https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed There have been lots of rumours in recent weeks regarding new rules on VAT payments for Spain's self-employed. Is it true that 'autónomos' no longer need to charge and declare VAT if they earn below a certain amount? https://www.thelocal.es/20260401/whats-happening-with-vat-for-self-employed-workers-in-spain Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:33:56 +0200 whats-happening-with-vat-for-self-employed-workers-in-spain If you're newly self-employed in Spain, you'll have to get your head around the rules and forms to fill out, but also all the new Spanish work vocabulary. Here are some key words you need to know as an 'aútonomo/a' in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20241017/autonomo-in-spain-essential-vocab-for-foreign-self-employed-workers Thu, 17 Oct 2024 09:49:56 +0200 autonomo-in-spain-essential-vocab-for-foreign-self-employed-workers If you're a self-employed worker or a business owner in Spain, you'll have to start preparing for the introduction of a new mandatory invoicing software next year. Here are some key questions answered about how the new billing system works. https://www.thelocal.es/20260223/qa-what-the-new-verifactu-system-means-for-spains-self-employed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:31:56 +0100 qa-what-the-new-verifactu-system-means-for-spains-self-employed The latest data shows a record number of claims by self-employed workers in Spain who deemed they'd been taxed too much or unfairly fined. A surprisingly high amount of appeals are now being won by 'autónomos'. https://www.thelocal.es/20260130/why-spains-self-employed-should-appeal-unfair-charges-by-the-taxman Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:32:47 +0100 why-spains-self-employed-should-appeal-unfair-charges-by-the-taxman If you're self-employed in Spain or considering becoming 'autónomo' in 2026, there are several important changes to be aware of, from a potential increase in social security fees to the way the Spanish taxman monitors your payments. https://www.thelocal.es/20251217/the-big-changes-for-self-employed-workers-in-spain-in-2026 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:39:46 +0100 the-big-changes-for-self-employed-workers-in-spain-in-2026 Spain’s Tax Agency has confirmed that from January 1st 2026, it will make several reforms to how it monitors bank transfers. Read on to find out what this could mean for you. https://www.thelocal.es/20251216/the-key-changes-to-bank-transfers-and-money-limits-in-spain Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:36:30 +0100 the-key-changes-to-bank-transfers-and-money-limits-in-spain If you're thinking of becoming self-employed in Spain or you're moving over on the digital nomad visa and have to sign up as 'autónomo', there are many factors you should be aware of first, writes Barcelona-based freelance journalist Esme Fox. https://www.thelocal.es/20250325/eight-key-lessons-ive-learnt-about-being-self-employed-in-spain Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:32:56 +0100 eight-key-lessons-ive-learnt-about-being-self-employed-in-spain Following the Spanish government's controversial proposal to increase social security payments for all self-employed in 2026, authorities have now backtracked, stating that fees for lower earners will remain the same. https://www.thelocal.es/20251021/still-a-rip-off-spain-excludes-some-self-employed-from-fee-hike Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:48:14 +0200 still-a-rip-off-spain-excludes-some-self-employed-from-fee-hike Being self-employed in Spain could get even tougher and more expensive from 2026 onwards. https://www.thelocal.es/20251016/spain-proposes-increasing-social-security-fees-for-the-self-employed-again Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:23:19 +0200 spain-proposes-increasing-social-security-fees-for-the-self-employed-again Thinking of setting up a tourism business in Spain? Barcelona-based travel journalist Esme Fox gives us the lowdown on which enterprises can be successful in Spain, as well as adding value to the tourism industry rather than contributing to overtourism. https://www.thelocal.es/20250820/11-tourism-business-ideas-to-start-in-spain Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:57:38 +0200 11-tourism-business-ideas-to-start-in-spain Are you an autónomo in Spain who can't get their head around the social security system? Want to find out if you can pay less in fees and which contribution base you should choose? Here's what to know about the system and how to 'cotizar' in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20250718/self-employed-in-spain-whats-a-contribution-base-and-which-should-i-choose Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:21:53 +0200 self-employed-in-spain-whats-a-contribution-base-and-which-should-i-choose Franchises are seen as a good option for people who want to start their own business but need guidance from those who've made it work successfully. Here's a breakdown of the types of 'franquicias' in Spain, the money needed to invest and the paperwork. https://www.thelocal.es/20250709/what-to-know-about-opening-a-franchise-in-spain Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:33:42 +0200 what-to-know-about-opening-a-franchise-in-spain Are you considering opening an English or multilingual language academy in Spain? From the Spanish bureaucracy to how much money you'll need to invest initially, here's everything you need to consider before embarking on this venture. https://www.thelocal.es/20250708/what-you-need-to-know-about-opening-a-language-school-in-spain Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:18:10 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-opening-a-language-school-in-spain Virtually all of Spain's new self-employed workers (96.5%) in the last four years are foreigners. Where are they setting up shop, what jobs are they doing and what's the reason behind this trend? https://www.thelocal.es/20250604/why-are-all-spains-new-self-employed-workers-foreign-and-what-are-their-jobs Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:09:22 +0200 why-are-all-spains-new-self-employed-workers-foreign-and-what-are-their-jobs If you own a business in Spain and you're self-employed, there are many tax and payment rules and regulations you have to get your head around. Now there is a new one regarding getting paid legally through the popular Bizum app. https://www.thelocal.es/20250526/what-spains-self-employed-should-know-about-getting-paid-through-bizum Mon, 26 May 2025 14:59:00 +0200 what-spains-self-employed-should-know-about-getting-paid-through-bizum Within the next month or two many autónomos in Spain will receive notifications asking them to pay extra social security that they owe. Here's what you need to know, from the reasons why to how you should pay. https://www.thelocal.es/20250416/spains-self-employed-told-to-pay-2023-social-security-bill Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:26:14 +0200 spains-self-employed-told-to-pay-2023-social-security-bill If you plan on working for yourself or setting up a small business in Spain, you'll need to register in the 'autónomo' system. Here's our step-by-step guide on how to do this, from the forms to fill in to the government bodies you must contact. https://www.thelocal.es/20250327/guide-how-to-register-as-self-employed-in-spain Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:26:23 +0100 guide-how-to-register-as-self-employed-in-spain If you rent your property out to tourists in Spain, is it necessary to register as 'autónomo'? Does how much you earn or how often you let it out to holidaymakers make a difference? Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.es/20250326/do-i-have-to-register-as-self-employed-in-spain-if-i-rent-to-tourists Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:05:30 +0100 do-i-have-to-register-as-self-employed-in-spain-if-i-rent-to-tourists Many self-employed in Spain worry about tax bills and social security contributions, but few know that there's a way to save on taxes that involves working with your spouse or another family member. https://www.thelocal.es/20250314/self-employed-in-spain-how-to-save-on-taxes-by-hiring-a-family-member Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:15:29 +0100 self-employed-in-spain-how-to-save-on-taxes-by-hiring-a-family-member If you're a self-employed worker living in Madrid, find out if you're eligible for the regional government's offer to cover your social security payments and how to apply. https://www.thelocal.es/20250219/how-self-employed-workers-in-madrid-can-pay-no-social-security-taxes Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:32:21 +0100 how-self-employed-workers-in-madrid-can-pay-no-social-security-taxes