What do I need to do if I want to become self employed in Spain?

I have no idea at present where to start - so a beginners guide please!

Easiest way is to find yourself a Gestor to get you registered as Autonomo, you then have to start paying into the social security system (minimum is around €240 a month, regardless of earnings, even if zero!).

why do you want to be self employed.do like every one else

My main employment will still remain - so I will be earning from a part time job and paying social security, tax etc as normal from those earnings.

The self employed bit will be a few extra hours of work each week. It's B2B rather that B2C which is why I want to register myself - would that make a difference? If I was B2C, I know it would be a completely different matter!

[QUOTE=valenciatim;6896451]Easiest way is to find yourself a Gestor to get you registered as Autonomo, you then have to start paying into the social security system (minimum is around €240 a month, regardless of earnings, even if zero!).,,,,,AND IF YOU DONT PAY IT THEY WILL COME LOOKING FOR YOU,SO THINK WELL BEFORE COMMIT YOURSELF.

[QUOTE=sirrom;6896724] True, but you are able to de-register then re register again

240 euros seems a bit steep! Is this the standard amount of ss you have to pay?

yep

Nope, it's the minimum, it goes up depending on job type!
But, it does give you and your family healthcare and a pension after 7 years I believe

well, the healthcare is straight away isn't it?

Yes, missed out a comma! Healthcare straight away, pension later

15 years

It is , so now you know why so many people work illegally and why theres a black economy,and if you employ someone their ss is from 400 euroits no wonder so many small business`s go to the wall

Please be careful with Gestors, their ability to do their job properly varies enormously and most of what they do can be done by yourself with a little research. I'm pasting some info on self-employed workers and note the end bit about arrears. I have heard of one person who cannot get their Spanish pension because their Gestor screwed it up.

Information about contributing to Spanish social security as an autónomo (self-employed)


Who has to pay?

Anyone who starts up a business in Spain has to register as an autónomo with the Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social. They will inform you of how much you can pay and what documents you will need to present.

You can also pay as an autónomo even if you are not working, provided you have paid at least three years contributions in any EU Member State during the 12 years prior to starting payments.

How much do you have to pay?

The minimum amount you can pay for 2008 is 244 euros per month. However, the amount you pay will affect the amount of pension you will get when you retire, or the amount of benefit you would be entitled to if anything happens to you, so consider carefully if you want to pay more.

When do you have to pay?

You have to pay autónomo contributions every month for the whole period that your business is running. This means you will have to continue paying during maternity leave and sickness leave etc. You can only stop paying when you officially inform the Tesoreria General (see below).

What happens if you miss any payments?

Missing payments can have serious implications, so always make sure you are aware of exactly how much you have to pay and when, and make sure you pay it on time. The Tesoreria will contact you if you start to miss payments, but they may not do so straight away.

The interest charged on missed payments is the following for 2008:
1st month – 3%
2nd month – 5%
3rd month – 10%
4th month – 20%

Individuals are responsible for making payments, so if you start to miss payments, contact the Tesoreria to organise a plan to pay back the debts before they get too much, or consider closing the business.

How do you stop paying autónomo contributions?

You will need to produce a document from the tax authorities, (form 036), in order to stop paying as an autónomo. You have to hand this document in to Tesoreria within 6 days of stopping ceasing economic activity. You will have to pay until the end of the month in which you inform the Tesoreria.

Make sure you are always aware of your status, as the Tesoreria will not necessarily inform you if you have not followed all the procedures correctly.

What are your healthcare, pensions and benefits entitlements as an autónomo?

Healthcare:
You are covered for healthcare from the first day you start to pay your contributions, the same as a normal employee (someone on the ‘Regimen General’). When you cease to pay your contributions, you will be covered for a further three months, when you are still considered as ‘dado de alta’.

Benefits:
You are entitled to claim the same benefits as a normal employee, with the following exceptions:
ï‚· You cannot claim unemployment benefit.
ï‚· If you started paying your voluntary contributions before January 2008, you could pay a little less and opt out of cover for short term Incapacity Benefit. Since January 2008 payments to cover short term Incapacity Benefit are obligatory. Check with the Tesoreria to see what you are contributing for.
 Your short term Incap payments will be made by your ‘mutua’, not the INSS.

The same as a normal employee, applications for long term Incapacity Benefit which are made when you are not ‘dado de alta’ will only be accepted if you have ‘incapacidad absoluto’ or ‘gran invalidez’. Therefore if you are on short term Incapacity Benefit from Spain and stop paying your voluntary contributions, you may find you are not able to go onto long term Incapacity Benefit afterwards. You are considered as ‘dado de alta’ for three months after ceasing to pay voluntary contributions.

IMPORTANT: If you have any periods ‘al descubierto’ (not paid up) you will not be paid any benefit until you pay all the money owed for these periods. This debt may eventually be cancelled, but you will not be entitled to any arrears.

Pensions:
As with normal employee, you will need 15 years contributions to get a minimum pension. The amount you get will also depend on how much you contributed each month. You will not be credited for any periods that you have not paid your contributions.

IMPORTANT: If you have any periods ‘al descubierto’ (not paid up) you will not be paid any pension until you pay all the money owed for these periods. This debt may eventually be cancelled, but you will not be entitled to any arrears.