPF and Modelo 130, IVA and Modelo 303 — the entire self-employed path, step by step.

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Company

Opening an S.L. Company in Spain: Step by Step, Capital and Timelines

Founders and the NIE (foreigner identification number), share capital from 1 €, the notary and the escritura, obtaining a NIF, registration in the Registro Mercantil, a bank account — stages, timelines and typical mistakes.

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Taxes

Business Taxes in Spain: IVA, IRPF and Impuesto de Sociedades

IVA rates of 21/10/4 %, IRPF for autónomos, 25 % corporate tax for an S.L., the filing calendar (Modelo 303, 390, 111, 200, 202) and Verifactu requirements.

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Getting Started

Your Own Business in Spain: Where an Immigrant Entrepreneur Should Start

A legal status with the right to do business, choosing between autónomo and S.L., a bank account, why you need a gestor (an administrative and tax agent) and the mistakes most often made at the start.

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Related Services and Sections

Business almost always goes hand in hand with legalization and tax planning — these pages will help you see the full picture:

Digital Nomad Residence Permit (DNV)Remote work and freelancing for foreign clients — often the first status of a future entrepreneur. Taxes in SpainTax residency, the 183-day rule and the Beckham regime — the essentials to know before launching a business. Residence Permit RenewalHow your business activity and income are taken into account when renewing your residence. Questions and AnswersA “question — lawyer's answer” format: statuses, documents, timelines and real-world practice in Spain.

This section is for reference: rates, contributions and declaration forms in Spain are revised regularly, and the optimal setup depends on your status and turnover. Before registering a business, double-check the details against current official publications and with a specialist who knows your situation.

First a Legal Status, Then the Business Free case review: we'll find the residence permit route that fits your situation and tell you which form of activity is open to you.

Find Your Residence Permit — Free