Taxes in Spain: Your Tax Strategy for Legal Living
At DreamLife, we use the Dream Way Framework - a proven 7-step relocation methodology that transforms your dream into your actual life.
Most people think relocation starts with visas and documents. They're wrong.
When we start thinking about finances during relocation, we immediately analyze:
- What is your tax situation in your home country?
- Will you become a Spanish tax resident?
- How to properly structure your activity in Spain?
- What tax obligations await you?
Because before we discuss which visa, which business to open, in what status to work - we need to understand your tax reality:
- What type of income will you have in Spain?
- Do you need registration as self-employed (autónomo)?
- Or is it better to open a company (SL)?
- What are the tax implications of each option?
- How to optimize taxes legally?
Taxes in Spain aren't just "filing a declaration." It's part of your legal integration strategy that considers:
- Your visa status and residency plans
- Your type of activity and income structure
- Tax residency (Spain vs. other countries)
- Optimal structure for your business
We offer both strategic consulting AND execution services.
1. What this step means
Taxes in Spain are more than just compliance - it's smart structuring of your activity for legal and financially efficient living.
The right tax strategy considers:
- Your visa type and legal status
- Tax residency (Spanish vs. home country)
- Your type of activity (employee, self-employed, business)
- Income and expense structure
- International double taxation treaties
- Legal tax optimization methods
Critical insight: Wrong tax status choice can cost you thousands of euros per year. Autónomo isn't for everyone. SL isn't a universal solution either. Everything depends on your specific situation.
The right tax structure provides:- Legal activity in Spain
- Tax burden optimization
- Possibility to obtain entrepreneur visa
- Access to social security and healthcare
- Ability to hire employees
- Building business history in Spain
Without proper structure you risk:
- Tax authority penalties
- Visa and residency problems
- Tax overpayment
- Business operation limitations
2. Why people fail here
Wrong approach: Registration without strategyThey think: "I need to quickly register as autónomo" and rush to open self-employment. Result:
- Wrong tax status for their activity
- Overpaying taxes and contributions
- Tax problems after a year
- Need to redo everything
What they miss:They don't consider:
- Which status is optimal for my income type?
- Do I need a company or is autónomo enough?
- What are the real costs of each option?
- How does this affect my visa and tax residency?
- What legal optimization options exist?
Common failures:Wrong choice between autónomo and SLThey open autónomo because "it's simpler," then realize a year later that SL would have been more profitable for their revenue.
Ignorance of tax obligationsThey register, then shocked by €294/month to social security + quarterly taxes + annual declaration.
Lack of tax planningDon't know about legal deductions, benefits for new autónomos, optimization through professional expenses.
Document problemsTry to register themselves, don't understand the Spanish system, make mistakes in forms, waste weeks.
Real client story:Anna opened autónomo independently through a consultant who didn't explain all consequences. After 6 months she realized that:
- She pays €294/month to social security even when there's no income
- Didn't account for quarterly taxes - received a €2,000 bill
- Chose wrong activity code (CNAE) - limited her opportunities
- Didn't know about new autónomo benefits - overpaid €1,200 per year
If she'd consulted us first: We would have shown her the complete cost picture, helped choose the right activity code, arranged benefits, explained all tax obligations and deadlines.
3. What decisions are made
At this step, you need strategic clarity on:
What tax status do you need?
Autónomo (self-employed) - if:- You work alone or with minimal team
- Your annual revenue is up to €40,000-60,000
- You provide services or work as freelancer
- You want simplicity in management
SL (company) - if:- Annual revenue above €60,000
- Planning to scale business
- Want to attract investments
- Need personal asset protection
- Tax optimization through dividends
Wrong choice = overpaying thousands of euros per year.What's your tax strategy?
Critical questions:
- Will you become a Spanish tax resident?
- How to structure income for optimization?
- What legal deductions are available?
- What benefits can be used?
- How to combine with visa strategy?
Example: Digital nomad with clients worldwide needs different structure than local Barcelona business. One consultation saves tens of thousands of euros.
When to register?
Optimal timing:- After receiving NIE
- After opening bank account
- Coordinated with visa strategy
- Considering tax calendar (benefits for new autónomos)
Many register too early or too late, losing benefits or facing visa problems.
