The first question that comes to anybody contemplating setting up their own business is, “how much is this going to cost me” so don’t let your enthusiasm take over; before you march down to your nearest Social Security office to register as self-employed, consider what it really means to run your own business and the on-going costs involved.
The word self-employed or “autónomo” is a word we have heard a lot more of in recent months given the dire labour situation in Spain. The unemployment rate in Spain has reached an all time high of just over 25%, the highest in Europe, so it is no wonder that many have decided to try to take control of their lives by leaving the unemployment office behind and joining the self-employed ranks to set up their own businesses. Is that your goal for 2013?
Spain has tightened its belt when it comes to providing medical assistance on the national health and not just for foreigners either; Spanish nationals are also affected by measures implemented this year. An increased burden on an already flagging system provoked the changes and it is no longer enough to be “empadronado” or registered as a resident in Spain to be entitled to free medical assistance.
I have received consults and queries about the use of contracts for business and all I can say is: DEFINITELY YES!
The only way to protect your interests as well as your clients’ of course is to draft a contract that outlines the nature of your agreement. This avoids confusion, misunderstandings and basically being taken for a ride by crafty “business people”. If you are entering a long-term agreement, a contract is the way to go but even if you are doing one-off projects, some type of agreement is also advised for the same reasons.
Living abroad definitely has its benefits but death follows us wherever we are and just because we get to bask most of the year in the glorious sun, unfortunately, we are not immune to it. How would you cope if a family member died? How would you navigate the Spanish system? As morbid as it seems, we must make sure our affairs are in order, so here’s a brief insight into Spanish Wills.
