Open a Company in Spain (SL Incorporation)
To open a company in Spain you do not need to live here: we incorporate Spanish limited companies (SL) for non-resident clients entirely by power of attorney — residency in Spain is not required, and neither is travelling here. We handle every step from the NIE to the company’s tax registration, and we build the structure around what the company is actually for: operating a business, holding assets, or supporting a residency application.
Who it is for
- Founders and investors from Iran, the UAE, the GCC and Turkey who want a Spanish company without relocating first.
- Applicants for Self-Employed Visa (Cuenta Propia) or Entrepreneur Visa, whose company must be designed for the residency file from day one.
- Business owners who want an operating or holding company in Spain.
What’s included
Not included
- Sworn translations, apostilles and legalisations of the shareholders’ documents.
- Government fees and administrative charges (tasas).
- The company’s share capital, which remains the company’s own money.
- The bank’s decision to open the account: we prepare the file, the bank decides.
- Ongoing accounting and tax filings — see Accounting & Tax — Companies.
How we work
- 01 · Initial assessment. What the company is for — operating, holding or a residency file — and who its shareholders and directors will be.
- 02 · Strategy and document map. Company name, articles of association, shareholders’ documents and the legalisation each country requires.
- 03 · Preparation and filing. NIEs, power of attorney, name clearance, deed of incorporation before the notary and registration at the Commercial Registry.
- 04 · Registration and start of activity. Tax ID, census registration (Form 036), the D-1A declaration and the bank file.
- 05 · Obligations and renewals. Corporate books, annual accounts and quarterly returns, handled under Accounting & Tax — Companies.
Choosing the vehicle
- Sociedad Limitada (SL): the standard vehicle for operating companies, holding structures and most of our clients — flexible, low capital, limited liability.
- Subsidiary of an existing foreign company: when a group from the Gulf, Iran or Turkey wants a Spanish presence under its own brand — see Spanish Subsidiary of a Foreign Company.
After incorporation
- Corporate books, annual accounts and their filing at the Commercial Registry.
- Quarterly VAT and withholding returns, and annual corporate income tax.
- Registration of directors with Social Security where they are remunerated or hold control.
- We handle these obligations under Accounting & Tax — Companies.
Where our experience matters
- Bank onboarding is usually the slowest step for shareholders from Iran and parts of the region. We prepare the source-of-funds file banks expect and work with institutions that accept these profiles.
- Company structure and residency are linked: a company set up for an entrepreneur, self-employment or ICT application must be designed for that purpose from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Spain to open a company in Spain?
No. We incorporate Spanish companies for non-resident clients entirely by power of attorney. Residency in Spain is not required, and neither is travelling here.
What is the minimum share capital?
An SL can be formed from €1, with reinforced reserve rules until equity reaches €3,000. The share capital is not included in the service and remains the company’s own money.
How long does incorporation take?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks, depending mainly on the NIEs and the bank.
What corporate income tax will the company pay?
The general rate is 25%, with a reduced rate for new companies in their first profitable years.
Is opening the bank account included?
We prepare the complete bank file — KYC and source-of-funds documentation — and work with institutions that accept these profiles. The decision to open the account belongs to the bank.