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Freelancing and Invoicing in Spain

Talk budgets, quotes, invoices and late payments as a freelancer (autónomo) in Spain.

Freelancers in Spain register as autónomos, pay a monthly self-employed fee and add 21% IVA to invoices, usually minus a 15% IRPF withholding when billing companies. Most hand the quarterly paperwork to a gestoría. The cards follow a freelance designer in Madrid from the first client call to chasing an unpaid invoice.

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Photo: Uriel Mont on Pexels
  1. 1

    ¿Qué presupuesto tenéis para este proyecto?

    What's your budget for this project?

  2. 2

    Cobro por horas o por proyecto, lo que os venga mejor.

    I charge by the hour or per project, whatever works best for you.

  3. 3

    Os mando el presupuesto antes del viernes.

    I'll send you a quote by Friday.

  4. 4

    ¿El precio lleva el IVA incluido?

    Is VAT included in the price?

  5. 5

    Estoy dado de alta como autónomo.

    I'm registered as self-employed.

  6. 6

    Os facturo a final de mes.

    I'll invoice you at the end of the month.

  7. 7

    Necesito vuestro CIF para la factura.

    I need your company tax ID for the invoice.

  8. 8

    Acordaos de aplicar la retención del quince por ciento.

    Remember to apply the fifteen percent withholding.

  9. 9

    ¿Cómo soléis pagar, a treinta días?

    What are your payment terms, thirty days?

  10. 10

    La factura sigue sin pagar.

    The invoice still hasn't been paid.

  11. 11

    ¿Podrías mirarlo con contabilidad?

    Could you check it with accounts?

  12. 12

    Prefiero tenerlo por escrito.

    I'd rather have it in writing.

  13. 13

    Necesitaría la mitad por adelantado.

    I'd need half up front.

  14. 14

    Este mes toca presentar el IVA del trimestre.

    The quarterly VAT return is due this month.

  15. 15

    Todo eso me lo lleva la gestoría.

    My accountant's office takes care of all that.

  16. 16

    La cuota de autónomos me está matando.

    The self-employed fee is killing me.

  17. 17

    Los cambios fuera de lo acordado se cobran aparte.

    Changes outside what we agreed are billed separately.

  18. 18

    ¿Podemos retrasar la entrega una semana?

    Can we push the deadline back a week?

  19. 19

    Estoy hasta arriba hasta el mes que viene.

    I'm swamped until next month.

  20. 20

    Me lo podéis pagar por transferencia.

    You can pay me by bank transfer.