Advisers (asesoría) and admin help

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or going through a move to Spain. By the end, you should be able to decide between an adviser and doing it yourself, and to work safely with either.

Start with "Do you need an adviser (asesoría) or can you do it yourself?" It helps you decide based on risk and cost. From there, move on to the pages on services and fees, choosing someone you can trust (including English-speaking advisers), keeping control of your filings, and doing your own paperwork online.

Disputes with an adviser, company accounting and Cl@ve setup are not covered here.

Key rules

• Who is liable: You stay liable for the tax, surcharges and interest even when an adviser files for you, and any claim against the adviser is a separate civil one.
• Your access: Keep your digital certificate and Cl@ve to yourself and give your adviser formal representation instead, so they act with their own access.
• Opening notices: An official electronic notice counts as rejected if you do not open it within 10 calendar days of being made available, and deadlines then run anyway.
• Self-filing: Filing yourself suits only one activity, no employees, Spanish clients and few invoices.
• Language: If you cannot read official Spanish, an adviser lowers the risk of missing a notice.
• Standard scope: The monthly fee normally covers quarterly VAT and income tax returns plus your books, not every job.

Advisers (asesoría) and admin help: the whole process, step by step

• Decide whether to hire an adviser or file yourself (Do you need an adviser (asesoría) or can you do it yourself?): Before you register as an autónomo

• Learn what a standard package covers, which extras cost more and what fees to expect (What an adviser (gestoría) does and what it should cost): Before you ask for quotes

• Compare quotes, check credentials and language, and sign written terms with a notice period (Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones): Before you register, so the adviser can handle your registration

• Give your adviser formal representation and make sure official notices are opened (Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings): Right after you sign, before the first filing falls due

• File quarterly VAT and income tax returns, or check that your adviser has filed them (Doing your own tax and Social Security paperwork online): From the 1st to the 20th of April, July and October, and from the 1st to the 30th of January for the fourth quarter

• Pay your Social Security contribution: Every month, normally charged on the last working day

• File the annual VAT summary: By 30 January

• File the third-party transactions return if you have operations above 3,005.06 euros with one client or supplier: By the end of February

• File the annual income tax return (Renta): Usually from April to 30 June

• Change adviser if the service is not working, giving written notice and handing over records so no quarterly filing falls between the two: At any time, respecting the notice period in your contract

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your NIE — Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones
• Your ID — Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings

Income and work

• Proof that you are registered as self-employed — Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones
• Your IBAN for direct debits and your bank statements — Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones
• Earlier tax filings — Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones
• The representation or collaboration form from the tax agency — Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings

The home and the lease

• The service contract with your current adviser — Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings

Other documents

• A digital certificate — Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings, Doing your own tax and Social Security paperwork online
• Your IAE activity code — Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones
• A signed engagement letter and the authorisation or representation forms — Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones
• The Seguridad Social authorisation for your adviser's RED access — Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings
• Cl@ve — Doing your own tax and Social Security paperwork online

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Advisers (asesoría) and admin help: questions that cross several articles

Can I start doing my own paperwork and hire an adviser later?

Yes, you can file yourself at first and hire an adviser later if your situation gets more complex. Self-filing is realistic with one activity, no employees, only Spanish clients and few invoices. Employees, EU sales or several activities are the usual signs to hire help. Read "Do you need an adviser (asesoría) or can you do it yourself?" and then "Doing your own tax and Social Security paperwork online".

What should I compare when I get quotes from different advisers?

Compare the monthly fee, what it covers, the price of extras, the minimum term, the notice period and any price rise after the first year. Also compare languages, reply times and who handles your official notices. See "What an adviser (gestoría) does and what it should cost" for the scope and extras, then "Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones".

Do I still need to worry about late filings if I hire an adviser?

Yes, you stay liable for late or wrong filings even when an adviser files for you. A voluntary late filing carries a surcharge that grows the longer you wait. Agree in writing who handles deadlines, and read "Giving your adviser access while keeping control of your filings" and "Do you need an adviser (asesoría) or can you do it yourself?".

Are online advisers cheaper than a traditional gestoría?

Online advisers are generally cheaper for simple cases, and some offer English support. Prices depend on activity type, invoice volume and whether you have employees or a company. Traditional gestorías vary by city and by how many invoices you have. Compare both using "What an adviser (gestoría) does and what it should cost" and "Choosing an adviser you can trust, including English-speaking ones".

Fees and plan prices vary by firm and city, so ask for current written quotes.