Can You Set Up a Business in Spain from Abroad? How Remote Company Incorporation Works, Which Documents Are Required and Why a Power of Attorney Is Essential
Lawants Guide · Remote Company Formation in Spain Setting up a company in Spain remotely is entirely possible for foreign founders, non-resident entrepreneurs and international companies. Through a properly drafted Power of Attorney, a Spanish company can be incorporated from abroad, with a legal representative completing the notarial and registration formalities on your behalf.
But remote incorporation is not just a digital formality. The real challenge is preparing the correct sequence: NIE for individual founders, NIF for foreign corporate shareholders, company name reservation, notarial deed, Registro Mercantil filing, tax activation, bank account, VAT, VIES and digital certificate.
This guide explains how remote company incorporation in Spain actually works, what documents are required, where foreign founders usually get stuck, and how Lawants coordinates the process from initial structure to a company that is ready to operate.
Can You Really Set Up a Company in Spain Without Travelling?
Yes. Foreign entrepreneurs and international companies can incorporate a Spanish company without being physically present in Spain. In fact, remote company formation has become the standard route for many founders entering the Spanish and European markets from abroad.
- You can set up a company in Spain without travelling.
- A Power of Attorney allows the process to be completed remotely.
- Foreign founders generally need a NIE before incorporation.
- Foreign corporate shareholders usually require a Spanish NIF.
- Spanish residency is not required to own or manage the company.
- Most incorporations are completed within 7–10 working days from complete documentation.
Spain continues to attract foreign investment thanks to its strategic position within the European Union, strong connections with Latin America and business-friendly environment. For many founders, establishing a Spanish company is the first step towards serving European clients or building a long-term presence in the country.
Through a properly drafted Power of Attorney, a legal representative in Spain can complete the incorporation process on your behalf, including the notarial signing, Commercial Registry filings and initial tax registrations.
However, remote company incorporation in Spain is not simply a matter of completing forms online. NIE applications, foreign corporate shareholder documentation, NIF registrations, banking requirements and tax activation must all be coordinated in the correct order.
When properly planned, a Spanish company can be incorporated entirely remotely. Most delays do not arise because the founder is abroad, but because the process starts with incomplete documentation, unnecessary formalities or incorrectly prepared powers of attorney.
Setting up a company in Spain remotely is possible. Doing it with a team that works with foreign founders every day makes the difference.
Lawants is a multidisciplinary firm based in Barcelona and Madrid that has been assisting foreign entrepreneurs, investors and international companies in Spain for over 20 years.
We handle the company incorporation process directly from Spain: Powers of Attorney, shareholder documentation, notarial deed, Commercial Registry, tax activation and the accounting, employment and corporate steps required to start operating.
Each request is personally reviewed by Roberto Bosco, Managing Director of Lawants, to assess the most suitable structure for the project.
Managing Director, Lawants
Personally reviews each request
Can a Non-Resident Set Up a Company in Spain from Abroad?
Yes. Spanish law allows foreign individuals and foreign companies to incorporate a Spanish company even if they are not resident in Spain and have never travelled to the country.
In most cases, the founders can also complete the entire incorporation process remotely through a properly drafted Power of Attorney, without attending the Spanish notary in person.
The most common situations where remote company incorporation might be required include:
- Foreign entrepreneurs launching a new business in Spain.
- International investors seeking access to the Spanish and European markets.
- Foreign companies opening a Spanish subsidiary or establishing a local presence.
- Digital businesses and startups that need a Spanish corporate structure while operating internationally.
- Property investors who require a Spanish company for real estate or commercial activities.
Spanish nationality and Spanish tax residency are generally not required. What is required depends on the structure of the project, but typically includes a NIE for individual shareholders and directors, a Power of Attorney and, where a foreign company is involved, a Spanish NIF for the corporate shareholder.
Do You Need a Residence Permit to Set Up a Company in Spain Remotely?
No. You do not need a Spanish residence permit, visa or work authorisation to incorporate, own or act as director of a Spanish company from abroad. Non-residents can complete the incorporation process remotely through a Power of Attorney.
However, the situation changes if you plan to relocate to Spain. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may need a residence permit, entrepreneur visa, self-employed permit or another immigration route to live and work in Spain personally.
What Do You Need to Set Up a Company in Spain Remotely?
