Is this for EU and non-EU citizens?

Yes. This page is a starting point for both. Your right to live and work depends on your situation. Not every visa or residence status allows self-employment. Check with the relevant official authority before you start.

Does the process change between territories?

Yes. Araba/Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa have their own provincial tax offices (Hacienda Foral). Tax forms and reporting duties can differ. Address registration (empadronamiento) is handled by your local town hall (Ayuntamiento).

What does autónomo mean?

An autónomo is a self-employed worker. You work on your own account, rather than as an employee. You manage your registrations, invoices, and tax duties. The exact duties depend on your work and situation.

Why is digital identity important?

Many official services are online. Cl@ve, an FNMT certificate, or BakQ from Izenpe can help you access them. Each portal accepts different methods. Check which one the service accepts before you apply.

Can I get legal or immigration advice here?

No. This is a general overview, not legal, immigration, or tax advice. We do not calculate taxes or collect personal data. Confirm your next steps with official services or a qualified adviser.

A thinking man with a laptop overlooks an imagined Basque landscape, with La Concha, Bilbao’s Guggenheim and Vitoria-Gasteiz’s old town.

Ongi etorri · Welcome

How to be Autónomo
in Euskadi.

A new home. A life working for yourself.
Your plain-English starting point in the Basque Country.

Explore the steps

For EU & non-EU citizens

One Euskadi. Three territories.Araba / ÁlavaVitoria-GasteizBizkaiaBilbaoGipuzkoaDonostia / San Sebastián

The journey

A new place.
A path of your own.

Five parts, from your right to work
to running a business and everyday life.

8 pages
Part A: Right to work
Check your right to work, the residence documents for your situation, and how to renew them.
NIE · EU certificate · Renewal · Legal help
7 pages
Part B: Settle in
Your TIE, housing, address registration, bank account, and digital identity.
Empadronamiento · FNMT · BakQ · Cl@ve
9 pages
Part C: Become an autónomo
Explore grants, activity codes, registrations, monthly fees, and invoicing.
Lanbide · NUSS · Hacienda Foral · TicketBAI
9 pages
Part D: Run your business
Invoices, records, tax returns, foreign clients, sick leave and what to do if you stop.
Quarterly returns · Annual returns · Cese de actividad
5 pages
Part E: Life in Euskadi
Health care, languages, schools, driving, and business support.
Osakidetza · Euskera · Driving licence

This is a topic overview, not one fixed order for everyone. Your next steps depend on your right to work, territory, and situation.

See every page in the five parts

A / Right to work

B / Settle in

C / Become an autónomo

D / Run your business

E / Life in Euskadi

Start here

Not sure where to begin?

Answer three questions and get your own list of steps, in order.

Find your path

Your territory

Three territories.
Your corner of
Euskadi.

Your territory matters. Each has its own tax office. Your town hall handles local steps.

Your choice is saved only on this device.

Bilbao

Local registration · Ayuntamiento de Bilbao
Provincial tax office · Hacienda Foral de Bizkaia

Visit the official tax office Offices in Bilbao

OsakidetzaPublic health care LanbideEmployment & training BakQ / IzenpeDigital identity TicketBAIInvoicing information

Common questions

Less wondering.
More clarity.

The basics before you take your next step.

What this guide is not

It is not legal or tax advice. For your own case, ask the office or a professional.
It is not a gestoría. You do every step yourself, at the official offices and websites.
It never asks for your personal data.

Every page links to the official sources it is based on, and shows the date its facts were last checked.

How to be Autónomoin Euskadi.

A new place.A path of your own.