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Move overseas by setting up Subsidiary in Spain

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🇪🇸 Benefits opening subsidiary in Spain

Take the first step towards realizing your entrepreneurial dreams by incorporating a company in Spain and turning your business idea into a thriving reality!

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Would you like to extend your business to Spain ?

So your business is growing and you want to open a subsidiary in Spain? That’s great news — we are happy for you, and even more happy to show you the lay of the land when it comes to setting up a subsidiary in Spain. Spain is a top choice destination to do business, the well connected geographic positioning makes it an international hub for business and trade, paired with a powerful economy, solid infrastructure and networks, it’s an advantageous location.

There are plenty of necessary steps and considerations when it comes to opening a subsidiary in Spain. This page will define what a subsidiary is, explain how to go about starting subsidiary in Spain, highlight current Spanish tax benefits for a newly established subsidiary, and help you determine whether opening a subsidiary is the best move to make for your business.

A subsidiary is a company which is linked to an existing company; thus creating a group of companies. A subsidiary is established under the umbrella of a parent company or holding company (these differ slightly), foreign or domestic. The parent company often contributes with the share capital and management of the subsidiary. However, It is important to understand that while a subsidiary is created under an existing company, the subsidiary is its own separate legal entity and treated as such when it comes to laws, regulations and taxes.

In Spain, a subsidiary can be set up either as a Limited Liability Company, or a Joint Stock Company. Determining which type to incorporate your subsidiary depends on the size of the company and the amount of money the parent company plans to invest in the subsidiary. 

Limited Liability Company (LLC): This option enjoys more organizational flexibility and lower capital requirements. 

  • 1 – 3,000 EUR to start (thanks to the new law Ley Crea Y Crece 2022) 
  • Shares cannot be publicly traded
  • Shares can only be transferred between holders and their immediate family members
  • Directors are appointed for an infinite amount of time
  • A minimum of 3 members on the board of directors and a maximum of 12

Joint Stock Company (PLC):

  • 25% of share capital, minimum of 15,000 EUR to start
  • Company representatives may trade shares
  • Founders have the legal right to transfer shares
  • Directors are elected for a maximum period of 6 years
  • A minimum of 3 members on the board of directors; no maximum

Regardless of whether you open an LLC or a PLC, legally a subsidiary is no different than a local Spanish company and must adhere to the same rules stipulated by the Spanish Commercial Law. The entire process of forming a subsidiary in Spain takes approximately 4-8 weeks to complete. However, new laws are expected to reduce the total set-up time. Such new laws and EU directives will allow an LLC to be registered fully online within certain time limits.

Step By Step Porcess Opening Subsidiary in Spain

Opening a bank account is an essential step to start a subsidiary. In the case of a limited liability company, investors must deposit a minimum of 1 EUR (thanks to the new law Ley Crea Y Crece into effect on October 19, 2022). Whereas, a joint stock company must deposit 25% of the share capital, no less than 15,000 EUR.

Here is a summary of the procedures to open a subsidiary in Spain (subject to change with new reforms):

  • The decision from the parent company expressing intentions to open a subsidiary and an attestation to the validity of the parent company; legally translated into Spanish
  • Check and reserve the proposed subsidiary’s name at the Central Mercantile Register
  • Apply for a Tax Identification Number from the National Tax Authority
  • Open a bank account 
    • Deposit required amount depending on which type of subsidiary you wish to open
    • Obtain a bank issued certificate declaring the disbursement
  • Prepare Articles of Association of the subsidiary
  • Administer an anti-money laundering and and terrorist financing declaration 
  • Sign & Notarize the public deed of the subsidiary’s incorporation
  • Complete a D1-A form declaring foreign investments and submit to the Registry of the Directorate General for Trade and Investment of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness 
  • Register your office at the Mercantile Register
  • Obtain a permanent NIF
  • Ensure all tax and labour procedures are complete through public bodies

Notably, Spain is aiming to improve the entire process through a series of newly introduced laws, so the aforementioned steps can be completed in a more singular environment, even telematic. 

