Where should we start when doing business in Spain?
Define what you will offer, where your customers will be, who will operate in Spain and which functions will stay in your home country. With that information we can compare a company, a branch, self-employment or an agreement with a local partner.
What does a foreign founder need to set up a Spanish S.L.?
Foreign nationals can set up a company in Spain. Start by gathering this information for a Spanish private limited company.
- Company name and name clearance certificate from the Central Commercial Registry.
- Shareholder and director details and tax IDs. If a foreign company is a shareholder, we review its corporate documents and powers of attorney.
- Planned activity, registered address and information needed to draft the articles of association.
- Share capital, contributions and supporting evidence where applicable.
We check whether foreign documents need to be translated or legalised. If a shareholder or director will live or work in Spain, we also assess their immigration status.
PAE guide to setting up a Spanish S.L. via CIRCE (Spanish PDF)What affects the incorporation timeline?
The structure, availability of shareholder documents, and notary and registry schedules all play a part. Online incorporation can shorten the process when the project is eligible and the paperwork is ready.
Who coordinates the process and what happens afterwards?
During incorporation, you have a single point of contact who coordinates the work with the team. Once you are operating, we can handle accounting, tax, payroll and other recurring matters as agreed.
How do I know if a tax incentive fits my project?
We review the entity type, activity, tax year and investment. This lets us check each measure's conditions and documentation, and compare its effect with ordinary taxation.
What obligations apply without a permanent establishment?
Operations in Spain can trigger tax identification, filing or representation requirements. We review contracts, sales, premises and people involved in the activity to establish what applies.
Can you handle permits for staff and their families?
We review the reason for the move, the relationship with the company and each family member's circumstances. We can coordinate the documents and follow up on the applications. The relevant authority makes the decision.
Can you help with housing, offices and schools?
Yes. We compare locations against the company's criteria and support families with housing searches, school choices and local procedures.