If you want to freelance or start your own business in Spain but aren’t ready to commit full-time, you can become part-time self-employed.
This guide explains what that means legally, how to register, your obligations with Social Security and the Tax Agency, and what to expect in costs and benefits.
By the end, you’ll know whether this setup works for you - and how to do it right.
FAQs
Is there such a thing as “part-time self-employed” in Spain?
Not officially. There’s no legal category for “autónomo a media jornada,” but you can work part-time hours while registered full-time. Read more about autonomo here.
Can I pay less Social Security if I work part-time?
Only through pluriactividad - if you’re employed and self-employed at the same time, you can get discounts.
Do I still have to file taxes?
Yes. You’ll have the same obligations as any other freelancer: invoices, quarterly VAT and income tax filings, and bookkeeping.
What “part-time self-employed” means in Spain
There’s no official legal status for part-time autónomos.
Spanish law (Ley 20/2007 del Estatuto del Trabajo Autónomo) mentions the idea but never applied it. In practice, you register like any other freelancer under the Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos (RETA) and pay the same monthly Social Security fee - no matter how many hours you work.
The closest equivalent is pluriactividad.
That’s when you work as an employee and also have your own freelance activity. It’s the only way to legally combine both and pay lower Social Security contributions.
Key takeaway: You can work part-time hours, but your contributions and tax obligations are the same as for full-time freelancers - unless you qualify for pluriactividad.
How to register and your basic obligations
Even if you only plan to work a few hours a week, you must register correctly:
- Register with the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) using form 036 or 037.
- Register with Social Security (TGSS) under RETA.
- Choose your contribution base, which sets your monthly payment.
- Start issuing invoices with VAT (IVA) if required by your activity.
- Keep your books and file quarterly VAT and income tax returns.
If you’re not an EU citizen, you’ll also need a self-employed visa.
There’s no “hour threshold” for being part-time - you must follow the same rules as full-time autónomos.
The “pluriactividad” regime – combining employment and self-employment
Pluriactividad means you’re both an employee and a freelancer.
Main benefit: Lower Social Security contributions for your self-employed activity during the first 18–36 months.
- First 18 months: up to 75% reduction
- Next 18 months: up to 85% reduction
Conditions:
- You must already be employed when you register as self-employed.
- It must be your first time registering as autónomo.
Drawbacks:
- After the reduction period, you’ll pay the full fee again.
- If you were self-employed first, you can’t apply later for the discount.
Tip: Tools like renn can automatically check if you qualify for pluriactividad, apply the right reductions, and make sure you don’t miss available tax credits or deductions.
Cost implications and quotas
Self-employed contributions are based on your income bracket, not on hours worked.
Whether you work 5 or 40 hours per week, you pay based on your declared net income under the new 2023–2025 “real income” system.
If you earn little, the minimum quota (about €230/month in 2025) still applies - unless you get a pluriactividad discount.
Example:
If you’re employed and self-employed for the first time, you might pay only 25–50% of the normal quota during the first 18 months.
Tip: Estimate your real income before registering. If it doesn’t cover the fixed costs, it may be better to wait until your freelance work grows.
Don’t forget recurring costs: bookkeeping, VAT and IRPF filings, and accountant or software fees.
Tax treatment and deductions
Being part-time doesn’t change your tax obligations.
You must still file:
- IRPF (income tax): on your net freelance income.
- IVA (VAT): if your service includes VAT.
You can deduct usual business expenses such as:
- Home office (percentage of your home used for work)
- Equipment and digital tools
- Travel and client expenses
- Professional subscriptions
If you’re both employee and self-employed, your total income is added together for IRPF, which may move you into a higher tax bracket. Keep separate accounting records for each income source.
Practical checklist to get started
- Estimate your income and hours.
- Check your work contract - some forbid outside jobs.
- Choose a start date and register before invoicing.
- File form 036/037 with Agencia Tributaria.
- Register under RETA with Social Security.
- Pick your contribution base.
- Apply for pluriactividad reductions (if eligible).
- Keep income and expense records.
- Review after 12–18 months to see if it’s worth going full-time.
Tip: If unsure, consult a gestor (tax advisor) specialized in autónomos to confirm your eligibility and optimize your setup.
Bottom line
You can be “part-time self-employed” in Spain, but the law treats you like any other freelancer.
You’ll have the same registration, tax, and quota duties - unless you qualify for pluriactividad, which offers real savings.
Plan your income, know your fixed costs, and use this phase to safely test and grow your business. With the right setup and tools, it can be a smooth bridge from employment to full-time self-employment.
