Register your activity with Hacienda (Modelo 036)
File the census declaration (Modelo 036) in the AEAT online office to register as a self-employed professional before your first day of activity.
For: Anyone starting a self-employed activity in Spain who must be in the Hacienda census of business owners and professionals.
Last checked
What you need
Steps
Check that Modelo 036 is the right form: it is for anyone carrying out economic activities.
The simplified Modelo 037 no longer exists. Its simplification now lives inside Modelo 036.
Plan to file before you start the activity.
In the AEAT online office, open the Modelo 036 procedures and choose the individuals service (Censos WEB) for an initial alta.
If your activities are excluded from that service, the service tells you to file the full Modelo 036 instead.
Fill in every tab of the form: your identity, addresses, representatives and your activity.
The form asks for your activity and your start date. The IAE epigraph comes from your activity choice.
AEAT: Servicio de ayuda a la presentacion del modelo 036 (Censos WEB)
Answer the preliminary questions, then review the tax regimes the form shows for you (VAT and income tax).
AEAT: Servicio de ayuda a la presentacion del modelo 036 (Censos WEB)
If you will deal with EU businesses, ask to be included in the EU operators register (ROI): tick box 582 and enter the date of your first operation in box 584.
Skip this if you will only invoice in Spain.
AEAT: Identificacion para operar con empresarios de la UE (ROI)
Press Validate to catch errors, then check the preview PDF.
AEAT: Servicio de ayuda a la presentacion del modelo 036 (Censos WEB)
Press Presentar declaración, confirm the filer details, tick Conforme and press Firmar y Enviar.
AEAT: Servicio de ayuda a la presentacion del modelo 036 (Censos WEB)
Do your Social Security alta (RETA) before or on the same day as your start date too.
See the recipe on registering with Social Security.
Done when: The AEAT shows "Su presentación ha sido realizada con éxito" with a PDF receipt. Save it.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting supporting documents. In some cases the filing has no effect until the documents are submitted and checked. AEAT: Servicio de ayuda a la presentacion del modelo 036 (Censos WEB)
What varies
The order of the Hacienda and Social Security altas is not fixed by an official page beyond both being before or on the start date. Which tabs and regimes appear depends on your activity.
Who can do this for you
This page is general information, not legal advice.