How to start your company in Spain? As opposed to some other EU countries, creating your own company in Spain is no easy task. You’ll need determination and perseverance and, ideally, some professional help. The process for setting up a company can be broken down into simple steps, however, it is advisable to be assisted by a professional advisor to avoid delays and pitfalls. Let us walk you through a list of 10 steps to give you a feeling for the process involved.
This article, 10 steps to start your company in Spain, is written by ACCOMPANY.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is of a general nature and based on authorities that are subject to change. Applicability of the information to specific situations should be determined through consultation with our tax or legal advisors for your individual case.
10 Steps to start your company in Spain
Get shareholder tax identification numbers
To carry out any legal or economic transaction in Spain, all shareholders and directors must have a Spanish tax identification number. For individuals (including foreign founders), this is a Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE), while foreign legal entities (such as overseas companies acting as shareholders) require a Número de Identificación Fiscal (NIF). After incorporation, the Spanish company itself will also be assigned a NIF, which functions as its tax and VAT ID.
As of 2025, the Modelo 036 form used to apply for a NIF has been redesigned to be more intuitive and efficient, streamlining the process for both foreign individuals and entities. However, delays may still occur due to consular processing, required legalisations, and translations. We recommend starting this process early.
Note: Non-EU/EEA citizens (including UK nationals post-Brexit), must also hold a valid Spanish residence permit in order to act as a director or register with Spanish tax authorities. As of 2025, the main residency routes for foreign founders include:
- Entrepreneur Visa (Startup Law): A 3-year residence permit for launching innovative businesses in Spain. Applications can be submitted from abroad or within Spain, and may include family members.
- UK Nationals Post-Brexit: Must now apply for a visa (such as the entrepreneur, self-employed, or non-lucrative visa) before forming or managing a company.
- Arraigo (2025 Reform): Enables those already living in Spain for 2 years (previously 3) to regularise their status and apply for work/residence permits, including for business activity.
Define type of company and governance
It’s important to decide what type of company fits your objectives:
- Private Limited Company
- Public Limited Company
- General Partnership
- Non-profit Foundation
- Branch Office Subsidiary.
A second important aspect is deciding on the company’s governance:
- A sole director
- Joint directors
- A board of directors
(With either full, shared, or limited powers).
Decide on the company name and brand
For the official company name, you will need to submit five potential company names to be registered in the Registro Mercantil Central. The Registro Mercantil Central will then check their availabilities, this process usually takes a couple of days. Also, if you are launching a product or service under a different brand name, you should consider registering a trademark in Spain or in the European Union and reserve the corresponding domains for websites and social media platforms to avoid any confusion.
Prepare company statutes, bylaws and deed of incorporation
These documents will define your company’s legal identity: its location, shareholding structure, capital, and governance. If your setup falls within standard templates approved by Spanish authorities, a fast-track process is available via authorised PAE centres using the CIRCE platform.
start your company in spain
Open a Spanish bank account
Once you establish your company in Spain, you will also need to open a Spanish bank account. Once your company has a registered name you can open a bank account. First, to activate the account, the company will have to be registered in the trade register. Note that Spanish tax and social security authorities only work with certain partner banks, you can find more details here. The process of opening a bank account can be slow and bureaucratic.
Sign before the public notary
Once the statutes and deed of incorporation are finalised, the company must be formally established by signing in front of a Spanish notary. The documents you’ll need include:
- Identification + NIE/NIF of shareholders and directors
- Name certificate from the trade register
- Bank certificate
- Statutes and bylaws
ACCOMPANY can help you arrange an appointment with a trusted English-speaking notary and will prepare all documentation. All founding members of the company must be physically present to sign the deed of incorporation or represented via a notarised power of attorney.
Obtain the company’s fiscal identification number (NIF)
Now that the Deed of Incorporation has been signed, the next step is to request a fiscal identification number for the company from the Spanish tax agency (AEAT). Once this has been assigned, in a matter of days you can start your activity. In Spain, the fiscal identification number also serves as the company identification number and VAT number at the same time.
Inscription trade register
Meanwhile, you must register the deed with the local Trade Register, which takes approximately three weeks. The incorporation of the company will also be published in the BORME (official public bulletin board).
After registration, you can activate the bank account and apply for the digital certificate, which is mandatory for all online interaction with Spanish authorities.
Registration tax agency census
To legally start operations, you must declare the company’s activity type, start date, business classification, and locations to the AEAT. In 2025, this step has become faster thanks to a redesigned Modelo 036 form that is clearer and more accessible. You are also required to register for electronic communication via the DEHU system. From the declared start date, your company must maintain standard accounting records and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual tax declarations.
Start your company in Spain: Corporate Social Security Number
If you plan to hire employees, you’ll need an employer social security number (Código de Cuenta de Cotización, CCC) from the local social security office (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, TGSS). Employees must have legal residency and a personal Spanish social security number (NAF).
About ACCOMPANY
ACCOMPANY is an English-speaking consultancy firm supporting international companies, investors, and entrepreneurs in Spain. BCNBS offers a full range of legal, tax and payroll services that cover all essential administrative business needs for setting up and running representations, subsidiaries, or Spanish limited companies.
When running a company, you should focus on what matters most and have the peace of mind that everything else just works. That is where ACCOMPANY comes in.
They specialise in setting up and supporting Spanish companies with international shareholders. Their goal is to provide clarity in a complex bureaucratic environment with different laws, languages, and cultures and to satisfy expectations in terms of speed, transparency, and quality of service.
ACCOMPANY is in charge of all legal, fiscal, and social obligations for setting up and running a limited company in Spain. To ensure fast and effective service, they work 100% paperless and use cloud technology connected to chambers of commerce, mercantile, property registers, banks, tax authorities and social security services.
Optimize your time and resources by letting ACCOMPANY handle your administrative needs in the most efficient way possible and concentrate on what matters most: Making your business work!
Add a comment