How to Register a Company in Spain: Options and Timeline

Foreign founders often ask how to register a company in Spain. The short answer is that you choose a legal structure, register it with the official registry, and then complete your tax registration and any licences your activity needs. Below are the registration routes ORBIZLY lists for Spain, with their typical timeline.

How do you register a company in Spain?

Sociedad Limitada (SL) Registration. Typical time: About 24 to 72 hours for a standard company through CIRCE. Where this comes from: Adviser guides, because the office does not publish an official figure. Custom statutes take longer. Official page: https://www.circe.es/

Asociación / Fundación (Non-Profit) Registration. Typical time: Varies. Confirm with the registry. Official page: https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/

Pick the route that matches what you plan to do. If you are unsure which structure suits a business that will hire staff, sell abroad or take investment, ask an expert before you file.

What do you need after the company is registered?

A registered company usually still has to complete tax registration and, in some industries, extra permits. In Spain these are handled by the following bodies.

Tax and goods and services registration: the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria, tax ID and VAT). Official source: agenciatributaria.es

Sector-specific permits: the sector regulator and your municipality. Official source: administracion.gob.es

Importing goods: the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria). Official source: agenciatributaria.es

Exporting controlled goods: the Secretariat of State for Trade and Spanish customs. Official source: comercio.gob.es

Should you protect your brand when you register?

Registering a company does not protect your brand name. A trademark does. Filing early stops someone else from taking your name in Spain.

Trademark Filing (OEPM). Typical time: About 6 to 10 months if uncontested. Where this comes from: Adviser guides, because the office does not publish an official figure. Official page: https://www.oepm.es/

What is the next step?

Take the free ORBIZLY eligibility assessment to see which countries and programs fit your business, or book a consulting session to talk through company registration in Spain with an expert.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Timelines change and depend on your business. Ask for a quote for your case. Confirm the details with the official source linked above or with an expert before you apply.