Autonomo

[Andy1]

Thanks for that Jool.

[Ama]

Recent statistics from Spain showed well over half a million UK expats employed or autonomo in the province of Almeria alone.

How can this be?, if the entire population of Almería, according to census on 01/01/08 is 667.635.

[Jool]

No idea - take it up with the newspaper journalist!!

[campo babe]

A lot of Spanish businesses seem to have all the family working for them.

Is there a special rate for families?

[Laslomas]

I undestand what you are saying Fincalospinos, but in my situation it is still so much to pay out to enable me to work legally. I do not need to pay in to the Health system as I now get my health service anyway due to my other half becoming a jubilado in December. I have paid fully into my pension in UK, so basically I don't think I will gain anything from my 10 euros a day. I have paid out over 35+ years, and I will get nothing extra by paying more. I can think of so many things I could buy with 60 euros a week!!Yes if you are in your 30's or 40's you are getting a good health service for the family - mine are in UK and paying for it there.
And Campo babe - I have been told recently that spanish families only pay one autonomo for the family. Now, possibly someone was trying to wind me up, I don't know, but does anyone know if this is so?

[Jool]

No that isn´t true but I understand there are exemptions on things like age grounds, under 25 pay lower amounts and older people can get a special rate too, but otherwise its everyone pays the same.

If you are an employee then there are also lower rates of seg social for people working 10 hours a week and I believe up to 16 hours per week too and I think that is where the info gets muddled up.

I have never known a country where they all but invite you to work on the black as its so difficult and expensive to do so legally.........and even things like different rates of tax for 5 star hotels above 4 stars etc, how ridiculous and counter to improving your service etc......bizarre.

[cannylass]

I have been following this thread with interest. I have been paying the autonomo now for a few months.
We had to register as self employed because my husband and I (no...we're not royal) opted for this as we were doing 'odd jobs' and cleaning within our community and did not want to do anything illegal. But at over 260€ per month we are wondering if we have done the right thing.
We need to earn over 3000€ p.a. just to pay the Autonomo. O.K. it pays our health care....but we're not sure what else it gives us (if anything).
Can someone tell us what other benefits paying the autonomo gives us??
If, for instance we were only to earn say 5000€ in a year, would we receive any benefit from it??
It seems an awful lot to pay if you are only earning a small wage. Is there another way???

[spanish_lad]

how many hours a week do you work ? - look up there, someones mentioned that theres a lower rate for "upto 16 hours" ?

[cannylass]

there's a lower rate for "up to 16 hours"

I would definetely fall into this catergory. But is this not just for employees and not for the self employed??

[Bongtrees]

there's a lower rate for "up to 16 hours"

I would definetely fall into this catergory. But is this not just for employees and not for the self employed??

Looking on the seg-social website there is no mention for reduced Autonomo payments working part time.

[Jool]

No the reduced rate is for employees only - all autonomos are "known" to be inevitable fraudsters who work on the black all the time and don´t declare everything so we deserve nothing........and it is true of many spanish autonomos such as dentists etc......

For two of you its cheaper to pay private health cover than pay out 260 each......and for that you get nothing back except the health care and knowing you are working legally, plus a miniscule pension contribution but again less than those who are employed as you will be stashing money away in gold or jewellery a la notary, judge etc

[spanish_lad]

....But at over 260€ per month we are wondering if we have done the right thing.
We need to earn over 3000€ p.a. just to pay the Autonomo.

surely if theres two of you, its 520€ a month in SS payments ? 6240€ a year? you need to earn 5000€ a year EACH.

[Beachcomber]

Yes, this is correct. Each self-employed person working in a business has to pay Autónomo.

I as far as I am concerned it is nothing more than a right to work. It entitles you to health care and, if you pay in for long enough, some kind pension. We have private health insurance and I'm not holding my breath for a pension which, assuming the country hasn't gone bankrupt by then, will be little more than a pittance anyway.

Unfortunately there is no alternative. If you want to work legally you have to pay it.

[spanish_lad]

....But at over 260€ per month we are wondering if we have done the right thing.
We need to earn over 3000€ p.a. just to pay the Autonomo.

surely if theres two of you, its 520€ a month in SS payments ? 6240€ a year? you need to earn 5000€ a year EACH.

well, 6240€ a year each just to pay social security, then say (125x12) for the Phone/net (1500€), then another (100x12) for electric (1200) say 500€ a year for town hall bills (rubbish, water etc) and then you have to eat, buy clothes, feed your pets, put fuel in your car, car insurance and servicing etc.. etc.

so before "luxuries" (pets, new toys) you need at least (6240+1500+1200+500) =9440€ a year .. just to live here... and then you have extras to get.

[Jool]

and food of course!!

It is something that needs a radical overhaul

[spanish_lad]

and then you have to eat...

yep