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How to become self-employed in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (2026)

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Cost

€80.00

Monthly Simplified Tariff fee (first year). Free initial registration process.

Time at office

0 minutes (100% online)

Estimated time

24-48 hours for effective enrollment

Quick summary

Complete guide for registering as a self-employed individual in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. Enroll in tax and social security, apply for the Simplified Tariff, and take advantage of Canarian support programs for entrepreneurs in 2026.

Required documents

  • Digital Certificate or Electronic DNI

    Essential for all tax and social security procedures. Alternatively, you can use Cl@ve.

  • Bank Account Number (IBAN)

    For direct debiting of monthly self-employed contributions through the RETA.

  • Tax Registration (Model 036 or 037)

    Notify the Tax Agency about the start of your economic activity and select the corresponding IAE tax class. Model 037 is a simplified version used by most individual self-employed individuals.

  • Registration in RETA

    Enroll as a Self-Employed Individual in the Social Security through Importass portal.

80 €
Monthly Simplified Tariff fee (first year). Free initial registration process. €80.00
€80.00
€80.00

: 2026

Step by step

  • 1

    Tax Registration (Model 036 or 037)

    Go to official site

    Inform the Tax Agency about the start of your economic activity. Choose the appropriate IAE tax class. The simplified Model 037 is usually used by individual self-employed individuals.

    !

    Expert tip

    "You can submit this electronically with a Digital Certificate or Cl@ve. If you're unsure which tax class to choose, the AEAT has an online activity finder on their website."

  • 2

    Registration in RETA (Social Security)

    Go to official site

    You have up to 60 natural days from starting your activity to register. Do it through Importass portal of Social Security. If you enroll the first day of the month, avoid paying a proportional contribution.

    !

    Expert tip

    "When enrolling in Importass, select the Simplified Tariff option for 80€/month. This is automatic for new self-employed individuals without previous activity in the last 2 years."

  • 3

    Consult Canarian Support Programs

    Go to official site

    The Canary Government has specific programs to support self-employment, tailored to island realities. SODECAN supports projects on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, while each island has its own cabildo with specific programs. Canary Island entrepreneurs benefit from the Canary Regional Economic and Tax Regime (REF), with a 7% IGIC rate versus the mainland's IVA. Key organizations: PROEXCA / SODECAN / Canary Government.

    !

    Expert tip

    "Many Canarian regional support programs are compatible with the national Simplified Tariff. Consult PROEXCA / SODECAN / Canary Government before starting your activity to avoid missing application deadlines."

  • 4

    Business License or Prior Notification (if applicable)

    Go to official site

    If you plan to have a physical location in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you will need to apply for the appropriate license or declaration of responsibility with the local municipality. For office-based services or professional activities without public access, general licenses are usually not required.

    !

    Expert tip

    "For most home-based or office-based services with no public access, a municipal license is generally not required. Consult the local municipality if you have doubts."

Offices and service points - Santa Cruz

Tax Agency — Online Process (available for all of Spain)

Online process available at sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es

901 200 345
Online: 24 hours / Phone: Mon-Fri 09:00 - 19:00

Frequently asked questions

How long does the 80€ Simplified Tariff last?
The 80€/month Simplified Tariff applies for the first 12 months of registration in RETA. After that, contributions are calculated based on estimated net earnings for the year (real income system, effective since 2023).
Can I combine unemployment with self-employment?
Yes. You can take advantage of unemployment benefits (receive full unemployment payment to invest in your business) or partially combine them. Check the conditions at SEPE before enrolling.
What specific support programs does Canaria have for self-employed individuals?
Important support exists. The 7% IGIC rate is lower than the 21% IVA on the mainland. Additionally, the Canary REF includes the Investment Reserve in Canary Islands (RIC) and deductions for overseas investments. The ZEC (Canary Special Economic Zone) offers a 4% corporate tax rate for self-employed individuals forming a company.
What IAE tax class should I choose?
The IAE tax class identifies your economic activity with the Tax Agency. Choose the one that best describes what you will be doing. The AEAT has an online finder on its electronic portal. If you have multiple activities, you can register under several classes simultaneously.
When do I start paying self-employed contributions?
Starting from the first day of the month in which you enroll. If you enroll on January 1st, pay the full monthly contribution for that month. If you enroll mid-month, only pay a proportional amount. That's why it's best to enroll on the first day of the month.

This procedure in other cities

Official sources and useful links

This guide is for informational purposes only. Always check the official source for current information.