Working as self-employed in Alicante: RETA registration and gestorías

Machine translation made with AI: it may contain errors. Please check the details in the official sources.

What being self-employed means

A self-employed person (autónomo) is someone who carries out an economic activity on a regular, personal and direct basis on their own account. You pay contributions into the Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos (RETA, the Special Scheme for the Self-Employed) of Social Security (Seguridad Social) and declare the activity to Hacienda (the Agencia Tributaria, the Spanish Tax Agency).

Basic requirements

According to Social Security, you must be 18 or over and resident in Spain; if you are a foreigner, you need an authorisation that allows you to work. Being from the EU does not exempt you from registering. If you are from outside the EU, first check that your authorisation allows you to work for yourself. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration explains the temporary residence and self-employment authorisation; if in doubt, ask at the immigration office (oficina de extranjería).

How to register (the basics)

Hacienda: registration in the census of businesspeople and professionals with modelo 036 and the activity heading (IAE, Impuesto sobre Actividades Económicas). Since 3 February 2025, modelo 037 has been abolished (Order HAC/1526/2024); everything is done with modelo 036. You can submit it on the Tax Agency's online office, which offers a service (Censos WEB) for simple registrations of individuals.
Social Security: registration in the RETA. It is done online (with a digital certificate, electronic DNI or Cl@ve) on the Import@ss portal. You need to state the IAE, the activity code (CNAE), the start date, the address of the activity, the expected net income, a bank account and the mutua colaboradora (the collaborating mutual insurance body).
Deadline: registration must be requested before you start, at most 60 days in advance. If you have already started, you must still report it, but it is considered late for all purposes.

Contributions in 2026 (indicative)

The contribution depends on expected net income, in brackets. You choose a contribution base within your bracket, and it is adjusted the following year using the Tax Agency's data. Social Security has an official simulator.
Flat rate (tarifa plana): according to the official guide to self-employment, in 2026 anyone registering for the first time pays a reduced contribution of €80 a month for 12 months, which can be extended for another 12 if income does not reach the minimum wage. There are requirements (for example, not having been self-employed in the previous two years). Check them beforehand.
We do not give bracket figures because they change every year; use the simulator.

Where to do the paperwork in Alicante

Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria): the Delegación and the Administración of Alicante are at Plaza de la Montañeta, 8 (03001). At Avenida Aguilera, 20 (03006) they only register FNMT electronic certificates for individuals. There are no offices in San Vicente del Raspeig, Sant Joan d'Alacant, El Campello or Mutxamel. Opening hours and appointments: office finder.
Social Security (TGSS): registration and contribution procedures are done on Import@ss. For in-person service, use the official office locator and filter by «Gestión de afiliación, cotización, recaudación y pagos (TGSS)» (registration, contributions, collection and payments) in the province of Alicante.
Business start-up point (Impulsalicante): Alicante City Council's local development agency handles registration with Hacienda, registration in the RETA and the start of activity with the Documento Único Electrónico (DUE, Single Electronic Document) free of charge, by appointment. Details at Tu empresa en 48 horas (Your business in 48 hours). According to its contact page, the Centro de Emprendedores (Entrepreneurs' Centre) is at calle del Cid, 13, on the corner with Virgen de los Desamparados (03001), telephone 965 14 61 58.
Alicante Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio de Alicante): offers entrepreneurship programmes with training, advice and mentoring. Calle Cervantes, 3 (03002), telephone 965 201 133.

What a gestoría does

A gestoría administrativa (administrative agency) or asesoría (advisory firm) handles paperwork and official procedures. The usual services are:

Registration, changes and cancellation of self-employed people or companies.
Quarterly and annual VAT (IVA) and income tax (IRPF) returns.
Accounting and invoice ledger.
Payroll and contracts if you have employees.
Vehicle matters, inheritances or dealings with administrations.
Representation before Hacienda or Social Security, with your authorisation.

Types of professional

Gestor administrativo: procedures with the administrations, taxes and paperwork in general.
Tax adviser or economist (asesor fiscal, economista): taxes, accounting and tax planning.
Graduado social: employment and Social Security matters (contracts, payroll, contributions).
Lawyer (abogado): immigration, contracts, claims and legal disputes. A gestor is not, in itself, a lawyer.

Professional bodies in Alicante

They are useful for checking that someone is a registered member. They do not recommend specific firms.

Colegio de Gestores Administrativos de Alicante (province of Alicante): calle José Gutiérrez «Petén», 18 (03004), telephone 965 218 822. It has a firm finder on its website.
Colegio de Economistas de Alicante: calle San Isidro, 5 (03002), telephone 965 14 08 98. List of members on its website.
Colegio de la Abogacía de Alicante (ICALI, Alicante Bar Association): calle Gravina, 4 (03002), telephone 965 145 180. Information on free legal aid and mediation on its website.

When you need a gestor

When you invoice with VAT and file quarterly returns, and you are not on top of the deadlines.
If you have income in several countries or are a non-resident.
If you are going to hire employees or set up a company.
If you want to avoid mistakes that end in surcharges or penalties.

If your activity is simple, you can handle it yourself with a digital certificate and attention to deadlines. The law does not require you to have a gestoría.

How to choose a gestor

Ask for a written quote: what the monthly fee includes and what is charged separately.
Check membership of a professional body or qualifications with the relevant colegio.
Language: if you need service in English, German or another language, ask beforehand.
Access to your information: make sure you have a copy of your returns and access to electronic notifications.
Liability: ask whether they have professional liability insurance.
Compare at least three offers and be wary of promises to pay "zero taxes".
Contract and cancellation: review the minimum-term conditions and how the service is cancelled.

Before you go: document checklist

Identity document (DNI, passport, TIE or registration certificate with NIE).
Digital certificate or Cl@ve, if you already have one.
Details of the activity: description, start date, address and income forecast.
Bank account number.
Proof of work authorisation, if you are from outside the EU.

Disclaimer: general information, not advice

This guide is general information as at 2026-10-14 and does not constitute tax, employment or legal advice. Contributions, brackets and discounts change every year. Always confirm with Social Security and the Tax Agency. We do not recommend or rate any specific gestoría.