Remote company formation in Spain is often presented as a simple administrative process. In reality, the success of the incorporation depends less on the fact that the founder is abroad and more on the quality of the preparation before the first document is signed.
For most foreign founders, the process requires a combination of personal tax identification numbers, corporate registrations, powers of attorney and supporting documentation.
The exact requirements and documents vary depending on whether the shareholder is an individual or a foreign company, but the underlying principle remains the same: the documentation must be complete, correctly drafted and submitted in the right sequence.
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Power of Attorney drafted specifically for Spanish company formation.
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NIE for all foreign shareholders and directors.
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Spanish NIF for any foreign company acting as shareholder.
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Valid passport and supporting identification documents.
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Registered address in Spain for corporate and tax purposes.
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Company name reservation with the Central Commercial Registry.
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Corporate documentation for foreign shareholder companies, where applicable.
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Banking and tax activation plan prepared before incorporation.
Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial)
The Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial) is the legal mechanism that makes remote company formation possible. Through this document, a representative in Spain is authorised to act on your behalf for the incorporation process, including the notarial signing, Commercial Registry filings and initial tax registrations.
In practice, the Power of Attorney replaces the founder’s physical presence in Spain. Rather than travelling to attend the notarial signing personally, the authorised representative completes the required legal and administrative formalities on your behalf.
Depending on the country where the document is signed, notarisation, apostille or legalisation requirements may apply. In some cases, translations may also be required.
One of the most common mistakes we see is founders being asked to obtain certifications, apostilles or sworn translations that are not actually necessary for their specific situation. This often creates delays and additional costs before the incorporation has even started.
For this reason, the objective is not collecting more documents, but ensuring that the Power of Attorney is correctly drafted, appropriately scoped and supported only by the documentation genuinely required.
- Sign the incorporation deed before the Spanish notary
- Register the company with the Commercial Registry
- Obtain tax registrations and company identification numbers
- Complete incorporation-related formalities with Spanish authorities
NIE for Foreign Shareholders and Directors
Every foreign shareholder or director of a Spanish company must obtain a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero).
The NIE is the personal tax identification number required to appear in the incorporation deed, act as a director and carry out most legal and tax formalities in Spain. It can be obtained through a Spanish Consulate abroad or through a representative acting under a valid Power of Attorney.
Although the procedure itself is relatively straightforward, processing times vary significantly between jurisdictions. For this reason, we usually recommend starting the NIE application alongside the incorporation planning rather than treating it as a separate step.
Spanish NIF Requirement for Foreign Companies Shareholders
While individual shareholders typically only require a NIE, foreign corporate shareholders must obtain a separate Spanish NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) before the incorporation can be completed.
This situation is common when a Spanish subsidiary is owned by a UK Ltd, a US LLC, a German GmbH or another foreign corporate entity. The NIF application is entirely separate from the personal NIE and requires corporate documentation from the shareholder’s home jurisdiction.
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of international company formation and one of the most common sources of delay. At Lawants, obtaining the NIF for foreign companies is a routine part of our international incorporation work. Proper planning at this stage often makes the difference between a process measured in days rather than months.
Registered Address in Spain
Every Spanish company must have a registered address in Spain for corporate, tax and administrative purposes.
For foreign founders, this requirement is often perceived as a major obstacle when no office, warehouse or commercial premises has yet been secured. In practice, incorporating a company and selecting a long-term operational location are often two separate decisions. The company can be incorporated first and the business structure refined afterwards.
At Lawants, we can provide a registered address for incorporation purposes, allowing foreign founders to establish their Spanish company remotely without delaying the project while searching for office space.
Supporting Documents and Information
The exact documentation depends on the nationality of the founders and the proposed corporate structure.
In most cases, the incorporation package includes identification documents, foreign corporate documentation, company name proposals and information regarding the planned business activity.
The challenge is rarely the quantity of documents required. The challenge is ensuring that the documentation is presented in the correct format and that unnecessary certifications, translations or legalisations are avoided from the outset.
We regularly assist clients who arrive after being asked to obtain additional apostilles, unnecessary sworn translations or duplicate corporate records that add time and cost without improving the incorporation process.
The problem is rarely Spanish bureaucracy. It is usually unnecessary bureaucracy.
Many foreign founders arrive convinced that Spain is slow and complicated. In reality, most delays come from incorrectly prepared Powers of Attorney, unnecessary apostilles, avoidable sworn translations or NIF applications submitted with incomplete documentation.
