Writer, work, business and driving
Degree in International Business, Université Paris Dauphine-PSL, Paris
Steve McKendry writes the guides on working, building a business and driving in Spain for Americans and Britons who are moving. His work covers the questions that come once the visa is settled: employment contracts and the Seguridad Social, setting up as an autónomo or a company, working remotely for a foreign employer, and the road side of the move: exchanging a foreign driving licence, registering a car and the rules that apply on arrival.
He studied International Business at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL in Paris, where he focused on cross-border employment and the practical side of running a small business abroad. He has worked in international business development and lives in Paris, and he reads employment, tax and traffic rules in English, French and Spanish.
His method is the site's: every figure and deadline comes from the competent authority's own page, is linked in the text and carries its date. His guides cite the BOE, the Seguridad Social, the Agencia Tributaria and the Dirección General de Tráfico directly.
His work is practical information, not legal or tax advice. When a situation calls for a gestor, an employment lawyer or an adviser, he says so and helps you prepare for that meeting.
Writes on: Working in Spain, Autónomo and company set-up, Remote work for foreign employers, Driving licences and vehicles
Who may work for themselves after Brexit, the Social Security and tax registrations, 2026 contributions, the uncertain flat rate, quarterly returns, and closing the UK side with HMRC.
Who may take a job in Spain, the two permit routes, the contract rules, minimum wage, Social Security registration, withholding, unemployment benefit and the UK side.
Who can use Spain's special impatriate regime after a move from the UK, the routes that open it, the rates, the six-month Modelo 149 deadline and what the treaty pages say about UK income.
A UK-plated car is a visitor for 6 months and a problem once you live in Spain. The clocks, the import steps, registration tax, ITV, insurance, and buying a car in Spain.
How Britons who move to Spain swap a UK driving licence for a Spanish one under the 2023 agreement: the six-month limit, the check code, the medical report and the licences left out.
Name certificate, NIEs, deed and registry with their deadlines and fee caps, the 2026 corporate tax rates, RETA for directors, permits, and the IRS forms an American owner files.
Which permits allow it, when U.S. clients pay Spanish VAT, the invoice and Modelo 303 boxes, Modelo 130 without withholding, the certificate that ends U.S. self-employment tax, and the U.S. forms.
Who runs Spain's trains, the 2026 passes and discounts open to U.S. residents, what EU law, Renfe and Ouigo pay when a train is late or canceled, and where to take a complaint.
The rules that change on October 1, 2026, the V-16 beacon, speed and alcohol limits, what a fine costs and how it reaches you, points, tolls and the low-emission zones of Madrid and Barcelona.
Which pass to buy in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga, the papers a newcomer needs for a personal card, the 2026 state discounts, the Abono Único, bikes and e-scooters.
Why no agreement covers a U.S. license, the medical report, the 94.05 euro fee for two sittings, the theory and road tests, the driving school rule and which novice rules apply to you.
How long a U.S. license stays valid in Spain for visitors, residents and students, whether you need an IDP, who can exchange a U.S. license, and the likely 500 euro fine after month six.
The permit that comes first, written and oral contracts, the trial period, fixed-term limits, pay in 12 or 14 installments, payroll contributions, severance and unemployment benefit.
Who qualifies after 5 years of non-residence, what the 24 percent rate covers, the 6-month Modelo 149 deadline, your spouse and children, and what the regime changes for an American's filings.
The self-employed permit or the telework route, the tax and Social Security registrations, contributions on real net income, the disputed 80 euro flat rate, and quarterly VAT and income tax.
Spain Navigator
Stop searching. It is all in one place.
The app that puts every step of your move to Spain in order, from visa to settling in.
Discover the app
