What you’ll need to paint murals in Spain (and how to get it)
You’ve got the talent. We’ll help you with the rest.
Before they let you up on the platform, companies will ask for paperwork. We tell you which documents and why, and connect you with people who can sort them out.
Don’t lose a mural over a missing document
When you work for a large company, your name goes through purchasing and health and safety. If a document is missing, you don’t get on site: if there’s an accident or an inspection, the company is liable.
Seven things you’ll be asked for (and why)
Tick the ones you’re interested in: they’re added to the form automatically.
Registering as self-employed and accounting
Without registering you can’t invoice. The usual activity code for a muralist is 861 of the IAE.
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What it is: registering with Social Security as self-employed (RETA) and with the Tax Agency (form 036 or 037). A company that pays you while you’re unregistered risks an inspection.
What you get: you can invoice any client, you pay into your pension and you’re covered if you fall ill or have an accident.
Tax and Social Security certificates
Large companies ask for them on every job. You can get them in minutes with a digital certificate.
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Why: a company that hires you can end up liable for its subcontractors’ debts. That’s why companies ask for them, often through an online platform.
Tip: keep your digital certificate installed. The certificates expire and you’ll be asked for up-to-date ones on every job.
Invoicing, VAT and income tax
Invoices to companies carry a 15% income tax withholding (IRPF), which the company pays to the Tax Agency for you.
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A correct invoice: with all the required details and the right withholding. Otherwise accounts will send it back and you’ll be paid later.
VAT on a mural has its own rules: check with an accountant before invoicing.
Health and safety and contractor coordination (CAE)
If you paint on another company’s premises, you must coordinate on health and safety, even if you’re self-employed.
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What you’ll be asked for: your registration and certificates, a risk assessment of your work, health and safety and working-at-height training, protective equipment and liability insurance.
Why: if there’s an accident, the first thing the Labour Inspectorate checks is whether you coordinated.
MEWP training (aerial work platforms)
Without the course certificate (Spanish standard UNE 58923) you can’t operate the aerial work platform.
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The «licence»: it’s the certificate the training centre gives you at the end of the course, by machine type (cherry picker, scissor lift…). It isn’t issued by the government.
Why: it’s the requirement that stops more murals than any other. Without it, neither rental companies nor building sites will let you go up.
Working at height, scaffolding and harnesses
Above 2 metres, scaffolding, harnesses and ropes require specific training.
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Scaffolding: it may only be put up by trained people under the supervision of a qualified technician. You can paint on it, but not put it up yourself.
Ropes and harness: rope access requires theory and practical training and a rescue plan before you start.
Liability insurance
The law doesn’t require it for a muralist, but many clients, property owners and city councils will ask for it.
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What it covers: damage you cause to others while painting, such as paint on a car, a can falling on a passer-by or damage to the façade. It doesn’t cover your own injuries or time off work.
What to check: that it covers work at height and that the insurer can issue a certificate for each job, with the amount of cover the client asks for.
How it works
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Frequently asked questions
What do I need to paint murals for companies in Spain?
Usually: to be registered (as self-employed, or through a company or cooperative), certificates showing you’re up to date with the Tax Agency and Social Security, health and safety coordination with the client and, if you work at height, MEWP and working-at-height training. Many clients will also ask for liability insurance.
Do I need liability insurance to paint murals?
It isn’t required by law for a muralist, but many clients, property owners and sometimes city councils ask for it before granting a permit. It covers damage you cause to others, such as paint on a car or an object falling on a passer-by. It doesn’t cover your own injuries or time off work.
What is a MEWP licence and what does it certify?
It’s the course certificate to operate mobile elevating work platforms. It certifies that you’ve received the specific training the law requires. It isn’t a government licence: it’s issued by a training centre, which must follow the UNE 58923 standard.
What income tax is withheld from an artist’s invoices?
When you invoice a company in Spain, the income tax withholding (IRPF) is 15%: the company deducts it from the invoice and pays it to the Tax Agency for you. If you have questions about your case, tick «Invoicing, VAT and income tax» in the form.
Street art is a profession too
The more artists have their paperwork in order, the more companies will dare to commission murals.
General information, updated October 2026. It does not replace professional advice for your specific case. About us