At Lawants, we work exclusively with foreign entrepreneurs, investors and international companies. Our role is not simply to file documents, but to identify what is actually required and eliminate what is not.
Spanish company incorporations are typically completed within 7–10 working days from receipt of complete documentation.
Managing Director, Lawants
Initial assessment within 24 business hours
How Remote Company Incorporation Works in Spain: Step by Step Process
Once the required documentation is in place, incorporating a company in Spain remotely is generally a structured and predictable process. The steps below follow a specific sequence, and the sequence matters.
Step 1. Define the Right Corporate Structure
The first decision is not how to incorporate a company. It is what should be incorporated.
While most foreign founders choose a Spanish S.L., subsidiaries, branches and other structures may be more appropriate depending on the project, ownership structure and long-term objectives.
Define shareholders and ownership percentages
Appoint directors and management bodies
Choose the most suitable corporate structure
Assess tax and operational implications
At Lawants, this is often the most valuable part of the entire process. Incorporation is relatively straightforward. Choosing the wrong structure can create tax, governance and operational consequences for years.
Step 2. Apply for the NIE and Spanish NIF for Foreign Shareholders
This is often the most time-sensitive phase. Every individual shareholder and director needs a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) — the Spanish tax identification number for foreigners. Without it, the incorporation deed cannot be signed. If the shareholder is a foreign company — a US LLC, a UK Ltd, an Italian S.r.l. — that entity must also obtain its own Spanish NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal), which is an entirely separate procedure requiring corporate documentation from the home jurisdiction.
Apply for the NIE of individual shareholders and directors
Apply for the Spanish NIF of any foreign corporate shareholder
Coordinate both procedures in parallel to avoid sequential delays
Step 3. Draft and Execute the Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial) for Spain
While NIE and NIF applications are in progress, the Power of Attorney is prepared and executed. This is the document that allows a representative in Spain to act on the founder’s behalf throughout the incorporation — signing the deed, filing with the registry and completing all related registrations. It must be signed before a local notary, and apostille or translation requirements are assessed individually for each jurisdiction.
Draft the Power of Attorney in English and Spanish
Sign before a local notary in the founder’s country
Assess apostille and translation requirements case by case
Steps 2 and 3 run in parallel. Proper coordination at this stage often determines whether the incorporation takes days or months.
Step 4. Reserve the Company Name and Prepare the Incorporation Package
Once the identification requirements have been addressed, the incorporation package can be prepared. This includes reserving the company name with the Central Registro Mercantil, drafting the articles of association, defining governance rules and confirming the company’s registered address.
Reserve the company name (up to three options submitted)
Prepare the articles of association
Define governance and ownership rules
Confirm the registered office
Step 5. Sign the Deed of Incorporation Before a Spanish Notary
Once the documentation is ready, the incorporation deed is executed before a Spanish notary. For remote incorporations, the founder does not normally attend the signing in person. Instead, the representative appointed through the Power of Attorney appears before the notary and signs on the founder’s behalf.
Execute the incorporation deed
Verify documentation before the notary
Formally incorporate the company
Receive the public deed of incorporation
Step 6. File with the Spanish Commercial Registry (Registro Mercantil)
Following the notarial signing, the incorporation deed is filed with the Commercial Registry (Registro Mercantil). This registration grants the company full legal personality and formally completes the incorporation process.
File the incorporation deed with the Commercial Registry
Complete the company registration process
Obtain full legal personality for the company
Step 7. Tax Activation: NIF, VAT Registration and VIES
Once the company has been registered, it must be activated before the Spanish Tax Agency so that it can begin operating legally.
Obtain the company’s permanent NIF
File Modelo 036 with the Tax Agency
Register for VAT and VIES where required
Obtain the company’s digital certificate
Step 8. Banking Activation and Launch of Operations
The final stage is transforming the newly incorporated company into an operating business.
Activate corporate banking facilities
Set up accounting and tax compliance
Issue invoices and sign contracts
Hire employees and register payroll where required
Begin operating in Spain and across the EU
Interestingly, banking is often more unpredictable than the incorporation itself. Different institutions apply different onboarding policies for international founders and foreign-owned businesses: for this reason, banking options are normally assessed during the incorporation process, even if the account becomes operational only after registration and tax activation.