4. How DreamLife supports youAvailable Services
We offer three levels of service - from strategic consulting to full registration:
DREAM TAX CONSULTING
Tax strategy for Spanish residency and business
€250 + VAT[Order Service →]
Who it's for:- You're planning to work or run business in Spain
- Don't know whether to choose autónomo or SL
- Want to optimize taxes legally
- Need clarity on tax obligations
What's included:✅ 60-minute consultation with tax specialist
✅ Analysis of your current situation and plans
✅ Recommendations on optimal structure (autónomo vs SL)
✅ Calculation of real tax costs for each option
✅ Explanation of tax residency rules
✅ Legal tax optimization strategy
✅ Roadmap with steps and timelines
MINI DREAM BUSINESS
Full self-employed (Autónomo) registration
€500 + VAT[Order Service →]
Who it's for:- Entrepreneurs planning to work as self-employed (autónomo) in Spain
- Freelancers and consultants
- Small businesses and startups
- Those who want to work legally in Spain
What's included:✅ Registration as self-employed (Autónomo) in social security system
✅ NIE acquisition (if not yet obtained)
✅ Registration with tax agency (Hacienda) - filing model 036/037
✅ Registration in social security system (RETA)
✅ Selection of appropriate economic activity (CNAE)
✅ Registration with mutual insurance society (Mutua)
✅ Obtaining contribution account code (Código de Cuenta de Cotización)
✅ Notification of activity start to relevant authorities
✅ Basic consultation on tax obligations
✅ Personalized WhatsApp support
What's NOT included:❌ Monthly social security payments (from €294/month)
❌ Municipal licenses and permits
❌ Tax support after registration
❌ Accounting services
Timeline: 1-2 weeks from start to full registration
DREAM BIG BUSINESS
Full company (SL) registration
€1,500 + VAT[Order Service →]
Who it's for:- Entrepreneurs planning to create a company (SL) in Spain
- Businesses with revenue above €60,000/year
- Those who want scalable structure
- Investors and serious projects
What's included:✅ Company name registration in Central Commercial Registry
✅ Preparation and registration of company bylaws
✅ Opening corporate bank account
✅ Signing founding deed with notary
✅ Obtaining temporary and permanent company NIF
✅ Registration in provincial commercial registry
✅ Filing property transfer tax declaration (ITP)
✅ Obtaining company digital certificate
✅ Comprehensive legal consultation
✅ Legal support throughout entire process
What's NOT included:❌ Minimum share capital (€3,000)
❌ Notary expenses (€600-1,200)
❌ Government fees:
• Name certificate: €13.52
• Commercial registry registration: €170
❌ Accounting after registration
Timeline: 3-4 weeks from start to full company registration
Note: We strongly recommend starting with Dream Tax Consulting (€250) to choose the right structure between autónomo and SL. However, if you're already certain of your choice, you can order Mini Dream Business (€500) or Dream Big Business (€1,500) directly.
5. Available services (Summary)
DREAM TAX CONSULTING - €250 + VATTax strategy: Autónomo vs SL? How to optimize? What obligations?
Duration: 60 minutes
Outcome: Clear tax strategy and action plan
[Book Consultation →]
MINI DREAM BUSINESS - €500 + VATFull Autónomo registration: We register you as self-employed
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Outcome: Legal autónomo status, ready to work
[Book Service →]
DREAM BIG BUSINESS - €1,500 + VATFull SL registration: We create your turnkey company
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Outcome: Registered SL company with NIF and bank account
[Book Service →]
Common client scenarios:
"I'm a freelancer, working remotely - what do I need?"Book Dream Tax Consulting (€250). We'll determine if you need autónomo and when to register.
"I want to open a business in Spain - autónomo or SL?"Book Dream Tax Consulting (€250). We'll calculate taxes for both options and show what's more profitable.
"I definitely need autónomo, just register me"Book Mini Dream Business (€500). Full registration in 1-2 weeks.
"I'm opening a serious business, need a company"Book Dream Big Business (€1,500). Full SL registration in 3-4 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's better - autónomo or SL?A: Depends on your revenue, activity type and plans. Up to €40-60K usually autónomo. Above that - consider SL. Book consultation for accurate calculation.
Q: How much does autónomo cost monthly?A: Minimum €294/month to social security (benefits available for new) + quarterly taxes (depends on income) + accountant ~€50-100/month.
Q: How much does SL cost monthly?A: Minimum €60/month government payments + accountant €150-300/month + 25% profit tax.
Q: Can I be autónomo without NIE?A: No, NIE is mandatory. If you don't have it - we'll help obtain it as part of Mini Dream Business service.
Q: How long does registration take?A: Autónomo: 1-2 weeks. SL: 3-4 weeks.
Q: Do you work in cities other than Barcelona?A: Yes, we register autónomos and companies throughout Spain remotely.
Ready to get started?
Step 1: Choose your service based on your needs
Step 2: Book consultation or service
Step 3: We analyze your situation
Step 4: You get clear strategy or full registration
Contact:Email:
info@dreamlifespain.com