Can I stop for a few months without closing my activity?
The options available and what each one means.
In a nutshell
- There's no self-employed "pause": you're either registered or deregistered.
- If you're going to stop for a few months, you can deregister and register again later.
- If you stop because of illness or the birth of a child, you don't deregister: you apply for the benefit.
Quiet seasons, travel or life changes: many self-employed people wonder whether they can stop for a few months without closing. These are the options.
Deregister and come back
You can deregister from Social Security and the Tax Office, and register again when you restart. You stop paying the contribution while you're deregistered. What you lose: if you were on the flat rate, it ends.
Stay registered without invoicing
You can stay registered even if you don't invoice, but you keep paying the contribution and filing your returns, even if they come to zero.
If you stop for health or family reasons
- Illness or accident: you get a sick note and apply for the benefit through your mutua.
- Birth or care of a child: you apply for the benefit from Social Security.
In those cases you don't deregister as self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I register and deregister?
You can do it several times a year. Registrations and deregistrations take effect from the day you state if you report them on time.