Setting Up a Company in Spain Remotely Is Easier Than Most Founders Expect
Understanding the incorporation process is useful. Managing every document, tax registration, banking requirement and legal formality yourself is usually not the best use of a founder’s time.
For more than 20 years, Lawants has assisted foreign entrepreneurs, investors and international companies entering the Spanish market, coordinating company formations, powers of attorney, foreign shareholder registrations and tax activation procedures entirely remotely.
You focus on the business. We coordinate the Spanish side.
Managing Director, Lawants
Reply within 24 business hours
Do You Need to Travel to Spain at Any Stage?
In most cases, no. Foreign founders can incorporate a Spanish company, obtain the necessary tax registrations and complete the notarial process without travelling to Spain.
A Spanish company can generally be incorporated remotely through a Power of Attorney, allowing founders to complete the process from their own country.
Spanish notaries, Commercial Registries and tax authorities routinely process company formations for founders located abroad. What makes the process work smoothly is not physical presence, but proper preparation from the outset and a properly drafted Power of Attorney.
There is one scenario where a trip to Spain may be necessary: banking. Some Spanish banks still require an in-person meeting to open a corporate account, particularly for non-EU founders. Lawants works with banking partners that accommodate remote onboarding in most cases, but this remains the most variable step in the process and should be planned for accordingly.
Can You Set Up a Company in Spain Entirely Online?
The short answer is not exactly.
Spain offers an online incorporation route through the government-managed CIRCE system. While part of the procedure can be completed digitally, it is primarily designed for domestic entrepreneurs and usually requires personal involvement at key stages of the process.
For foreign founders, the more practical solution is generally remote incorporation through a Power of Attorney. Rather than completing the process online yourself, a legal representative in Spain handles the incorporation on your behalf.
Online incorporation vs remote incorporation through a Power of Attorney
| Online Incorporation | Remote Incorporation (PoA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who acts | Founder completes parts of the process personally | Representative acts through a Power of Attorney |
| Designed for | Primarily domestic founders | Foreign founders and international investors |
| International structures | Limited flexibility | Suitable for foreign shareholders and cross-border projects |
| Focus | Digital self-execution | Legal delegation and professional coordination |
How Long Does It Take to Set Up a Company in Spain Remotely?
When the documentation is complete and properly prepared from the outset, a Spanish company can usually be incorporated within a matter of days rather than months.
At Lawants, the incorporation of a Spanish S.L. is typically completed within 7 to 10 working days from receipt of the complete documentation and execution of the Power of Attorney.
In our experience, the longest delays rarely come from Spanish authorities. They usually arise when documents are prepared incorrectly, unnecessary legalisations are requested or foreign shareholder registrations are not handled properly from the outset.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in Spain Remotely?
There is no single fixed cost for incorporating a company in Spain remotely. The overall budget depends on factors such as the corporate structure, the nationality of the founders, whether a foreign company is involved as a shareholder and the level of support required.
Main Cost Categories for Foreign Founders
| Cost Category | What It Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Share Capital | Initial company capital | Remains available to the company after incorporation |
| Notary and Registry Fees | Incorporation deed and Commercial Registry registration | Official third-party costs |
| NIE and NIF Procedures | Identification numbers for founders and foreign shareholders | Only where applicable |
| Professional Fees | Legal, tax and incorporation support | Varies depending on structure and complexity |
| Digital Certificate | Online interaction with Spanish authorities | Frequently required after incorporation |
| Optional Services | Registered address, domiciliation, accounting and compliance | Often added by founders managing the company from abroad |
Lawants’ approach to fees: all professional engagements are priced on a fixed-fee basis, determined after a preliminary assessment of the project scope, structure complexity, shareholder profile and urgency. Predictable costs from the outset.
Many founders believe that the minimum €3,000 share capital must be deposited into a Spanish bank account and evidenced with a bank certificate before incorporation.
In practice, Spanish law allows the shareholders’ declaration of contribution to be included directly in the incorporation deed, meaning that a bank certificate is not always required at the notarial stage.
Common Mistakes That Delay Remote Company Formation in Spain
Remote incorporation in Spain is generally straightforward. The problems usually arise from the preparation phase, not from the process itself. These are the mistakes that most frequently cause delays — many of them avoidable with proper planning from the outset.
