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VIRTUAL ONE STOP SHOP FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS

/Doing Business in Spain

The main ways for a foreign individual or company to operate in Spain are as follows:
  1. Setting up a Spanish company: the most common corporate forms are the Limited Liability Company (SL) and the Public Limited Company (SA). In both cases, the liability of the partners is limited to the capital they have paid in.
  2. Registering as an individual entrepreneur: the business activity is carried out directly by the individual, with no distinction between personal and business assets. His or her liability will be unlimited.
  3. Establishing a representative office: this is a minimal structure that is often used prior to the establishment in Spain of the foreign company through a branch, subsidiary, etc. It lacks its own legal personality and cannot carry out an economic activity.
  4. Establishing a Branch or permanent establishment: they do not have their own legal personality, so their legal liability is linked to the foreign parent company.
  5. Establishing a subsidiary: this is a new company with its own independent legal personality, although it is controlled by the foreign parent company
  6. Through business cooperation (Temporary Business Union –UTE-or Economic Interest Grouping -AEI-): this is one of the main ways to partner with established companies and entrepreneurs in Spain. Economic Interest Groupings have their own legal personality.
For more information, click here: Plataforma Pyme

/ Professional knowledge required

Starting a business in Spain typically involves working with professionals like notaries, the Commercial Register, and public administrations. Legal advice is recommended to help you choose the best corporate structure and complete all necessary procedures.

Consult other procedures