Setting up a business in Spain is simple. The types of business entities available are in keeping with those existing in other OECD countries and there is also a wide range of possibilities capable of meeting the needs of the different types of investor who wish to invest in or from Spain. It is also worth noting that foreign investment restrictions and exchange controls have been virtually eliminated in line with the EU legislation on deregulation in this area.

This chapter describes the basic requirements of the different business structures for investing in Spain, as well as the key formalities that a foreign investor must fulfill in order to set up or start up each of them.

This chapter includes the following topics:

• Options for setting up a business
• Types of Corporate Entity
• Corporation (S.A.)
• European Company (S.E.)
• Limited Liability Company (S.L.)
• New Business Limited Company (S.L.N.E.)
• Professional Company (S.P.)
• Branch
• Representative Office
• Start-Up Costs
• Intellectual Property

Prepared by Garrigues

Last updated: 29|09|2009