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In order to be able to work in Spain you must be registered with social
security. If you are self-employed, you will have to register yourself. If you
are an employee, your employer will register you.
This registration is valid for life and for all of the social security
schemes. It is only done once, when the worker first takes up employment
(initial registration). On registering, you will be issued with a certificate of
registration (documento de afiliación) containing personal data concerning
yourself and members of your family, as well as a registration number. You
should keep this document carefully.
Once workers are registered, there may be changes to their working life that
affect their status as follows: when a person starts work, he or she becomes an
active contributor to social security and is thus insured. Periods of
employment/contribution are known as "altas". If you do not work, you
cease to be an active contributor and, as a general rule, will not be entitled
to social security benefits. Periods when people are not in work are known as
“bajas”.
“Alta” status is almost always a prerequisite for entitlement to social
security benefits.
Applications for registration are submitted to the Provincial Offices or
Administrations of the General Social Security Fund.
- For relevant Social Security addresses: Click
here
Self-Employed People
Members of the special scheme for self-employed persons pay contributions
only for non-occupational risks. They do not pay contributions for unemployment,
industrial accidents, etc. The amount on which these contributions are based is
determined by the insured person himself and is subject to minimum and maximum
levels. These bases are similar to those applied under the general scheme. The
workers themselves are responsible for paying their contributions.
In the case of employed workers, responsibility for insurance rests with the
employer. As far as the contribution to social security itself is concerned, the
employer pays both his own share and the worker's share, in the same way as he
makes deductions for income tax.
There is an exception to this general principle: the employer takes sole
responsibility for insurance for risks for industrial accidents and occupational
diseases.
Last updated: 08/08
Source: European Union
© European Communities
Reproduction is authorised.
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