Tyche in Spain
We already have an established network of contacts in Spain for creating and directing temporary companies, as well as for external CFO support.
The path to creating a SL in Spain, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 3 to 5 weeks for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: €1 (legal minimum since 2022; €3,000 remains the recommended standard practice).
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Name reservation and bank account
Company name certificate obtained, then a bank account is opened in the name of the company being formed to deposit the share capital.
Capital deposit certificate
The bank issues a certificate confirming the capital deposit, a document required by the notary.
Mandatory notarial deed
Signing the incorporation deed before a notary (escritura pública) — a compulsory step for every SL, required for registration.
Commercial Registry filing
The deed must be filed with the Registry within 2 months of signing; the account becomes fully operational once the company is registered.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 21% | |
| Reduced rates | 10% | catering, hospitality, passenger transport, new housing |
| Reduced rates | 4% | bread, milk, medicines, essential goods |
Corporate tax
25% generally; 23% for SMEs (€1–10M turnover); progressive 19%/21% scale for micro-businesses (under €1M turnover).
Is a visa required?
No for an EU/EEA director. A non-EU national must obtain a NIE and, to relocate to Spain and run the business on-site, an entrepreneur or investor visa suited to the project.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in Spain required?
Foreign shareholders need a NIE (foreigner ID number), which may require a consular step; notarial signature can sometimes be arranged via power of attorney.
Observed timeframe to open the account
1 to 3 weeks: the bank issues the capital-deposit certificate before the notarial signing, then finalises account activation after registration; a NIE is required for each foreign shareholder, which can extend the timeline if not obtained in advance.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: €1 (legal minimum since 2022; €3,000 remains the recommended standard practice).
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease (arrendamiento de local de negocio), and a declaración responsable or activity licence with the town hall depending on the type of shop.
On-site sales & till
A simplified invoice (receipt) is allowed up to €400 incl. VAT (€3,000 for certain activities); the Verifactu certified-invoicing system is being rolled out.
Cash register suppliers
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- Viva.com
- myPOS
- Shopify POS
Payment providers for small businesses
- Stripe
- Viva.com
- Adyen
- PayPal Business
- Redsys (acquéreur bancaire local)
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers Spain.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Agencia Tributaria — Aduanas.
On-site consumer rules
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in Spain — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.