Freelancer

Location Independent: How to Become a Freelancer in Spain

Spain is a wonderful country that 46 million people call home. In addition to those Spanish residents, some 82 million tourists pour into the country each year (which is actually causing a number of infrastructural problems).

Given Spain’s popularity, it’s no wonder why so many entrepreneurs have considered freelancing within the nation’s borders.

Are you one of those people?

If you are, brace yourself. Freelancing and collecting payments from Spanish businesses and citizens in Spain can be an unnecessarily complicated process that’s riddled with paperwork and fees.

Below, our team gives you a quick overview of how to become a freelancer in Spain and insight on how you can go through the process of getting properly documented.

Step 1: Ask Yourself if Freelancing is Right For You

Freelancing around one of the most culturally rich countries in the world may sound like a good idea, but is it really?

As a freelancer, there are no promises. You have to make your own breaks every day and if you don’t, you don’t get paid. Furthermore, as a declared freelancer in Spain, you’re unable to collect unemployment benefits during “soft periods”.

Couple all of that with the fact that Spain’s economy isn’t the greatest (meaning fewer clients) and everything can equal a pretty dismal life for a freelancer.

Still, people have made it as freelancers in the country before so if you’re willing to bust your butt, keep reading!

Step 2: Understand if You’re Eligible to Freelance in Spain

If you’re an expat from the United States that freelances remotely and wants to continue to do that in Spain, this article doesn’t really apply to you. You can easily get a tourist visa and work for your US-based clients from a beach in San Sebastian and no one will bother you.

After all, you’re bringing money into the country without taking any money out of it! The Spanish government will love you for that.

While you may run into some snags as far as visa renewals are concerned, as long as you can prove income, you should have no trouble getting things to work.

If you’re planning on actually freelancing in Spain by pulling money out of the economy (ex: having Spanish clients) things get a little dicier. In order to work in Spain, you’ll likely need to be a Spanish citizen or a member of the EU.

If you’re one of those two things and have the documentation to back it up, you should have what you need to start going through the freelancer documentation process.

Step 3: Get Your Paperwork in Order

Now the real fun of the how to become a freelancer in Spain process begins. You have to start getting your documentation in order to present it to the social security office and the Hacienda (the country’s tax entity).

You’ll need your Spanish citizenship documentation, passport or visa. You’ll also need your NIE or NIF (social security number), your bank account details and your Modelo 30 (more on that in a moment).

We also recommend bringing a native Spanish speaker with you when filling out paperwork.

Step 4: Visit Your Local Social Security Office

If you don’t have a Modelo 30 (a special tax document) you can pick it up at your local social security office. Note that there are a lot of social security offices in Spain and some provide different services.

Call ahead and explain that you’re going through the how to become a freelancer process. They will either reassure you that they can help or will point you to another social security office.

Step 5: Visit the Hacienda

With your Modelo 30 and other documentation in hand, it’s time to head over to the nation’s tax office. Getting seen at the tax office can be a grueling process filled with unnecessary paperwork and unhelpful agents.

Take a deep breath.

Even if you have to reschedule your appointment for another day due to some snag, if you’re respectful and follow directions to the best of your ability, you’ll walk out with the paperwork you need to be a registered freelancer.

Step 6: Turn in Your Paper Work to the Social Security Office

When you leave the Hacienda, you’ll come away with paperwork that your social security office needs so they can start taking freelancer taxes from your bank account.

This process should be simple and once your paperwork is turned in, you’re done!

Freelancer Taxes

Spain is relatively non-hospitable on the tax front when it comes to self-employment. They’ll take anywhere from 50 euros to 250 euros out of your account each month as a fee just for declaring yourself a freelancer (that’s a lot of tapas money).

This fee comes with no special benefits.

If ever you feel like the fees you’re being charged are making it impossible for you to operate, consider creditos online en el acto (taking out a small loan online or de-registering as a freelancer which is a much quicker process than registering.

Wrapping Up How to Become a Freelancer in Spain

The how to become a freelancer in Spain process is far from an easy one. Even when you accomplish it, the reality of being a freelancer in Spain is also far from easy.

If you’re set on going through the motions though, by all means, do it! If you end up being successful, you’ll be able to enjoy steady income in a beautiful place that’s teeming with delicious food!

For more information on all things self-employment and digital marketing, check out more of our content on Article City today!

9 Day Trading Tips That Every Freelancer Should Know

Ready to get started with day trading?

Want to make sure you’re profitable doing it?

Day trading can be a unique option for making money. It can be a very good way to play the stock market or even get into the forex market.

While the day trading style isn’t right everyone, for many people it is a perfect choice. Successful day trading can help you boost your income and can be a fun way to get more money coming in.

However, if you’re new to day trading you might not know where to start. Below we’ll give you our top day trading tips so you can be more confident with your trades.

1. Pick Your Platform

The first thing you need to do when getting started with day trading is to choose your trading platform.

There are many platforms you can use when trading but if you’re specifically looking to become a day trader you’ll want to look for a platform that makes that easier for you. Some platforms will come with features that are particularly suited for day traders.

Give a few platforms a try if necessary to make sure you can find one that is easy to use and that you’re comfortable with.

2. Choose the Right Broker

When it comes to choosing a broker, be sure to keep commission costs in mind. High commissions can cut into your profits in a big way and make it harder for you to succeed in trading.

A low fee broker is ideal, but make sure that they still offer the services you need if they’re priced low. Brokers can vary greatly in what they offer. However, chances are if you do some digging you’ll be able to find a broker who is reliable but doesn’t charge outrageous fees either.

3. Practice Patience

Few things require as much discipline and patience as becoming a day trader.

When you start trading you need to choose a strategy that you’ll be using for your trades. However, many beginners make the mistake of choosing a strategy but getting cold feet and abandoning it far too soon. Don’t dump your strategy before you’ve had a chance to tweak it and give it a proper chance.

