What you need in place before you can register

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the número de identidad de extranjero, the foreigner ID number used for tax and Social Security.
• Padrón — The padrón is the register of residents kept by your town hall.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is the government's electronic identity system for online dealings with the tax office and Social Security.
• Cita previa — A cita previa is an appointment you book before visiting a public office.
• IBAN — The IBAN is the international number of your bank account.
• DNI — The DNI is the national identity document of Spanish citizens.

Key rules

• NIE: Foreigners must have an NIE before registering.
• Padrón: Padrón registration is not formally required, but it often helps in practice.
• Social Security number: You do not need one beforehand, because it is assigned when you register.
• Spanish IBAN: A Spanish bank account is the safe option for the quota direct debit.

What is strictly required

You need two things in place: an NIE and a way to identify yourself online or in person. You also need a fiscal address in Spain. A Social Security number is needed too, but you get it during registration.

NIE

If you are a foreigner, you need an NIE to register with the tax office (AEAT) and Social Security (TGSS). Spanish citizens use their DNI instead.

• EU citizens: you also need the Spanish residence certificate. It is the usual document.
• Non-EU nationals: your residence permit must allow you to work for yourself.

Address

You need a fiscal address in Spain. For most people this is your home. If you work from somewhere else, it can be the main place of your activity. Social Security also asks for an address for notifications and contributions.

Being on the padrón is not formally a condition of registering. In practice, though, most residents are on it. It often helps you get the NIE, the residence certificate and Cl@ve, and some local offices may ask for proof. Ask your town hall about padrón registration early.

A way to identify yourself

Both offices accept:

• an electronic certificate, including the electronic DNI;
• Cl@ve, either Cl@ve PIN or permanent Cl@ve;
• an in-person visit to an office;
• a gestor or other representative with a power of representation or authorisation.

Cl@ve needs a prior sign-up. If you have no certificate, that usually means visiting an office with your NIE and passport, or doing a video identification where it is offered. Your first registration is therefore often done in person with a cita previa, or through a representative. Book the appointment early, because you cannot register until you have an NIE.

Bank account

The quota is paid by direct debit. A Spanish IBAN is the safe choice. A foreign SEPA IBAN may be accepted, but this varies, and you will need to pay Spanish taxes anyway. Open a Spanish account before you register and keep the IBAN to hand.

Social Security number

You do not need a Social Security number beforehand. If you have never been affiliated, it is assigned automatically when your registration is processed. If you worked in Spain before, you keep your old number.

The documents list, checklist and questions below cover the detail.

Documents you need

• Your NIE (número de identidad de extranjero), the foreigner ID number needed to register with the tax office and Social Security. Spanish citizens use their DNI instead.

• If you are an EU citizen, your Spanish residence certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE), the usual document alongside your NIE.

• If you are not from the EU, a residence permit that authorises self-employed work.

• Proof of a fiscal address in Spain, normally your home. A padrón certificate (registration at your town hall) is not formally required but is often asked for in practice.

• One way to identify yourself: an electronic certificate, Cl@ve, an in-person visit with your NIE and passport, or a representative with written authorisation.

Checklist

• Get your NIE, the foreigner ID number, which is strictly required to register.

• Confirm your right to work for yourself: EU citizens hold the residence certificate, and non-EU nationals hold a permit that allows self-employment.

• Confirm your fiscal address in Spain, normally your home or the main place of your activity.

• Choose how you will identify yourself: electronic certificate, Cl@ve, an in-person visit with an appointment, or a representative.

• Book a cita previa if you need to identify yourself in person, and bring your NIE and passport.

• Open a Spanish bank account and keep its IBAN ready for the quota direct debit.

• Check whether you already have a Social Security number. You do not need one beforehand, since it is assigned at registration if you have none.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be on the padrón to register as an autónomo?

No, padrón registration is not formally a condition of the tax census, but you do need a fiscal address in Spain.

Can I register online if I have never used Spanish ID systems?

Usually not for a first registration, because Cl@ve needs prior sign-up and that normally means visiting an office with your NIE and passport. Some places offer video identification. Many people book a cita previa (appointment) or use a gestor, an adviser who acts for you under a authorisation.

Do I need a Spanish IBAN for the Social Security direct debit?

A Spanish IBAN is the safe option for the monthly quota direct debit. A foreign SEPA IBAN is accepted in principle, but many people open a Spanish account anyway because of the forms and tax payments.

Do I need a Social Security number before I register?

No, you do not need a Social Security number (NAF) beforehand. If you have never been affiliated, it is assigned automatically when your alta is processed. If you already have one from past work, you keep it.