Doing Business in Spain: comprehensive advisory services for foreign companies
Your local partner for setting up and operating in Spain
At LEIALTA, we provide comprehensive advisory services to foreign companies and international groups looking to start, establish or manage their business operations in Spain, with support tailored to their business model and level of presence in the country.
We support companies from their first steps, including obtaining a Spanish Tax Identification Number (NIF), legal and tax representation, and setting up companies, subsidiaries and branches, through to the ongoing management of their corporate, legal, tax, accounting, employment and administrative obligations.
Not every foreign company needs to incorporate a Spanish company to do business in Spain. We assess each situation to determine the appropriate procedures, business structure and level of support, providing a single local point of contact and coordinated advice across all areas.
What a foreign company need to do business in Spain?
The requirements for starting business operations in Spain vary depending on the company’s country of origin, the type of transactions involved and the level of presence it needs to maintain in Spain.
At LEIALTA, we assess each situation and coordinate the services required so that foreign companies and international groups can start doing business in Spain, meet their local obligations and have access to local support from day one.
Tax Identification Number (NIF) and VAT Number (NIF-IVA)
We manage the tax registration of foreign companies that need to carry out business transactions in Spain.
We review the applicable requirements, handle the application for a Spanish Tax Identification Number (NIF) and, where required, registration with the Register of Intra-Community Operators to obtain a Spanish VAT Number (NIF-IVA).
Legal and tax representation in Spain
We act as representatives for foreign companies that need to meet legal, tax or administrative obligations in Spain.
We liaise with the Spanish Tax Agency and other public authorities, including procedures and registrations before the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) and the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), where required by the company’s activity.
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Company formation in Spain: subsidiaries and branches
We advise foreign companies and international groups on the most suitable legal structure for establishing a business in Spain.
We coordinate the formation of Spanish companies, subsidiaries and branches, together with the corporate, tax and administrative procedures required to start operating.
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Ongoing business advisory services for foreign companies
We provide ongoing legal, corporate, accounting, tax, employment and administrative advice to manage a company’s obligations in Spain.
We act as the company’s local advisory team, coordinating directly with its international headquarters and adapting our support as the business develops.
+ informationWhat should a foreign company consider before doing business in Spain?
Starting business operations in Spain involves legal, tax and administrative decisions that may vary depending on the company’s country of origin, business activity and intended level of presence in the Spanish market.
At LEIALTA, we assess each company’s requirements to identify its obligations, anticipate potential risks and coordinate the necessary procedures, providing comprehensive support from the earliest stages of entering the Spanish market.
Legal structure and local representation
We assess whether the company can operate without incorporating a Spanish entity, needs to appoint a legal or tax representative, or should establish a subsidiary or branch in Spain, depending on its activity and objectives.
Taxation and tax obligations
We identify the applicable tax requirements, from obtaining a Spanish NIF and meeting VAT requirements to assessing the potential tax implications of the company’s activities, including whether they could give rise to a permanent establishment in Spain.
Employment and labour obligations
We advise on employment and Social Security requirements when a company needs to hire employees in Spain, second international staff or manage employment relationships in the country.
Administrative procedures and regulatory compliance
We review registration requirements, authorisations, notifications and other administrative procedures that may be necessary to start or develop the company’s activity, depending on its sector and circumstances.
Not every company requires the same services or the same level of presence in Spain. Our team coordinates the relevant areas through a single local point of contact, providing advice in both English and Spanish and adapting our support to each project.
International experience, local expertise
At LEIALTA, we have advised more than 1,000 companies throughout our history, including international companies and corporate groups from over 100 countries that have trusted our team to start, develop or manage their business operations in Spain.
Our direct experience with companies from different international markets enables us to understand the needs of organisations with different structures, business models and levels of presence. We work with companies from China and other markets across Asia, Europe and the Americas, adapting our advice to their specific circumstances and to the requirements of the Spanish business environment.
We combine this international experience with a multidisciplinary team specialising in legal, corporate, tax, accounting, employment and administrative matters, providing a local point of contact that facilitates coordination with international headquarters and management teams.
An international network that extends our capabilities
In addition to our direct experience, LEIALTA is a member of IR Global, an international network of independent professionals with a presence across 165 jurisdictions.
This enables us to work with trusted professionals in other markets whenever a project requires cross-border coordination, combining our knowledge of the Spanish business environment with an international network of support.
Our international experience in figures
+1.000
Companies advised
+100
Countries of origin represented among our international clients
165
Jurisdictions covered by IR Global
We adapt the scope of our services to each organisation’s structure, needs and stage of development, both when entering the Spanish market and as its business operations in Spain evolve.
How we support international companies
Single point of contact
We coordinate different advisory areas through one local team of reference.
International coordination
We work with international headquarters and professionals in other countries to facilitate local management in Spain.
Multidisciplinary expertise
We combine legal, corporate, tax, accounting and employment expertise.
Bilingual support
We provide professional communication and advisory services in both English and Spanish.
Our experience in practice: Global Voice Group case study
Throughout our history, we have supported international companies with different structures, activities and requirements when establishing and operating in Spain. Each project requires a tailored approach, from identifying initial obligations to coordinating the services needed to develop the company’s activities.
Global Voice Group is one example of how we help foreign companies manage their business operations in the Spanish market.
This international consultancy, specialising in data analytics for governments, central banks and other institutions, needed to adapt its operations to Spain’s tax and accounting framework to conduct business in the country.
LEIALTA supported the company in identifying its obligations, analysing its corporate structure and defining a work plan tailored to its requirements.
Read the full case study →
Is your company planning to do business in Spain?
Every international project requires a different approach. Tell us about the business activity you want to develop, and we will help you identify the procedures, business structure and support required to start operating in Spain.
Request advisory support →Frequently asked questions about doing business in Spain
Yes. In certain circumstances, a foreign company can carry out business activities in Spain without incorporating a local company. Whether it needs to establish a subsidiary, branch or another type of structure will depend on its activities, presence in Spain and the applicable legal and tax obligations.
The requirements depend on the company’s country of origin, business activity and chosen operating structure. They may include obtaining a Spanish Tax Identification Number (NIF), appointing a legal or tax representative, completing specific administrative registrations or incorporating a company in Spain. These requirements should be identified before business operations begin.
Yes. A foreign entity may need a Spanish Tax Identification Number (NIF) to meet certain tax obligations without incorporating a local company. If it carries out qualifying intra-Community transactions, it may also need a Spanish VAT Number (NIF-IVA).
Not in every case. The requirement depends, among other factors, on the entity’s tax residence, the transactions it carries out and the applicable legislation. LEIALTA assesses each situation and provides tax representation services whenever representation is required or advisable.
- A subsidiary is a company with its own separate legal personality and is owned by a foreign parent company.
- A branch forms part of the foreign parent company and does not have a separate legal personality.
Both can be used to conduct business in Spain, but they have different legal, organisational and tax implications.
Yes. LEIALTA can act as an external local advisory team and coordinate the procedures required to launch the business, representation services and ongoing obligations associated with operating in Spain. The scope of our services is tailored to each company and can expand as its presence in Spain develops.
Yes. LEIALTA provides professional advisory services in both English and Spanish, facilitating coordination with international headquarters, management teams and decision-makers based outside Spain.
More insights on doing business in Spain
Your local advisory team in Spain, with every area coordinated
At LEIALTA, we provide foreign companies and international groups with legal, corporate, accounting, tax and employment advisory services tailored to their specific needs.
One local partner, specialist professionals and a certified working methodology to manage your company’s obligations in Spain and facilitate coordination with your international headquarters.
