How to register as self-employed in Spain in 2026 (step by step)

Self-employed registration: fast and from your phone

Registering as a self-employed worker (autónomo) is the first step to starting your own activity. Today this is done quickly and easily from your phone with the Social Security Import@ss app.

TL;DR: registration takes 6 steps in the Import@ss app. First you must be registered for the IAE with the Tax Agency. You need Cl@ve or a digital certificate and a bank account.

Prerequisite: registering for the IAE

Before you start, you must have registered for the Economic Activities Tax (IAE). That is done first with the Tax Agency or the relevant regional tax authority, depending on where you live.

How to start the procedure

1. Identify yourself in the Import@ss app (with Cl@ve, a digital certificate or any valid method).
2. Go to the "Services" section.
3. Follow the path: Registrations, deregistrations and changes → Affiliation and worker registration → Self-employed registration.
4. Tap "Request registration" to begin.

The data you will need

The app guides you and asks for the information in order:

At the start:

• The start date of your activity (the same date you begin contributing).
• The professional activity you will carry out.

About the IAE:

• The body where you declare the IAE.
• The corresponding IAE code.

Other form data:

• The address of your activity.
• The expected monthly net income.
• The contribution base you choose.

Allowances and cover:

• Whether you want the flat rate or other deductions and allowances.
• The mutual insurer that will manage your cover.

Final data:

• Your contact details.
• The bank account for paying the contributions.

Review before confirming

Before confirming, the app lets you review and correct all the data. Double-check the start date, the IAE code and the contribution base: these cause the most mistakes.

The receipt

Once registration is confirmed, you can download the receipt, which is also saved in your documents folder in the Import@ss app. Keep it: it is proof of your registration in the Special Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RETA).

We do it for you

At GovEasy we help you prepare your self-employed registration end to end: we check your IAE is in order, guide you on the activity code, contribution base and flat rate, and walk you through Import@ss step by step.

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Guidance only. The steps and allowances (such as the flat rate) may change; always confirm the current requirements on the Social Security Import@ss portal before registering.