Grants for the newly self-employed and entrepreneurs: what is available when you start

When you start as self-employed you get reduced contributions for the 12 full calendar months after registration, requested at the time you register (Ley 20/2007, art. 38 ter). If you receive the contributory unemployment benefit, you can ask for the lump-sum payment, always dated before the activity starts (art. 34). Anyone starting an activity is exempt from the IAE (business activities tax) for their first 2 tax periods. And the grants of the public authorities are reported to the National Grants Database (BDNS).

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14) · Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, consolidated text of the Local Finance Law, art. 82 (2026-11-14) · Ley 38/2003 of 17 November, General Grants Law, arts. 18 and 20 (2026-11-14)

What types of start-up grants exist

The Self-Employed Workers' Statute says that the public authorities will adopt financial support programmes for the business initiatives of entrepreneurs, with attention to groups with particular difficulty accessing the labour market (Ley 20/2007, art. 29).

The same law regulates the reduced contributions for the self-employed, requested at the time of registration, and the lump-sum payment of the unemployment benefit, whose application must be dated before the activity starts.

In addition, each administration publishes its own grant calls. All of them are reported to the National Grants Database (BDNS), which is the national system for publicising grants (Ley 38/2003, arts. 18 and 20).

To get organised, think of three groups. First, reductions in what you pay: contributions and taxes. Second, the way you receive your unemployment benefit if you are going to start a business. Third, grants and loans that each body announces, each with its own rules, requirements and deadline. The first two groups are tied to the moment you register. The third depends on there being an open call that suits you.

Source: Ley 20/2007 of 11 July, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 29 (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14) · Ley 38/2003 of 17 November, General Grants Law, arts. 18 and 20 (2026-11-14)

Reduced self-employed contributions when you start

The exact amount is not in the Statute: it is set by the State Budget Law. So it is worth checking the one in force just when you are about to register.

It applies to anyone registering as self-employed for the first time or who has not been registered in the previous 2 years, or 3 years if they already benefited from it before (Ley 20/2007, art. 38 ter).
It lasts for the 12 full calendar months after registration.
It can continue for another 12 months if your annual net income is below the minimum interprofessional wage.
With a disability of 33% or more, or as a victim of gender-based violence or terrorism, the periods are 24 and 36 months.
It is requested at the time of registration, and it does not apply to the self-employed person's relatives up to the second degree.

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14)

Capitalising your unemployment benefit (lump-sum payment)

Here the order is everything. The application comes first and the start of the activity afterwards. If you do it the other way round, the law does not let you ask for it.

The managing body can pay up to 100% of the present value of the contributory unemployment benefit to anyone who sets up as self-employed or contributes capital to a company that is newly formed or less than 12 months old and that they will control (Ley 20/2007, art. 34).
Up to 15% can be used for advice, training and information.
The benefit can also be paid monthly to subsidise your contributions.
The application must be dated before the activity starts.
People who, in the previous 24 months, combined self-employment with the contributory benefit are excluded.

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14)

IAE and loans when you start

The IAE is the business activities tax. And a participation loan is not a grant: it is financing that has to be repaid, so it is worth reading its conditions carefully before applying.

Anyone starting an activity is exempt from the IAE for their first 2 tax periods. Individuals are also exempt, as are companies with a net turnover below €1,000,000 (Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, art. 82.1).
Anyone starting a professional activity gets a 50% reduction in the IAE amount for the 5 years following the second tax period.
For business activities that pay the municipal rate, the local tax ordinance can set up to 50% in that same period (art. 88).
ENISA provides participation loans of €25,000 to €1,500,000 with no collateral or personal guarantees to SMEs incorporated in Spain with their own legal personality and equity at least equal to the loan.

Source: Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, consolidated text of the Local Finance Law, art. 82 (2026-11-14) · Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, art. 88 (2026-11-14) · ENISA, Financing for start-ups and SMEs (2026-11-14)

How and where to apply

The reduced contributions are requested at the time of registration. The lump-sum payment is requested from the managing body of the benefit, dated before the activity starts.

As an individual you can choose whether to deal with the Administration electronically, unless it is expressly required. A company is obliged to do so electronically (Ley 39/2015, art. 14).