- Power of Attorney drafted incorrectly: a PoA that is too broad, too vague or missing specific authorisations will be rejected at the notary stage. By that point, the founder needs to re-draft and re-sign from their home country, adding weeks to the process. The document must be specifically scoped to cover incorporation of a Spanish S.L., signing of the articles of association and all related registrations.
- Unnecessary apostilles and legalisations requested: not every Power of Attorney for Spain requires an apostille under the Hague Convention. For documents from EU member states, it is often not required at all. Requesting one indiscriminately adds two to four weeks and unnecessary cost before the process has even started.
- Sworn translations commissioned unnecessarily: certified Spanish translations are required in specific circumstances, not as a default. Lawants prepares all Powers of Attorney bilingually as standard, which eliminates the translation requirement for that document entirely.
- Foreign shareholder NIF not initiated in time: when the shareholder of the new Spanish company is a US LLC, a UK Ltd, an Italian S.r.l. or any other foreign entity, that entity must obtain its own Spanish NIF before the deed can be signed. This procedure requires corporate documentation from the home jurisdiction and takes time — it must be started at the very beginning of the process, not discovered mid-way.
- Incomplete documentation submitted to the Tax Agency: tax registration requires specific filings. Incomplete or incorrect submissions lead to multiple rounds of corrections with the Agencia Tributaria, delaying the permanent NIF and VAT activation.
- Banking left to last: corporate bank account opening is the most variable step in the process. Some Spanish banks require in-person onboarding for non-EU founders. Starting banking discussions after the company is already incorporated can leave a registered company unable to operate for weeks.
- Ignoring permanent establishment risk before incorporating: foreign companies that operate in Spain through agents, employees or representatives — without a formal corporate structure — may already be creating a taxable presence (permanent establishment) under Spanish law and applicable tax treaties. This risk should be assessed before the company is incorporated, not after. Incorporating the right structure proactively eliminates the uncertainty.
Most delays are not caused by Spanish bureaucracy. They are caused by avoidable documentation errors, unnecessary formalities and poor sequencing. At Lawants, we regularly assist clients who arrive after months of delays caused by exactly these issues: incorrectly prepared powers of attorney, apostilles that were never required, or NIF applications that should have been started at the beginning.
What Happens After Your Spanish Company Is Incorporated?
Incorporation is only the first step. Once the company exists, a series of ongoing tax, accounting and administrative obligations begin. For founders managing the business from abroad, these obligations are often more important than the incorporation itself.
Digital Certificate and Online Administration
Spanish companies interact with most public authorities electronically through a digital certificate (certificado digital). This certificate is used to file tax returns, receive official notifications and manage administrative procedures online. It is one of the key tools that allows a company to be managed remotely.
Tax, VAT and VIES Registration
After incorporation, the company must complete its tax activation and, where applicable, register for VAT (IVA) and intra-community transactions (VIES). VIES registration is particularly important for companies providing services or selling goods across the European Union — without it, intra-community invoices cannot be issued correctly.
Accounting and Corporate Compliance
All Spanish companies must comply with ongoing accounting and tax obligations regardless of where the shareholders or directors are located. These typically include quarterly VAT filings (Modelo 303), corporate tax payments on account (Modelo 202), the annual corporate tax return (Modelo 200), and annual accounts filed with the Registro Mercantil.
Payroll and Employment Matters
If the company hires employees in Spain, payroll and Social Security obligations apply. Setting up these processes correctly from the outset helps avoid compliance issues as the business grows. For international founders, these employment registrations and payroll formalities can typically be coordinated remotely through local professional support, without requiring travel to Spain.
Licences and Sector-Specific Requirements
Incorporating a company is only one part of the process. Depending on the business activity, additional licences, registrations or regulatory approvals may be required before operations can begin legally in Spain. While many professional services and online businesses can start operating immediately after incorporation, regulated sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, transport or certain retail activities may be subject to additional requirements.
Can You Manage a Spanish Company from Abroad?
Yes. A Spanish company does not require a resident shareholder or resident director. Many foreign founders manage their Spanish companies entirely from abroad while outsourcing accounting, tax compliance and payroll administration to local advisors.
At Lawants, remote company formation is usually the beginning of a longer relationship, supporting clients with ongoing legal, tax, accounting and payroll obligations as their Spanish operations grow.
Why International Founders Choose to Incorporate a Company in Spain from Abroad
For many international founders, the objective is not simply to open a company in Spain. The real goal is to establish a reliable presence within the European Union without immediately relocating, opening an office or building a local team.
