The reduced starting quota (tarifa plana): who gets it, how long

Terms used

• Alta — The alta is your registration as an autónomo with the Seguridad Social.
• Autónomo — An autónomo is a self-employed worker who pays monthly Seguridad Social contributions.
• Seguridad Social — The Seguridad Social is Spain's social security system, which collects your autónomo quota and pays benefits.
• SMI — The SMI is Spain's minimum wage, set each year by the government.

Key rules

• Waiting period: You must not have been an autónomo in the previous 2 years, or 3 years if you used the reduced quota before.
• Automatic: The reduction is normally applied for you when you register, so you do not file a separate application.
• Extension: Months 13 to 24 are possible only if your estimated net yield stays below the minimum wage.
• Regional aid: Regional and local extras are separate and must be requested from the regional or local office.

What you get

The reduced starting quota is 80 euros a month for the first 12 months after you register. It is a fixed low payment, so it does not change with your income during that period.

Who qualifies

Your past registration history decides this. You qualify if you have not been registered as an autónomo in the previous 2 years. The gap is 3 years if you already used the reduced quota before.

• Count back from the date of your alta, the day you register as an autónomo.
• Time as a collaborating family member counts as registration.
• Time as a company administrator under the autónomo regime also counts.
• Some groups are exempt from the waiting period, for example people returning after a short break or people in certain special situations. If you think you may be one of them, ask the Seguridad Social before you register.

How you claim it

You do not normally apply separately. When you register your alta, the Seguridad Social applies the reduced quota automatically if you meet the conditions. Check your first bill to confirm it shows the reduced amount. If it does not, contact the Seguridad Social straight away.

Extending it for another 12 months

You may keep the reduced quota for months 13 to 24. To do so, you must have kept the reduced quota through the first 12 months. Your estimated net yield for the year must also be below the minimum wage (SMI) annual amount. The Seguridad Social checks this against your tax data held by Hacienda. Estimate your net yield before month 12, so you know what to expect. Ask the Seguridad Social how the income test is applied to you.

Extra help from your region

Many regions add their own aid for new autónomos. This can be a grant covering part of your quota after the reduced period, or bonuses for young people, women or rural areas. Programmes differ by region and change each year. Ask your region's employment or economy department, and your local council, what is open now. Apply for these separately, because the Seguridad Social does not apply them for you.

The timeline, checklist and questions below walk you through the steps.

Timeline and deadlines

• Register your alta as an autónomo; the reduced quota is applied automatically if you qualify: on the date of your alta

• Extension period: keep the reduced quota if your estimated net yield for the year is below the minimum wage (SMI) annual amount: months 13 to 24

Checklist

• Count back 2 years from your alta date and confirm you were not registered as an autónomo, or 3 years if you used the reduced quota before.

• Include past time as a collaborating family member or company administrator under the autónomo regime when you count your registration history.

• Ask the Seguridad Social whether an exception applies if you returned after a short break or are in a special situation.

• Check your first bill to confirm the reduced quota of 80 euros a month was applied automatically.

• Estimate your net yield for the year and compare it with the minimum wage (SMI) annual amount to see if you can extend for months 13 to 24.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the tarifa plana if I was an autónomo before?

Yes, but only if you were not registered as an autónomo in the previous 2 years, or 3 years if you already used the reduced quota before. Time as a collaborating family member, or as a company administrator under the autónomo regime, counts as being registered. Some groups have exceptions, so ask the Seguridad Social about your case.

Do I have to apply for the tarifa plana separately?

No, you normally do not need a separate application, because the Seguridad Social applies the reduced quota automatically when your alta is registered and you meet the conditions. Look at your first bill to see that the reduction appears.

Can my region add extra help on top of the tarifa plana?

Yes, several regions offer extra aid for new autónomos, such as grants covering part of the quota after the reduced period or bonuses for young people, women or rural areas. Programmes differ by region and change each year.