Also, keep in mind that the best day traders don’t trade every day. They wait until they see opportunities that meet their criteria even if that means not trading at all some days.

4. Put the Hammer Down

Unfortunately, some aspiring day traders end up being too afraid to start. Don’t make this mistake but instead be prepared to pull the trigger and get into the game once you’re ready.

Let the fear of failure pass. Simply start executing trades when the time comes and don’t second-guess yourself too much.

While you may lose money on a trade from time to time, especially when getting started, it’s important that you don’t stay in the planning or learning stage forever.

5. Manage Your Risk

When you’re a day trader, you need to have a plan for managing your risk. Look for ways to control your risk for each day and set a daily loss limit to inform you when it’s time to stop trading for the day. Setting your loss limit at around 3% of your capital is a great rule of thumb to go with.

With each individual trade, you should also work on reducing risk. You may want to pick a number such as 1% of your capital which you’re willing to risk for any trade you make.

While your own personal risk rules may vary, it’s important to have your limits and to stick to them.

6. Set Profit Targets

It’s also important to set profit targets for yourself that you can fall back on when you’re letting emotion cloud your judgment. Setting rules and parameters for yourself can help keep you balanced and logical and prevent your emotions from getting the best of you.

A profit target is a set amount of acceptable profit for trading. Sometimes if you get greedy and wait for too much profit the trade can turn against you. A profit target can prevent this.

Similar to using loss limits, profit targets are also essential to make sure you’re always making the wisest decisions on your trades.

7. Have a Consistent Routine

When you’re a day trader it’s a good idea to have a consistent routine that you follow when it comes time to trade and do your work for the day. As part of this, you’ll probably want to do your trading at the same times every day.

Certain times of the dar are ideal for day trading such as the first couple of hours after the market opens and the last two before they close.

As mentioned above, you should have consistent rules for yourself. However, you should also have a consistent work routine as well.

8. Practice First

While you may be eager to jump headfirst into day trading you may want to hold off a bit and first do some practice day trading. Try some demo trading software to practice your skills before you start using and potentially losing real money.

You can do this type of practice at any time so it’s a good idea to try this some first before you make the switch to doing it with the big bucks. Demos are very flexible and can teach you a lot about trading before you start the real thing.

In addition to focused practice, you should also be educating yourself as much as possible before getting started. You’ll, of course, want to learn about the fundamentals of day trading. You may also want to discover more about advanced strategies such as short selling as well.

9. Learn From Your Experiences

When you’re a day trader it’s also important to pay attention and learn from all of your experiences. While you should set a strategy when starting out but you should also be tweaking it along the way and perfecting it.

Be sure to take time to reflect on not only your wins but your losses as well. If you do, you’ll likely find that you’re learning at a quick pace. You’ll end up avoiding your past mistakes and will gain a lot as a result of your insights.

Making the Most of These Day Trading Tips

While day trading isn’t for everyone, it can potentially be an excellent source of income if done right. Make sure you give yourself the best chance at being a successful day trader by using the day trading tips listed above.

Looking for more financial tips? Check out more blog posts now for more helpful insights.

5 Super Effective Tips to Stay Organized as a Freelancer

From the outside looking in, living the freelance life might look like a dream.

There is no one to tell you when to start working in the morning, no one to tell you that you need to work late, and no one bossing you around throughout the course of the day.

But in reality, freelancers often face a long list of challenges that can frustrate them if they’re not careful. One of the biggest challenges is trying to stay organized while still remaining productive.

Here are 5 tips that will help you stay more organized if you live life as a freelancer.

1. Set Up a Schedule at the Start of Every Day

As a freelancer, you don’t have to stick to a rigorous schedule like you would have to if you were working at a 9-5. You have the ability to be a little more flexible when it comes to scheduling.

But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to set up a schedule at all. If you want to stay organized, get into the habit of creating goals for yourself at the beginning of every day and set up a schedule to achieve them.

You’ll feel better at the end of the day when you know that you accomplished something.

2. Create Time Limits for the Tasks You Need to Complete

When you’re freelancing, you usually won’t have someone breathing down your neck asking you when you’re going to be finished with a task. You can work at your own pace and take breaks when you want to.

But try to come up with a realistic time limit for each task that you do. It’ll prevent you from dragging your feet and falling behind with your work.

3. Come Up With a Filing System for Your Important Documents

You’ll have a lot of important documents on your hands when you’re freelancing. For example, many of your clients will probably ask you to sign contracts before giving you assignments.

Purchase a filing cabinet and keep copies of important paperwork organized in it. This includes contracts, payment agreements, pay stubs, and anything else you might need to refer back to later.

4. Put Aside a Percentage of Any Money You Make Freelancing for Tax Purposes

When tax time rolls around, freelancers are responsible for getting their taxes squared away on their own.

Don’t wait until April 15 to figure out how you’re going to pay taxes on the freelance money you’ve earned. Put aside somewhere between 20 and 30 percent of your earnings, depending on your personal situation, for taxes.

A freelance management platform can help you keep tabs on things like your freelance income.

5. Find a Way to Work Personal Time Into Your Life

Staying organized as a freelancer is essential. But don’t allow it to run your life!

You’ll think more clearly and be better organized when you have a good work/life balance. Make time for yourself as often as you can and socialize with others, too.

Stay Organized to Increase Your Chances of Being a Successful Freelancer

Being a freelancer isn’t as easy as it looks. Not everyone has the discipline it takes to succeed.

If you want to ensure you have long-term success as a freelancer, stay organized by following the tips listed here. You’ll keep your head on straight and be able to deal with whatever freelance life throws your way.

Check out our blog for more tips on staying organized as a freelancer.