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B1Spanish·20 cards

Starting a Business in Spain

Talk through going self-employed in Spain, from the first idea to the gestor, the bank and the town hall.

Most small businesses in Spain start with the owner registering as autónomo with Hacienda and the Seguridad Social, paying a monthly cuota (with a reduced tarifa plana at first) and filing IVA every quarter, usually through a gestor. Bigger projects set up a sociedad limitada (SL), and opening premises needs a licencia de apertura from the ayuntamiento. The cards follow someone opening a small language academy in Málaga.

A man in an apron opens a grocery store door in Portugal, ready for business.
Photo: Kampus Production on Pexels
  1. 1

    Estoy pensando en montar mi propio negocio.

    I'm thinking about starting my own business.

  2. 2

    Quiero darme de alta como autónomo.

    I want to register as self-employed.

  3. 3

    ¿Qué diferencia hay entre hacerse autónomo y montar una SL?

    What's the difference between going self-employed and setting up a limited company?

  4. 4

    ¿Cuánto se paga de cuota de autónomos al mes?

    How much is the self-employed fee each month?

  5. 5

    El primer año te puedes acoger a la tarifa plana.

    In the first year you can apply for the flat rate.

  6. 6

    Más te vale buscarte un gestor.

    You'd better find yourself an accountant.

  7. 7

    No tengo ni idea de papeleo.

    I haven't got a clue about paperwork.

  8. 8

    Hay que presentar el IVA cada trimestre.

    You have to file VAT every quarter.

  9. 9

    ¿Cuánto capital necesito para empezar?

    How much capital do I need to get started?

  10. 10

    He ahorrado algo, pero no me llega.

    I've saved a bit, but it's not enough.

  11. 11

    Voy a pedir un préstamo al banco.

    I'm going to ask the bank for a loan.

  12. 12

    ¿Merece la pena alquilar un local?

    Is it worth renting premises?

  13. 13

    Vas a necesitar la licencia de apertura del ayuntamiento.

    You'll need an opening licence from the town hall.

  14. 14

    Es mucho riesgo.

    It's a lot of risk.

  15. 15

    Si no sale bien, siempre puedo volver a mi trabajo.

    If it doesn't work out, I can always go back to my job.

  16. 16

    Empezaré poco a poco y a ver qué tal.

    I'll start small and see how it goes.

  17. 17

    ¿Quiénes van a ser tus clientes?

    Who are your customers going to be?

  18. 18

    Ya tengo un par de clientes apalabrados.

    I've already got a couple of clients lined up.

  19. 19

    Tengo que hacer un plan de negocio.

    I need to write a business plan.

  20. 20

    Ojalá te vaya genial.

    I really hope it goes great for you.