Setting up a company in Spain as an expat
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Practice areaStarting or running a business in Spain comes with rules that are easy to get wrong from the outside. One lawyer who explains every step in plain English, from the first registration to the contracts that keep you protected.
Whether you are setting up your first Spanish company or need ongoing legal support for one already trading.
Most foreign founders use a Sociedad Limitada (SL), Spain's equivalent of a limited liability company. It requires a minimum share capital of 3,000 euros, a NIF for the company, and registration with the Registro Mercantil. We handle the paperwork and represent you at the notary if you cannot be there in person.
No. Directors and shareholders of a Spanish company do not need to be Spanish residents. Non-resident directors do need a NIE (foreigner identification number) for tax purposes, which we can help arrange.
With all documents in order, a straightforward SL formation typically takes a few weeks from name reservation to full registration. Delays usually come from missing paperwork or unclear ownership structures, which is why we review everything before submitting.
Yes, and we strongly recommend it. A contract written under Spanish commercial law can look reasonable in translation but carry obligations you did not intend to accept. We review the Spanish original, not a translation, before you commit to anything.
We first assess whether the contract allows for mediation or negotiation, which is usually faster and cheaper than court. If that fails, we can bring a commercial claim before the Spanish courts and represent you throughout.
