Set Up a Limited Liability Company in Spain

Planning to establish a Spanish subsidiary or launch a business in Spain? Echaniz Legal coordinates the corporate documentation and administrative steps involved in incorporating a Spanish Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.L.), including for non-resident founders and foreign corporate shareholders.

Professional fees from €1,500 per incorporation. The final quotation depends on the shareholders, corporate structure and agreed scope. Notary, Commercial Registry, translations, apostilles and other third-party charges are additional where applicable.

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What Our Spanish Company Formation Service Includes

• Initial review of the proposed ownership structure, shareholders, directors and intended activity.
• Coordination of the company name reservation with the Central Commercial Registry.
• Preparation or coordination of articles of association and the public deed of incorporation.
• Review of founder identification, representation and beneficial ownership documentation.
• Coordination of notarial formalities and the provisional or definitive Spanish NIF application, as applicable.
• Coordination of relevant tax census formalities, including Form 036 where required.
• Submission to and follow-up with the competent Commercial Registry.
• Delivery of registered corporate documentation and initial banking-documentation assistance within the agreed scope.

How the Incorporation Process Works

• 1. Initial enquiry. Share your country of residence, proposed shareholders, activity and ownership structure.
• 2. Tailored proposal. We confirm the scope, required documentation and professional fees.
• 3. Document preparation. We coordinate identification, foreign corporate records, powers of attorney and any necessary translations or legalisation.
• 4. Notarial incorporation. The deed is executed before a Spanish notary, personally or through an appropriately authorised representative where permitted.
• 5. Registration and handover. We coordinate the applicable tax and Commercial Registry steps and provide the resulting documentation.

Can Foreigners Incorporate a Spanish S.L.?

Foreign individuals and companies can generally hold shares in a Spanish S.L., including as sole shareholders. An S.L. with one shareholder is an S.L.U. The identification, foreign investment and sector-specific requirements must be reviewed for each case.

What Documents Will You Need?

Depending on the founders and their country of incorporation, the documents may include passports or other identity documents, NIE or NIF where required, foreign company registry extracts, evidence of signatory authority, powers of attorney, beneficial ownership details and information about the proposed company. Foreign documents may require an apostille or other legalisation and sworn translation.

Minimum Share Capital and Timing

A Spanish S.L. may generally be formed with capital starting at €1. Special legal reserve and potential shareholder liability rules apply while share capital is below €3,000. A suitable capital amount should be chosen in light of the company’s business needs.

The incorporation timetable varies according to document readiness, the notary, identification requirements and Commercial Registry processing. Any estimated completion date is indicative rather than guaranteed.

Can You Incorporate a Spanish Company Remotely?

Many preparatory steps can be coordinated from abroad. Depending on the circumstances, a duly authorised representative or an eligible online notarial process may be available. The specific identification and document formalities still apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign company own 100% of a Spanish S.L.?

Generally yes, subject to applicable identification, investment reporting and any regulated-sector requirements.

Does the company need a Spanish-resident director?

There is no universal rule requiring every Spanish S.L. to appoint a Spanish-resident director, although tax, identification and practical administration requirements should be assessed.

Does incorporation include a corporate bank account?

The incorporation service includes initial banking-documentation assistance within the agreed scope. Bank account opening and approval are controlled by the bank and may require a separate service. Read our corporate bank account guide.

Does incorporation automatically allow trading?

Not necessarily. Depending on the activity, further tax, social security, licensing or regulatory steps may be required before operations begin.

Explore Related Business Setup Services

Read our Spanish S.L. incorporation guide, compare subsidiaries and branches, or learn about Spanish NIF applications for foreign companies and corporate digital certificates.

Ready to Incorporate Your Spanish Company?

Tell us your shareholders’ countries, the planned activity, the proposed directors and your preferred timeframe. We will assess the scope and provide a tailored quotation.

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This page provides general information, not individual legal or tax advice. The service scope and applicable administrative requirements will be confirmed for each engagement.