If someone else submits the application on your behalf, they have to prove they represent you. For example, with a power of attorney granted apud acta on the administration's online portal or registered in the electronic register of powers of attorney (arts. 5 and 6).

Before submitting anything, have your identity documents to hand, the details of your activity and, if you are going to set up a company, its incorporation details. Each call states in its rules which documents it requires and where to apply.

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14) · Ley 39/2015 of 1 October, on the Common Administrative Procedure, art. 14 (2026-11-14) · Ley 39/2015, arts. 5 and 6 (2026-11-14)

What to watch so you do not lose the grant

Applying for a grant is half the way. The other half is doing what you commit to and being able to prove it. Keep invoices, contracts and receipts from day one, organised by grant.

Ask for the lump-sum payment with a date before the activity starts.
Request the reduced contributions at the time of registration.
Carry out the activity and the commitments taken on with the award: failing to do so is grounds for repayment (Ley 38/2003, art. 37).
Justify the grant properly: insufficient justification is also grounds for repayment.

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 38/2003, General Grants Law, art. 37 (2026-11-14)

What Aupamos does with these grants

The reduced contributions and the lump-sum payment are requested at registration. Where we can help you most is with the grants that come through calls, which change depending on your province and your profile.

We alert you for free about every open grant that fits your province and your profile, with a plain-language summary, its deadline and the link to the official call.
If one interests you, the eligibility check is free and we reply within 48 hours on working days from when we have your complete details.
If it fits and you accept the proposal in writing, we prepare and submit the application on your behalf with your power of attorney, within the deadline, respond to any requests to correct the application and follow the file until the decision and payment.
We only charge if the grant is awarded and you get paid: 15% + VAT (21%) of the amount awarded up to €20,000 and 10% + VAT (21%) of the part between €20,000 and €100,000 (no advance payment), charged once the amount is in your account. You pay it with your own funds, separate from the grant.
We are a private service of Vera Senses S.L., independent of any administration. The official call and its rules are the only valid source of the conditions of each grant.
No award is ever assured: the Administration decides under the call's rules and its budget.

Source: Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14) · Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14) · Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14) · Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14) · Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14) · Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14)

Frequently asked questions

How much are the reduced self-employed contributions this year?

The law says its amount is set by the State Budget Law (Ley 20/2007, art. 38 ter). It applies for the 12 full calendar months after registration. Check the budget law in force when you are about to register.

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14)

Can I capitalise my unemployment benefit if I have already registered as self-employed?

The law requires the application for the lump-sum payment to be dated before the activity starts (Ley 20/2007, art. 34). If you are thinking of starting a business and you receive the benefit, check this point before registering.

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14)

Can I use part of the lump-sum payment for training or advice?

Yes: up to 15% of the capitalised amount can be used for advice, training and information (Ley 20/2007, art. 34).

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34 (2026-11-14)

Do I have to pay the IAE in the first year?

Anyone starting an activity is exempt from the IAE for the first 2 tax periods. In addition, individuals are exempt (Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, art. 82.1).

Source: Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, consolidated text of the Local Finance Law, art. 82 (2026-11-14)

Can I ask for the reduced contributions again if I was already self-employed?

The law gives it to anyone who has not been registered in the previous 2 years. If you already benefited from it before, the required prior period out of registration is 3 years (Ley 20/2007, art. 38 ter).

Source: Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14) · Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter (2026-11-14)

Can you assure me that I will be awarded a grant?

No. The award is decided by the Administration that issues the call, under its own rules and budget. What we do is check the requirements, prepare and submit the application properly and on time, respond to requests and follow the file.

