How much does it cost to set up an SL in Spain?

Via CIRCE (electronic incorporation), the company can be registered at the Companies Registry within 48-72 hours. This is the route we use at Notaría Online.

Via the ordinary route (without CIRCE), the process takes 2 to 4 weeks because you must wait for the Companies Registry qualification, which can take 15 business days.

In both cases, before the deed you must obtain the negative company name certificate (1-3 days) and open the bank account to deposit the capital (1 day).

The minimum share capital is €3,000. It can be contributed in cash (most common) or in economically valuable assets (non-cash contributions, which require a valuation report).

Since the reform of the Capital Companies Act (Law 18/2022), it is possible to set up an SL with just €1 capital under the successive formation regime. In this case, there are restrictions on dividend distribution and director remuneration until the capital reaches €3,000.

It depends on your turnover and the risk of your activity:

• Self-employed is simpler and cheaper to maintain. No deed, no Companies Registry, no annual accounts. But you are liable with all your personal assets if something goes wrong.
• SL limits your liability to the contributed capital (minimum €3,000). If the company has debts, your home, car and personal savings are protected (except in cases of negligent management).

Tax-wise: self-employed pay income tax (up to 47% in the highest brackets). The SL pays Corporation Tax at 25% (15% for the first two years for new companies). If you invoice more than €40,000-50,000/year, the SL is usually more tax-efficient.

CIRCE (Centro de Información y Red de Creación de Empresas) is a system from the Ministry of Industry that allows electronic company incorporation. Instead of handling each step separately, everything is managed through a single electronic document (DUE) that communicates simultaneously with the notary, Companies Registry, Tax Agency and Social Security.

The advantage: it reduces timelines from weeks to days (48-72 hours in the best case). Only authorised Entrepreneur Service Points (PAE) can process through CIRCE. Notaría Online is a certified PAE.

Yes. You do not need to be a resident in Spain or have Spanish nationality. You only need an NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) and the standard incorporation documents.

If you cannot travel to Spain, you can grant a power of attorney to a representative to sign the deed of incorporation on your behalf. If the power is signed outside Spain, it needs a Hague Apostille.

At Notaría Online we handle the NIE, the power of attorney and the full incorporation for international clients.

Newly created SLs pay 15% Corporation Tax during their first two financial years with a positive tax base (i.e. the first two years they generate profit). From the third year, the general rate is 25%.

Additionally, SLs must file annual accounts at the Companies Registry, quarterly VAT returns (form 303), withholding returns (form 111), and the annual Corporation Tax return (form 200).