Register with the Special Social Security Scheme for the Self-Employed

Once you have filed form 036/037 with the Tax Agency, you must go to a Social Security Treasury office, request the registration form for the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA), complete it and submit it.

Unlike form 036/037, this form is fairly easy to complete. Be sure to read the official instructions. Ideally, fill it in at home with enough time and then submit it in person at the Social Security office so you can resolve any questions and the clerk can verify that everything looks correct.

Key fields / common questions

Contribution base. The most common choice is to contribute at the minimum base (€875.70 in 2014). The higher your base, the greater your entitlements in the event of accident, paternity/maternity, retirement, etc.
IAE code (business activity code). You can look it up on this page. The heading for translators is 774.
Mutua (mutual insurance society) for temporary incapacity due to common contingencies. They are all very similar. The mutua pays disability benefits if you become unable to work. You can choose any of the approved societies (see logos above).

Note: Once registered as self-employed with Social Security, you must pay the monthly contribution. The amount is the contribution base × applicable rate. For self-employed workers the rate is usually 29.80%. In 2014 the minimum monthly payment was €261.84.