Guides by topic
Work & social security
5 guides on this topic, in the order newcomers usually need them. Each one cites the official sources behind its facts.
Get a work permit through a Spanish employer (initial employed-work authorization)
Autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta ajena
The initial employed-work authorization (cuenta ajena) is the permit for a non-EU national living abroad to move to Spain and work for an employer under contract.
Get a self-employed work permit (initial self-employed work authorization)
Autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta propia
The initial self-employed work authorization (cuenta propia) lets a non-EU national move to Spain to work for themselves, as a freelancer or with their own business.
Use a Ley 14/2013 mobility route
Autorizaciones Ley 14/2013 — profesional altamente cualificado o emprendimiento
Ley 14/2013 sets out Spain's residence routes for highly qualified professionals (including the EU Blue Card) and for entrepreneurs.
Get your Social Security number
Afiliación y asignación de Número de la Seguridad Social
The Social Security number (número de la Seguridad Social, NUSS) is your personal number in Spain's Social Security system, needed before your first registration there, for example when you start a job.
Register as self-employed for tax and Social Security
Alta censal y alta en trabajo autónomo
Registering as autónomo means two registrations before you start working for yourself: the tax census with the Agencia Tributaria on Modelo 036 (Modelo 037 was abolished in February 2025), and the self-employed scheme with Social Security (TGSS).