Immigration lawyers in Spain
Business Setup in Spain
Incorporate a Sociedad Limitada, the Spanish limited company: a separate legal entity, with liability limited to what you put into it. We handle the whole process — from the name certificate to the tax registration.

The Sociedad Limitada
The Sociedad Limitada
The SL is the standard vehicle for doing business in Spain. This is what it means in practice, before you commit to it.
| What it is | A separate legal entity that you own |
| Liability | Limited to the company, with narrow exceptions |
| Tax | Corporate tax, at a flat rate |
| Set-up cost | Notary, mercantile registry and name certificate |
| Set-up time | Weeks |
| Minimum capital | From €1, with conditions below €3,000 |
| Ongoing admin | Full accounting, annual accounts and corporate filings |
| Best when | You have partners, real liability exposure, or profits that make the flat corporate rate worthwhile |
Registering a business is not a permit to work
If you are not an EU citizen, incorporating a company does not give you the right to work in Spain. They are separate things: the company registration is with the notary, the tax authority and the mercantile registry, and the right to work comes from your residence permit.
Doing it the wrong way round — setting up the company first and looking at immigration afterwards — is one of the more expensive mistakes we are asked to unpick. If you do not already hold a permit that allows you to run a business in Spain, start there.
Key points
Key points
An SL from €1
The minimum share capital was reduced, though capital under €3,000 comes with conditions.
You can do it from abroad
Non-residents can incorporate through a representative, once the NIEs are in place.
Corporate tax at a flat rate
Companies are taxed at a flat corporate rate rather than on the progressive personal scale.
Everyone needs an NIE
Every foreign shareholder and director, before anything can be signed.
Online route available
Some incorporations can go through the electronic system rather than the full paper route.
A registered address in Spain
Every company needs a Spanish registered address from the moment it is incorporated.
The €1 company
The €1 company, and what it really means
The minimum share capital for a Sociedad Limitada is now €1. That is true, and it is also the part most often quoted without the rest of the sentence.
| If your capital is under €3,000 | What that means |
|---|---|
| Legal reserve | You must set aside a fixed share of profits into the legal reserve each year until reserve and capital together reach €3,000 |
| Liability on liquidation | If the company is wound up and its assets do not cover its debts, the shareholders answer for the difference up to €3,000 |
| In practice | Suppliers, banks and landlords look at share capital. A company incorporated with €1 is legal, and it is also harder to open an account for and harder to be taken seriously by. |
Our view
Incorporate with the capital your business actually needs, not with the legal minimum. The €1 figure removed a barrier for people who genuinely had no capital. It is not, on its own, a reason to start a company with none.
Incorporating a company
Incorporating a company
| Step | What happens | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| 1NIE for everyone involved | Every foreign shareholder and director needs one before anything can be signed. | Non-residents can act through a representative with power of attorney. |
| 2Company name | A name certificate from the Central Mercantile Registry, reserving the name you have chosen. | Submit several options — first choices are often taken. |
| 3Bank account and capital | A company account in formation, the share capital paid in. | The bank certificate that proves it. |
| 4Deed of incorporation | Signed before a notary. | The articles of association and the appointment of directors. |
| 5Tax registration | The company’s tax number, and registration of the activity with the tax authority. | Form 036 and the activity codes. |
| 6Mercantile Registry | Registration of the deed. The company exists as a legal entity from this point. | The signed deed and the registry fees. |
Where it slows down
Almost always at step 1. Getting NIEs for foreign shareholders who are not in Spain is the long pole, and everything else waits for it. If you are planning an incorporation, start the NIEs before anything else.
Required documents
Required documents
Company incorporation
- Passport and NIE of every shareholder and director
- Proof of address for each of them
- Three or more proposed company names, in order of preference
- The intended activity and the corporate objects
- The share capital and how it is divided between shareholders
- Bank certificate confirming the capital has been paid in
- Power of attorney, if anyone is signing from abroad — apostilled and sworn-translated
- The registered address of the company
The documents listed here are indicative. Every case has to be assessed individually: depending on your activity, your shareholders and where they are, the notary and the registry may ask for more. Tell us your situation and we will send you the list that actually applies to you.
Our service
What we do for you
Included
- The right company structure for your actual circumstances
- Checking that your immigration status allows what you are planning
- NIE applications for shareholders and directors
- Company name certificate
- Drafting of the articles and the incorporation documents
- Notary appointment and attendance
- Tax registration and the company tax number
- Mercantile Registry filing
- Digital certificate for the company
- Direct contact with your case manager throughout
Not included
- Notary and mercantile registry fees
- Administrative fees (tasas)
- Apostilles and sworn translations
- The share capital itself
- Ongoing accounting, payroll and tax filings
- Residence applications, which are a separate service
- Premises licences and sector-specific permits
Fees
Fees and payment options
Up-front Payment
€400 + VAT
One shareholder
- When you payAt the start of the assignment
- Each additional shareholder€150 + VAT
- Formalised withUpon payment
- Best ifYou want the lower fee
Pay For Success
€600 + VAT
One shareholder
- When you payOnly after the company is registered
- Each additional shareholder€225 + VAT
- Formalised withSigned Service Sheet
- Best ifYou want to transfer the risk
In one line: we start working without payment; you only pay once the company is registered, and the fee reflects the risk we take on.
Notary and mercantile registry fees, administrative fees (tasas), apostilles and sworn translations are not included.
Get the setup checklist
Everything you need to incorporate your company in Spain. Tell us your project and we will send you the version that applies to you.
Let our clients do the talking
What do our clients say?
Consultations
Still have questions?
Our immigration specialists in Spain are happy to answer them.
15 min
Quick eligibility check — free
45 min
Case review
60 min
Full strategy session
Consultation fees are deducted from our fees if you go ahead.
Related services
Looking for something else?
Contact us
Request your document checklist
Tell us about your project, your shareholders and where they are, and we will get back to you within 24 hours with the steps and the documents that apply.