What’s the Agencia Tributaria (and Why Do People Call It Hacienda)?
If you’re self-employed in Spain, you’ll be dealing with the Agencia Tributaria, also known as the AEAT (Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria). It’s the national tax agency, and it handles everything from income tax and VAT to corporate tax, customs, and tax inspections. Basically, if there’s money going to the state, AEAT is the body that manages it.
You’ll often hear Spanish people call it Hacienda. Technically, Hacienda refers to the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the AEAT, but in everyday life, the two names are used interchangeably. When someone says “Hacienda sent me a letter”, they’re talking about AEAT — same system, same headaches.
How Do You Log In and Deal With It?
Nearly everything is done online these days. You’ll need to access the AEAT website to file your returns, check official notices, download tax certificates, or correct mistakes. To do that, you need to identify yourself using one of these methods:
Digital certificate (certificado digital): A secure ID file you install on your computer. It’s widely accepted across Spanish admin systems and works well once it’s set up.
Cl@ve PIN: A temporary access code linked to your ID and mobile. It’s useful if you don’t have a certificate or you’re using a shared or public device.
DNIe: Spain’s electronic national ID card, which works with a compatible card reader.
idCAT / CATCert: If you’re in Catalonia, you can use the regional digital certificate issued by the Catalan authority. It’s accepted for most tax-related tasks.
It’s worth sorting your access early on. AEAT will often send digital notifications with set deadlines, and if you don’t check or respond in time, it can cost you — even if it’s just a small error in an invoice or a form you forgot to file.
