Is it a good idea to do things by the book or not? Many of the doubts about the need to register as a self-employed worker hinge on that question. In broad terms, one of the ways self-employed workers differ from other workers is that they have to make their own Social Security (National Insurance) payments. These are made every month and cover both health insurance requirements and pension contributions.

Anyone whose activity falls into what Spanish law calls the Special Schedule for Self-Employed Workers (R�gimen Especial de los Trabajadores Aut�nomos) and who personally and directly carries out a gainful activity without an employment contract is considered to be self-employed.

Workers who meet any of the following criteria are self-employed:
� Owners of establishments which are open to the public, either as owners or lessees of the premises.
� A one person company who has registered as such and personally and directly carries out a professional activity.
� The self employed agricultural worker, who declares a minimum [�?] tax base of 3,000 euros for his agricultural and livestock tax declaration (or the equivalent in cadastral value).
� The working partners of private limited companies and worker cooperatives.

Necessary steps to register as self-employed.
� Go to your nearest Social Security office to fill in the application form to register in the Special Schedule for Self-Employed Workers. The minimum age for registering is 18, except for members of Worker Cooperatives who can be self-employed from the age of 16.
� Have a National Identity Card (DNI), if you are Spanish, a relevant Work Permit if you are a foreigner, or a Residence Permit for European community members.
� It is optional to subscribe to a mutual society work accident and illness plan. This provides the worker with an income in the event of temporary incapacity for work.
� Register with the Tax on Economic Activities (IAE), at the nearest Tax Office (Agencia Tributaria) to your home.
� If you have never previously been registered with the Social Security, you will have to fill out a registration form.
� If you are going to carry out your activity in commercial premises, you need to apply for a municipal licence in the Town Hall where your business is located.
� If you intend to use a trade name, logotype, trademark or your own industrial design, you will need to register your company in the Industrial Property Register.

 

Online assistance.
The National Association of Self-Employed Entrepreneurs and Professionals (known by the Spanish acronym ASNEPA) have created a macro portal on the Internet with the aim of providing advisory and bureaucratic services for its members, as well as providing orientation in the use new technologies in tax, accounting and labour law matters. One part of the service, which is classified by business sectors, is free for all self-employed entrepreneurs and professionals, and serves as a forum and job bank, and encourages collaboration and the interchange of ideas among its members.