Autónomoautónoma

Autónomoautónoma is a Spanish compound term that combines the masculine and feminine forms of the adjective autónomo, meaning “self‑employed” or “independent.” In practice the phrase is rarely written as a single word; official documents, tax forms and social‑security references use autónomo (for men) and autónoma (for women). The double form, however, can appear in informal contexts or as a shorthand in summary tables to emphasize that the status applies to both genders.

Legally, an autónomo is a natural person who carries out a professional or commercial activity independently, without belonging to an employer–employee relationship. In Spain this status is regulated by the Ley de la Seguridad Social and the Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas (IRPF). Autónomos are required to register with the Social Security system, pay contributory premiums, and file quarterly VAT and income‑tax declarations. The tax regime offers certain deductions for expenditures directly related to the activity, such as tools, office rent and professional training.

The term also appears in comparative legal studies of self‑employment in the Spanish‑speaking world, where the differences between the Spanish system and those in Mexico, Argentina or the Caribbean are often highlighted. In such comparative contexts, “autónomo” or “autónoma” is used as a category to discuss labor flexibility, social‑security coverage, and the impact on gender equality in the informal sector.

Despite occasional typographical variations, the accepted normative use remains the two‑word form, with the gendered adjective matching the person’s sex. The concept itself underscores the emphasis on autonomy in modern economic activity within Spanish‑language jurisdictions.