# Find your path

> Answer three questions to see which steps you need and in what order.

- Page: https://autonomo.eus/steps/find-your-path
- Part: Start here
- For: Everyone
- Last checked: 14 October 2026

Answer three questions to see which steps you need and in what order.

## 1. Are you a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland?

- **Yes:** you can live and work here as an autónomo. Answer question 2, then start with [Register as an EU citizen](https://autonomo.eus/steps/eu-citizen).
- **No:** go to question 2.

## 2. Where will you live?

Your address decides which Hacienda Foral you belong to, not where your clients are.

| You live in | Your territory | Your Hacienda |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bilbao or elsewhere in Bizkaia | Bizkaia | Hacienda Foral de Bizkaia |
| Donostia/San Sebastián or elsewhere in Gipuzkoa | Gipuzkoa | Hacienda Foral de Gipuzkoa |
| Vitoria-Gasteiz or elsewhere in Álava | Álava | Hacienda Foral de Álava |

Pick your territory once. Every page then opens on your territory's tab. If you are not an EU citizen, go on to question 3.

## 3. Do you already have the right to work in Spain?

- **Yes, I have a permit that allows work:** go to [Get your TIE card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/tie-card) and follow the steps below.
- **No, or I'm not sure:** read [Check your right to work](https://autonomo.eus/steps/right-to-work) first. Check your case with a lawyer before you apply. [Free legal help](https://autonomo.eus/steps/legal-help) is available.

## Your steps, in order

1. [Get your right to work](https://autonomo.eus/steps/right-to-work) (Part A). EU citizens register; non-EU citizens get a permit.
2. [Get your TIE card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/tie-card) (non-EU only).
3. [Rent a flat](https://autonomo.eus/steps/rent-a-flat).
4. [Register your address at the town hall](https://autonomo.eus/steps/padron).
5. [Open a bank account](https://autonomo.eus/steps/bank-account).
6. [Get your FNMT digital certificate](https://autonomo.eus/steps/fnmt-certificate) and [your BakQ](https://autonomo.eus/steps/bakq).
7. [Check the Lanbide start-up grants](https://autonomo.eus/steps/lanbide-grants). Do this before step 10.
8. [Get your Social Security number](https://autonomo.eus/steps/social-security-number).
9. [Choose your activity codes](https://autonomo.eus/steps/activity-codes).
10. [Register with your Hacienda Foral](https://autonomo.eus/steps/register-hacienda) and [with Social Security](https://autonomo.eus/steps/register-social-security), **with the same start date**.
11. [Set up TicketBAI invoicing](https://autonomo.eus/steps/ticketbai).
12. Run your business: [invoices](https://autonomo.eus/steps/invoices), [records](https://autonomo.eus/steps/records) and [returns](https://autonomo.eus/steps/quarterly-returns).

In the meantime, [get your health card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/health-card) as soon as you are registered with Social Security.

---

Free, independent information. Not an official government website or a gestoría. General information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority before you act. Report a mistake: a@halawa.io. Source: Autónomo.eus (https://autonomo.eus).