In this context, Spain is often one of the most practical jurisdictions for foreign entrepreneurs. A Spanish company can be incorporated remotely and managed from abroad while providing access to the wider European market.
Key advantages include:
- No residency requirement: non-residents can own and manage a Spanish company.
- Remote incorporation: a company can be formed without travelling to Spain through a properly drafted Power of Attorney.
- Access to the EU market: a Spanish company can trade, invoice and contract across the European Union.
- Strategic international position: Spain offers strong commercial links with Europe, Latin America and North America.
- Established professional ecosystem: foreign founders can rely on experienced legal, tax and compliance support.
How Lawants Handles Remote Company Formation in Spain
Foreign founders usually do not need another generic company formation provider. They need a team that understands how Spanish incorporation works when shareholders, directors, banks, documents and advisors are located across different jurisdictions.
Lawants works exclusively with foreign entrepreneurs, investors and international companies entering Spain. This allows us to anticipate the points where remote incorporations typically slow down: powers of attorney, unnecessary certifications, foreign shareholder NIF applications, banking requirements and post-incorporation tax activation.
Our support does not end when the company is incorporated. We continue assisting clients with legal, tax, accounting, payroll and compliance matters, so the Spanish company can operate properly after formation.
- Company formation handled remotely, from documentation to notarial signing and registration.
- Foreign shareholder NIF and Power of Attorney coordination, two of the most common bottlenecks in cross-border incorporations.
- Ongoing support after incorporation, including accounting, tax filings, payroll, VAT, VIES and corporate compliance.
Initial enquiries are reviewed personally by Roberto Bosco, Managing Director of Lawants, to assess the project, documentation requirements and most efficient route before the process begins.
Set up your Spanish company remotely, then keep it compliant as it starts operating.
Lawants assists foreign founders and international companies from the first assessment to incorporation, tax activation and ongoing legal, accounting and payroll support. We do not disappear once the company is registered: we remain the local team that helps your Spanish presence operate properly over time.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions on Setting Up a Company in Spain Remotely
The most common questions Lawants receives from foreign founders and international businesses exploring company formation in Spain without travelling.
Can I set up a company in Spain without visiting the country?
Yes. In most cases, a Spanish company can be incorporated remotely through a valid Power of Attorney. This allows a representative in Spain to sign the deed of incorporation, complete registry filings and handle initial tax registrations on behalf of the founders. The main practical exception may be banking, as some banks still require in-person onboarding in specific cases.
Can a non-resident be the director of a Spanish company?
Yes. A Spanish company does not generally require a resident director. A foreign founder can act as director from abroad, provided that the necessary identification and tax formalities are completed. However, remuneration, level of involvement and Social Security implications should be assessed before deciding the management structure.
Can a foreign company own 100% of a Spanish company?
Yes. A foreign company can own 100% of a Spanish subsidiary. In this case, the foreign corporate shareholder normally needs to obtain a Spanish NIF before the incorporation can be completed. This is a separate procedure from the personal NIE required for individual shareholders and directors.
How long does remote company registration in Spain take?
At Lawants, Spanish S.L. incorporations are typically completed within 7 to 10 working days from receipt of complete documentation and execution of the Power of Attorney. The total timeline may vary if NIE applications, foreign shareholder NIF procedures or banking requirements take longer than expected.
Do I need a Spanish address to incorporate a company in Spain?
Yes. Every Spanish company must have a registered address in Spain for corporate, tax and administrative purposes. Foreign founders who do not yet have an office or commercial premises can usually use a professional registered address or domiciliation service.
Can I run a Spanish company from abroad?
Yes. Many foreign founders manage Spanish companies from abroad. The company will still need a digital certificate, a registered address in Spain and ongoing accounting, tax and corporate compliance support to interact correctly with Spanish authorities.
What taxes does a Spanish company pay after incorporation?
A Spanish company is generally subject to Corporate Income Tax, VAT where applicable, withholding obligations in certain cases and ongoing accounting and filing requirements. The exact tax position depends on the activity, shareholders, directors, cross-border transactions and whether the company hires employees in Spain.
Do I need a Spanish partner to open a company in Spain?
No. Foreign individuals and foreign companies can generally incorporate and own a Spanish company without a Spanish partner. The company may be fully foreign-owned, provided that the required identification, tax and corporate formalities are correctly completed.
