Spanish Business Setup — Managed End-to-End by Our Team
From company registration to your first business bank account, we handle the paperwork so you can focus on running your business in Spain — not decoding Spanish bureaucracy.
We manage the full business setup process for foreign founders: company registration, bank account opening, registered address, and startup certification — coordinated as one project instead of separate errands.
Overview
Setting up a company in Spain is a well-defined process, but it involves several institutions that don't always talk to each other: the Commercial Registry, the Tax Agency, a notary, and your bank. Most US and UK founders we work with are setting up a Sociedad Limitada (SL) — the Spanish equivalent of a UK Ltd or a US LLC — either as the operating entity behind a Startup Visa application, a self-employment structure, or a straightforward local subsidiary.
The order of operations matters. You generally need an NIE before you can be listed as an administrator, a reserved company name before you can sign at the notary, and a Spanish bank account before you can deposit share capital. We sequence these steps so nothing stalls waiting on something else.
What We Help With
Company Registration
Full incorporation of a Sociedad Limitada (SL): name reservation, notary deed, Commercial Registry filing, and tax registration.
Startup ENISA Certification
Certify your company as an official "startup" under Spain's Startup Law to unlock reduced corporate tax and visa-linked benefits.
Business Bank Account
Open a corporate account for capital deposit and day-to-day operations, with FATCA and CRS paperwork handled correctly the first time.
Virtual Office & Registered Address
A compliant registered address and mail-handling service if you're not renting commercial premises from day one.
How It Fits Together
Company formation rarely happens in isolation. Most clients also need an NIE number before incorporation, VAT/IVA registration once the company is trading (see Tax & Accounting), and ongoing bookkeeping once invoices start going out. If your business is the basis for your residency, it usually connects to a Startup Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa application, so we coordinate company formation with your immigration file rather than treating them as separate projects.
FAQ
Do I need to live in Spain to set up a Spanish company?
No. You can incorporate an SL as a non-resident, provided you have an NIE and can either travel to Spain to sign at the notary or grant power of attorney to a representative who signs on your behalf.
Can I use my Spanish company to sponsor my own visa?
In some cases, yes — this is common with the Startup Visa route, where the company itself is the basis for residency. It's a distinct legal pathway from setting up a company as an already-resident entrepreneur, so we assess which order makes sense for your situation.
USWill setting up a Spanish company affect my US tax filing?
Owning a foreign company typically triggers additional US reporting (such as Form 5471) on top of your regular return. We don't file US taxes, but we make sure you have the Spanish-side documentation your US accountant needs, and can refer you to specialists familiar with cross-border filings.
UKDoes a Spanish company change how I'm taxed on UK income?
It can, depending on where you're tax resident and how the company is structured. This is where Spanish company law and UK tax residency rules intersect, so we recommend reviewing your setup with a cross-border tax adviser before incorporating — we can flag the Spanish-side implications during that conversation.
How long does the whole process take, from NIE to a trading company?
Timelines vary with notary availability and how quickly documents are gathered, but plan for several weeks from your first NIE appointment to a fully registered, bank-account-ready company. We give you a realistic sequence at the start rather than a single headline number.
What's the difference between an SL and registering as autónomo?
An SL is a separate legal entity with limited liability; autónomo is self-employment registration where you and the business are legally the same person. Which fits depends on liability exposure, tax planning, and whether you plan to hire. See our Autónomo Registration page for the self-employment route.
Not sure which structure fits your plans?
Tell us what you're building and where you're starting from. We'll map out the registration steps, likely costs, and timeline specific to your situation.
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