How to Open a Business in Spain
Opening a business in any country can be difficult, especially if you do not speak the language. The process of opening a business will change depending on the country, and Spain has its own legal process. Opening a business in Spain requires the approval of many governmental agencies, and a promise that you will hire Spanish citizens.
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Instructions
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Obtain a Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero (NIE Number). The NIE number is the foreigner's tax identification number, and it is needed from anyone who is not a Spanish citizen. Fill out and sign the NIE Para Residentes en el Extranjero (form EX14) form at a police station that has an Oficina de Extranjeros (a Foreigners department). The EX14 form, the application needed to obtain the NIE number, needs to be submitted along with your original passport, a copy of your passport, and two passport pictures to the foreigners department.
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Pick a company name and obtain a certificacion negative de la denominacion social (certification of uniqueness of the corporate name) from the Central Mercantile Registry. Find the Central Mercantile Registry nearest you, either in person or online, and ask that they recognize your company name and issue you the certificate. Your business name will be valid for three months, and you must start your company before then.
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Deposit business capital into a bank account recently opened for your new business. Keep the deposit receipt.
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Acquire a public deed of incorporation from a notary public. The public deed must include: the company shareholders, proof that they are incorporating the company by their own will, the number of shares held by each shareholder, the bylaws of the business, the type of administration that will manage the company, and the identity of the managers and directors.
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Submit the Declaracion Censal de Inicio de Actividad (Statement of Commencement) to the Delegacion Provincial de la Agencia Estatal de la Administracion Tributaria. Obtain a Codigo de Identification Fiscal (CIF -- Tax Identification Code) after submitting your statement of commencement from the same agency. Your CIF will be needed for tax purposes.
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Pay the Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales y Actos Juridicos Documentados (Asset Transfer Tax and Legal Documented Act Tax) to any local tax authority. The total amount in tax can equal one percent of the business initial capital.
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Submit the public deed of incorporation of the business to the Mercantile Registry to register the company. The business name will then be published in the Official Journal of the Mercantile Registry, and it will become a legalized business.
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Decide the location of the business and obtain a municipal license to open the business. A license is needed to open the business premises. The municipal license can be obtained from the Departamento de Urbanismo del Ayutamiento (Town Council) where you are going to open your business.
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Register all your employees with the Tesoreria General de la Segurifad Social (Social Security). Submit a copy of the public deed of incorporation, a copy every employee's identity document proving that they are allowed to work in Spain, and the tax identification number of the business. Once submitted, you can start operating your business.
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