What this tool does
The Lifetti Autónomo Cost & Tax Calculator is a free tool that estimates the real cost of being self-employed (autónomo) in Spain for 2026 — your RETA Social Security tramo and monthly cuota (€206–€607, or ~€88.72/month on the tarifa plana), your quarterly Modelo 130 income-tax prepayment, and your estimated annual take-home pay.
- Finds your RETA tramo across all 15 brackets in the two 2026 tables
- Shows your tarifa plana savings for the first 12 months (~€88.72/mo)
- Estimates quarterly Modelo 130 and whether you are exempt
- Flags cuota cero regions and quarterly filing deadlines
Best for: new autónomos, freelancers, and Digital Nomad Visa holders registering in Spain
Autónomo Cost & Tax Calculator
Your RETA cuota, tarifa plana savings and quarterly taxes
Your details
About €24,000/year before Social Security and tax
Flat ~€88.72/month for your first 12 months if you haven't been autónomo in the past 2 years
If most Spanish business clients withhold IRPF, you're exempt from Modelo 130
Your numbers
Standard rate for your income would be €381/month
Annual breakdown
Includes €1,200/yr gastos de difícil justificación (5%, cap €2,000), deductible without receipts.
Good to know
Madrid may offer cuota cero. It can fully or partly refund your tarifa plana cuota for eligible new autónomos — check your comunidad autónoma's rules.
File every quarter. Modelo 303 (VAT) and Modelo 130 (income) are due by 20 April, 20 July, 20 October and 30 January.
Estimates only. RETA quotas are approximate 2026 figures and IRPF ignores regional variations and deductions. Confirm with a gestor before you register.
Your autónomo cost: €89/month + quarterly tax. A good gestoría (€40–€60/month) files every Modelo for you, keeps you on the right tramo, and stops the €50,000 Verifactu and late-filing penalties before they happen. Free quote →
How your autónomo costs work
Since 2023, Spain charges autónomos an income-based Social Security cuota across 15 tramos in two tables. New autónomos pay a flat tarifa plana of about €88.72/month for their first 12 months. On top of the cuota you file quarterly income tax (Modelo 130) and VAT (Modelo 303). This calculator uses official 2026 figures.
For the full step-by-step process, see our complete guide: Autónomo Spain 2026: Registration, Tax & Filing Guide →
2026 RETA Contribution Tramos
| Table | Tramo | Net income / month | Approx. monthly quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reducida | 1 | ≤ €670 | €206 |
| Reducida | 2 | €670–€900 | €226 |
| Reducida | 3 | €900–€1,167 | €268 |
| General | 1–3 | €1,167–€1,700 | €300–€303 |
| General | 4–6 | €1,700–€2,330 | €360–€401 |
| General | 7–9 | €2,330–€3,620 | €427–€479 |
| General | 10–11 | €3,620–€6,000 | €504–€546 |
| General | 12 | > €6,000 | €607 |
* Tope máximo general €5,101.20/month. Quotas are approximate 2026 figures based on Seguridad Social / Asepeyo data. You can change your base up to 6 times a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I calculate my autónomo costs in Spain?
Use Lifetti's free Autónomo Cost & Tax Calculator. It estimates your monthly RETA Social Security cuota (€206–€607, or ~€88.72/month on the tarifa plana), your quarterly Modelo 130 income-tax prepayment, and your estimated take-home pay in seconds — no sign-up.
How much does an autónomo pay per month in Spain?
New autónomos pay a flat tarifa plana of about €88.72/month for the first 12 months. After that, the cuota is income-based, ranging from €206/month (income under €670) up to €607/month (income over €6,000), across 15 tramos in two tables.
What is the tarifa plana and am I eligible?
The tarifa plana is a reduced Social Security rate for new autónomos — about €88.72/month for your first year. You qualify if you haven't been registered as autónomo in the past 2 years (3 years if you previously used the tarifa plana). Some regions add cuota cero on top, effectively refunding the cuota.
What is Modelo 130 and do I have to pay it?
Modelo 130 is a quarterly prepayment of 20% of your net profit toward your annual income tax. You're exempt if more than 70% of your invoices already include IRPF withholding — typically when your clients are Spanish businesses that withhold 15% (or 7% if you're new).
Can I change my RETA tramo during the year?
Yes. You can change your contribution base up to 6 times per year via Importass, with each change taking effect the following month. Seguridad Social regularizes your contributions against your real income at year-end, so keeping your tramo accurate avoids back payments.
Are these figures exact?
The RETA quotas are official 2026 approximations and the take-home figure uses a simplified national IRPF estimate. Your actual income tax depends on your region, personal circumstances and deductions. Use this as a planning guide, then confirm with a gestor.