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 For many self-employed foreigners in Spain, setting up their own business from home is the easiest and cheapest option. But what does Spanish law say about receiving customers if you live in a shared building, or even if you live in a separate house? https://www.thelocal.es/20260922/can-i-run-a-business-from-my-flat-or-house-in-spain Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:18:59 +0200 can-i-run-a-business-from-my-flat-or-house-in-spain Want to impress your Spanish work colleagues? Understanding the most common expressions used in a Spanish working environment is key if you don’t want to get lost in translation. ¡Manos a la obra! (Let’s get down to it!). https://www.thelocal.es/20210630/nine-essential-expressions-if-you-use-spanish-at-your-workplace Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:52:00 +0200 nine-essential-expressions-if-you-use-spanish-at-your-workplace If you’re an autónomo in Spain who is expecting a new baby, you may be wondering whether you can afford to take your full paternity and maternity leave off and what the rules are for returning to work early, or not taking any leave at all. https://www.thelocal.es/20260814/is-taking-parental-leave-mandatory-if-youre-self-employed-in-spain Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:16:54 +0200 is-taking-parental-leave-mandatory-if-youre-self-employed-in-spain Surfing may not be the first sport you think of when you think of Spain, but it is popular, particularly along the north coast and in the Canary Islands. If you have dreams of setting up a surf school in Spain, here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.es/20260806/explained-the-rules-for-setting-up-a-surf-school-in-spain Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:42:37 +0200 explained-the-rules-for-setting-up-a-surf-school-in-spain If you're self-employed in Spain and work from home there are several expenses you can offset against tax. Find out exactly what is allowed in your case. https://www.thelocal.es/20260721/listed-the-tax-deductions-if-you-work-from-home-in-spain Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:42:28 +0200 listed-the-tax-deductions-if-you-work-from-home-in-spain Have you been considering opening a boutique or a grocery store in Spain? A new report from the European Commission shows that Spain remains one of the EU countries where retail businesses face the most difficulties. https://www.thelocal.es/20260724/rules-permits-and-taxes-why-its-so-hard-to-open-a-shop-in-spain Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:11:06 +0200 rules-permits-and-taxes-why-its-so-hard-to-open-a-shop-in-spain Yoga and pilates have become very popular in Spain. If you have a dream of setting up your own studio, here's everything you need to know, from the legal requirements to what else you need to consider. https://www.thelocal.es/20260723/how-to-set-up-a-yoga-or-pilates-studio-in-spain Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:14:17 +0200 how-to-set-up-a-yoga-or-pilates-studio-in-spain Food trucks have become trendy, sought-after additions to festivals and events in Spain. If you're interested in setting up your own food truck in Spain, here's everything you need to know, from the legal requirements to some tips. https://www.thelocal.es/20230317/what-are-the-rules-for-setting-up-a-food-truck-in-spain Fri, 17 Mar 2023 16:26:06 +0100 what-are-the-rules-for-setting-up-a-food-truck-in-spain Did you know that self-employed workers in Spain can deregister from the system up to three times a year and avoid paying the social security fee for that period? It's tricky but worth it, especially if you're going through a rough financial patch. https://www.thelocal.es/20210326/baja-de-autonomo-how-to-deregister-as-self-employed-in-spain Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:06:07 +0100 baja-de-autonomo-how-to-deregister-as-self-employed-in-spain Spain is enduring its first official heatwave of the summer with many suffering in scorching temperatures, particularly those working outdoors. Here's what the country's labour laws say about working in extreme heat, and if it applies to remote work. https://www.thelocal.es/20260623/what-are-my-rights-while-working-in-extreme-heat-in-spain Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:05:24 +0200 what-are-my-rights-while-working-in-extreme-heat-in-spain The deadline for Spain's annual income tax return - 'la declaración de la renta' - is on June 30th 2026. Here's a roundup of everything you need to know about the process, from who has to file it to what taxes and deductions are applied. https://www.thelocal.es/20190403/la-renta-what-you-need-to-know-about-filing-your-spanish-tax-return Wed, 03 Apr 2019 08:21:47 +0200 la-renta-what-you-need-to-know-about-filing-your-spanish-tax-return ‘Autónomo’ fees in Spain are notoriously high but there are a number of expenses that self-employed workers can deduct in order to cut costs on their quarterly tax returns. https://www.thelocal.es/20201208/self-employed-in-spain-seven-ways-to-save-money-on-your-income-tax-return Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:41:54 +0100 self-employed-in-spain-seven-ways-to-save-money-on-your-income-tax-return A new European Union directive on pay transparency means that companies in Spain must provide more information on salaries in the job advert itself and before the application and interview process. https://www.thelocal.es/20260603/new-eu-law-forces-employers-in-spain-to-publish-salary-before-job-interview Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:36:26 +0200 new-eu-law-forces-employers-in-spain-to-publish-salary-before-job-interview Spain has introduced a major overhaul to its flexible retirement system which includes better conditions for current and former self-employed and salaried workers. https://www.thelocal.es/20260529/explained-the-changes-to-spains-flexible-retirement-scheme Fri, 29 May 2026 12:58:44 +0200 explained-the-changes-to-spains-flexible-retirement-scheme Many people in Spain believe the country's Socialist government offers too many benefits which discourage some from working. Does living off the State really pay off? https://www.thelocal.es/20260525/fact-check-is-it-better-to-live-off-benefits-than-to-work-in-spain Mon, 25 May 2026 13:25:37 +0200 fact-check-is-it-better-to-live-off-benefits-than-to-work-in-spain Finding a good job in Spain is notoriously hard, so you need to be familiar with all the different national and international websites to finetune your search and increase your chances of coming across that dream position. https://www.thelocal.es/20230315/the-best-websites-to-look-for-jobs-in-spain Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:44:23 +0100 the-best-websites-to-look-for-jobs-in-spain Ever wondered who has the highest tax burden in Spain? We find out if you ultimately pay more as a salaried employee, a self-employed worker, an investor or a landlord. https://www.thelocal.es/20260512/explained-do-spains-self-employed-pay-more-tax-than-employees Tue, 12 May 2026 15:37:40 +0200 explained-do-spains-self-employed-pay-more-tax-than-employees We all know that Spanish bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with, but these apps can make it just that little bit easier. https://www.thelocal.es/20260514/10-apps-that-will-help-you-with-bureaucracy-in-spain Thu, 14 May 2026 10:17:48 +0200 10-apps-that-will-help-you-with-bureaucracy-in-spain A new report has revealed just how transformative Artificial Intelligence could be for the Spanish job market over the next 10 years, with millions of jobs expected to be destroyed and new ones created. https://www.thelocal.es/20260505/how-ai-will-transform-spains-job-market-over-the-next-decade Tue, 05 May 2026 11:11:16 +0200 how-ai-will-transform-spains-job-market-over-the-next-decade 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 10:57:38 +0200 11-tourism-business-ideas-to-start-in-spain