OPENING LICENCES IN SPAIN
The following documentation is required by the Town Hall for an opening licence to be approved.
- Title or degree. If you wish to practise medicine or architecture, you must present your titles and certificates from EU institutions. If your titles are from outside the EU they will have to undergo a lengthy process to be validated.
- IAE or Impuesto sobre Actividades Economicas. This is your business licence, formerly called the "Licencia Fiscal" and now called the Tax on Economic Activities. This was formerly a municipal tax but is now administered by the central tax office. The IAE costs nothing if your turn-over is under 600.000 euros, but you must register for it to obtain the correct code number for your specific activity.
- Your registration with Social Security as self-employed. You register at your nearest Social Security office. In 2009 the monthly payment is around 275 Euros. It is illegal to work in Spain without paying into the Social Security system.
- A written explanation of the activity you will carry out. This is called memoria de actividades and it describes just what work you do as a self-employed person.
- Four photos.
- Title deed and lease contract for business premises and photocopy.
- If a company has been formed for the business purpose, the incorporation charter will be required.
- Completed request form.
- Any other permits related to your specific profession. For example a cook will need a food handler's certificate.