Source: Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14) (2026-11-14)

Sources

The public authorities will adopt financial support programmes for the business initiatives of entrepreneurs, with attention to groups with particular difficulty accessing the labour market (Ley 20/2007, art. 29). (Ley 20/2007 of 11 July, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 29, 2026-11-14)
Anyone registering as self-employed for the first time, or who has not been registered in the previous 2 years, pays reduced contributions for the 12 full calendar months that follow, with the amount set in the State Budget Law; it can continue for another 12 months if their annual net income is below the minimum interprofessional wage (Ley 20/2007, art. 38 ter). (Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter, 2026-11-14)
The reduced contributions are requested at the time of registration; with a disability of 33% or more, or as a victim of gender-based violence or terrorism, the periods are 24 and 36 months; the required prior period out of registration is 3 years if it was already enjoyed; it does not apply to the self-employed person's relatives up to the second degree (Ley 20/2007, art. 38 ter). (Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 38 ter, 2026-11-14)
The managing body can pay up to 100% of the present value of the contributory unemployment benefit to anyone who sets up as self-employed or contributes capital to a company that is newly formed or less than 12 months old and that they will control; up to 15% can be used for advice, training and information (Ley 20/2007, art. 34). (Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34, 2026-11-14)
The application for the lump-sum payment must be dated before the activity starts; people who, in the previous 24 months, combined self-employment with the contributory benefit are not entitled to it; it can also be paid monthly to subsidise contributions (Ley 20/2007, art. 34). (Ley 20/2007, on the Self-Employed Workers' Statute, art. 34, 2026-11-14)
The following are exempt from the IAE: those starting an activity during their first 2 tax periods, individuals, and companies with a net turnover below €1,000,000 (Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, art. 82.1). (Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, consolidated text of the Local Finance Law, art. 82, 2026-11-14)
Anyone starting a professional activity gets a 50% reduction in the IAE amount for the 5 years following the second tax period; for business activities that pay the municipal rate, the local tax ordinance can set up to 50% in that same period (Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, art. 88). (Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, art. 88, 2026-11-14)
ENISA provides participation loans of €25,000 to €1,500,000 with no collateral or personal guarantees to SMEs incorporated in Spain with their own legal personality and equity at least equal to the loan. (ENISA, Financing for start-ups and SMEs, 2026-11-14)
The National Grants Database (BDNS) is the national system for publicising grants; the administrations report their calls and awards to it (Ley 38/2003, arts. 18 and 20). (Ley 38/2003 of 17 November, General Grants Law, arts. 18 and 20, 2026-11-14)
Repayment applies, among other cases, for failing in whole or in part to meet the objective or the activity, for insufficient justification, or for failing to meet the commitments taken on with the award (Ley 38/2003, art. 37.1). (Ley 38/2003, General Grants Law, art. 37, 2026-11-14)
Legal entities and bodies without legal personality are obliged to deal with the Administrations electronically; individuals can choose unless it is expressly required (Ley 39/2015, art. 14). (Ley 39/2015 of 1 October, on the Common Administrative Procedure, art. 14, 2026-11-14)
To submit applications on behalf of another person you have to prove representation, for example with a power of attorney granted apud acta on the administration's online portal or registered in the electronic register of powers of attorney (Ley 39/2015, arts. 5 and 6). (Ley 39/2015, arts. 5 and 6, 2026-11-14)
Aupamos is a private service of Vera Senses S.L., independent of any administration; the official call and its rules are the only valid source of the conditions of each grant (declared by the owner). (Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14), 2026-11-14)
The alerts are free: anyone who signs up with their email, their province and their profile (self-employed, SME, association or individual) receives by email every open grant that fits their province and profile, with a plain-language summary, the deadline and the link to the official call (declared by the owner). (Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14), 2026-11-14)
If the grant fits and the client accepts the proposal in writing, Aupamos prepares and submits the application on their behalf with their power of attorney, within the call's deadline, responds to any requests to correct the application and follows the file until the decision and payment (declared by the owner). (Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14), 2026-11-14)
The Administration that issues the call decides the award under the call's rules and its budget, and no award is ever assured; Aupamos undertakes to check the requirements, prepare and submit the application correctly and on time, respond to requests and follow the file (declared by the owner). (Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14), 2026-11-14)
Application handling is charged only if the grant is awarded and the client gets paid: 15% + VAT (21%) of the amount awarded up to €20,000 and 10% + VAT (21%) of the part between €20,000 and €100,000; it is invoiced once the amount is deposited in the client's account, with no advance payment; the client pays the fee with their own funds and it does not come out of the grant (declared by the owner). (Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14), 2026-11-14)
The eligibility check is free and is answered within 48 hours on working days from when the complete details are received (declared by the owner). (Vera Senses S.L., owner of aupamos.com (Aitor, 2026-11-14), 2026-11-14)

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