Enter the Spanish market with a local partner who knows the terrain
Expanding into Spain involves strategic, legal, and operational decisions that can make or break your launch. Navigating a new regulatory environment, finding the right local professionals, and getting your structure right from the start are not things to figure out as you go.
We support companies expanding into Spain by coordinating key steps — market entry, legal setup, compliance, and local integration. We act as your on-the-ground partner, helping you navigate the Spanish business environment with the confidence of someone who already knows how it works.
How we help you
We support companies expanding into Spain by coordinating key steps — market entry, legal setup, compliance, and local integration. We act as your on-the-ground partner, helping you navigate the Spanish business environment with the confidence of someone who already knows how it works.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1. Choosing your legal structure
The two most common options for foreign companies entering Spain are the Sociedad Limitada (SL) — the Spanish equivalent of a private limited company — or a branch (sucursal) of your existing foreign entity. The right choice depends on your liability preferences, tax situation, and long-term plans. We walk you through the differences and connect you with a local lawyer or gestor to formalise the setup.
2. Company incorporation
Incorporating a company in Spain requires a notary, registration with the Mercantile Registry (Registro Mercantil), and obtaining a tax identification number for the entity (NIF). The process typically takes two to four weeks when documents are in order. We coordinate the steps and liaise with the relevant professionals on your behalf.
3. Tax registration and compliance
Once registered, your entity needs to be enrolled for the relevant taxes — VAT (IVA) and corporate tax (Impuesto de Sociedades) being the main ones. Ongoing filing obligations apply from day one. We connect you with a local asesoría fiscal that handles both the initial registration and the ongoing compliance, so nothing is missed after setup.
4. Business Banking
Opening a business bank account in Spain as a foreign company can be more involved than expected — requirements vary by bank and depend on your country of origin and the nature of your activity. We help you prepare the right documentation and identify a suitable banking option for your situation, whether that’s a traditional Spanish bank or a digital alternative.
Options range from traditional Spanish banks (BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank, Sabadell) to newer digital-first alternatives like Wise Business or Revolut Business, which are faster to open and increasingly accepted for business operations in Spain.
5. Office and operational base
Whether you need a registered address, a coworking space to start, or a permanent office, we help you identify what fits your stage and connect you with the right providers. Valencia offers a competitive range of options compared to Madrid or Barcelona.
6. Local hiring and employment law
If you plan to hire in Spain, understanding the labour framework matters — Social Security contributions, contract types, and collective agreements (convenios colectivos) all differ significantly from other markets. We connect you with HR advisors or labour lawyers who can guide your first hires correctly.
7. Sector-specific licences
Some industries require additional authorisations before operating — food and beverage, healthcare, financial services, and education are among the most regulated. We help you identify what applies to your activity early, before it becomes a bottleneck.
Looking for a full end-to-end solution for your Spanish expansion? Explore our Pro Pass, designed for entrepreneurs and companies.