What Our Clients Are Saying

Kyra Lee
Kyra Lee
16:49 26 Oct 23
Do not use them if you want your money stolen. My US company used them (Alejandro) for employment services of a person in Spain, and since the case has been closed and finished, we have money left in the account we are trying to close and get back. They have for MONTHS ignored our phone calls and emails. We even called their Madrid office and got their real-estate lawyer on the line and she hung up on us after we called many times. We have all emails and paperwork to prove this.
Kyra Lee
Kyra Lee
16:48 26 Oct 23
Do not use them if you want your money stolen. My US company worked with their Barcelona office (Alejandro) for employment services of a person in Spain, and since the case has been closed and finished, we have money left in the account we are trying to close and get back. They have for MONTHS ignored our phone calls and emails. We even called their Madrid office and got their real-estate lawyer on the line and she hung up on us after we called many times. We have all emails and paperwork to prove this.
Jonathan Elron
Jonathan Elron
07:37 13 Aug 23
A great law firm that covers anything an expat might need. I needed help with real estate initially, and they also helped me with immigration, taxes, and corporate legal matters. Fantastic people to work with. Alejandro from their real estate and immigration department is my main contact and he is an absolute pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!
Juan B Colombo
Juan B Colombo
15:25 04 Jul 23
I had an issue with an incorporation and I had to request a refund for my order. It took a little longer to get the refund but the CEO took personal care of my case and issued the refund as soon as it heard about the case. Very serious and responsible company.
pawel grochola
pawel grochola
10:55 18 May 23
I used Lexidy services to apply for SETR status.I did it after contacting a number of providers, but Lexidy were the only ones that consistently kept regular communication, promptly answered e-mails, kept all the appointments. Something that is a normal expectation but rarely met in Spain :).In addition they were very competent, provided clear and accurate advice. They also flexible and accommodating and Sara Rinaldi that i dealt with is a very pleasant person to deal with.It seems it is a business that have a clear business model of providing good quality service and as such I think it deserves to be promoted.
Harald Malm
Harald Malm
11:35 09 Apr 23
Lexidy's first submission on my behalf cost 400+VAT. For up to two years, I thought everything was fine. Until I received a notice from the Spanish tax authorities asking for official receipts and translations which were quoted at over 4000 euros. The submission was rejected and my tax liability was re-calculated making me owe thousands..During the process, there was no personal consultation, I had to edit and make several corrections, documents for the wrong year were submitted, the draft cover letter addressed me as a female.A attention to detail and quality control does not exist. I was moved from one advisor to the next and eventually left on my own with Spanish Tax Authorities.Had they given me proper tax advice like I paid them for, I would have been informed as to exactly what documents I should gather and translate for this process. Lack of clarity and communication is evident in the pathetic email chain with this company.They called with an urgent request for an additional 800+VAT and stated that if I did not immediately pay they would not support me any further when the issues has not been brought to resolution at all. How am I to trust this company and pay them another penny when I have been provided with a lack of competence and accountability.I am still waiting to hear back. Not a phone call nor email, even after following up via their website. No reply 🙁
Bob Tricarico
Bob Tricarico
12:34 15 Mar 23
Lexidy Law Boutique supported us on our recent home purchase in Portugal. It was a long process, but our lawyer, Pedro Saldahna was with us every step of the way. He guided us through the process and even helped with our builder, our estate agent and our mortgage company. The entire Lexidy team has been super supportive throughout the whole process. Highly recommend!
Bella F.
Bella F.
19:09 11 Jan 23
I'm so over this crowd. Paid a huge deposit 2 YEARS AGO just to be passed from pillar to post. I'm now on lawyer number 5 - all the others left the company - go figure. I'm moving on to a different firm and will be requesting a refund. Don't waste your time and money like I did. I agree with other reviews that the positives are probably sponsored
Ryan Rich
Ryan Rich
12:47 17 Aug 22
Lexidy has helped us so much in both the business and immigration side. We continue to use them for all legal needs and recommend them highly.
Ali Delshad
Ali Delshad
11:49 26 Jul 22
First of all, I would like to appreciate all the team members of Lexidy for helping me to get my residency card.I had a great experience especially on the SEF appointment day with their kind and helpful Brazilian expert which made my experience smooth and without stress.When you decide to work with this law company you should notice that you don’t just pay for lawyers but also for the quality, respect and safety.I’m totally happy with the processes and quality of their job.
Foysal Miah
Foysal Miah
20:47 25 Jul 22
It’s been more than two years now, I have known Lexidy and their amazing team. This company peoples are so active and helpful especially Karla. She is very kind and patience. Really appreciate your job and helping us to get a better future.
RICHARD BRITTON
RICHARD BRITTON
21:46 29 Jun 22
We contacted Lexidy Law boutique when we recently moved from Cyprus to open a new chapter in our lives to move into a house in Brittany that we had bought 12 years previously. We had underestimated the twists and turns involved in obtaining residency in France - so we contacted Lexidy Law Boutique and were assigned Eleonore, an immigration lawyer well acquainted with French immigration laws. From the very beginning we realised she was determined that we should have a successful outcome and she guided us expertly to avoid all the pitfalls in the process of applying for residency. She even accompanied us to the prefecture and ensured that everything went smoothly - without her presence we might well have not succeeded.We thank and highly recommend Eleonore and Lexidy Law Boutique.
Declan Ryan
Declan Ryan
20:48 01 Jun 22
The Lexidy team is uniquely positioned to provide pan-European business and tax advisory services; what would be complex or impossible for a country-specific advisor is straightforward for Lexidy. They answered in days what would take weeks for other firms.
Rick Kleinhans
Rick Kleinhans
13:03 27 Apr 22
Lexidy has been a lifesaver. The entire team has helped us so much on different matters both personal and corporate. Isabel in correcting an error by a previous accountant that was costing us an extra €1000 every month in social security payments! Jose with various matters and tax advice. Diego in helping us get documents notarized in Valencia even though he is based in Madrid. I cannot recommend them enough!
Aleksandar Vorinski
Aleksandar Vorinski
08:12 25 Apr 22
I recently purchased apartment, got NIE and opened bank account with their help. I m satisfied with their service, they are accurate and responsible.
A
A
17:31 24 Apr 22
I’ve dealt with hundreds of solicitors through business over the years but I must say Cristina and Lexidy Law are really something special. Responsiveness, proactiveness, knowledge and professionalism is, quite frankly, outstanding.M.
Jonas Hendrickx
Jonas Hendrickx
15:50 03 Dec 21
The labour law advice I was looking for. Delivered the answer quoting the law texts in Spanish as requested to make sure I was actually getting the correct answer for my question!These people are worth your money.
Kristen Wilkinson
Kristen Wilkinson
14:53 20 Oct 21
Update: While all of the initial responses were pretty quick, they started getting busy, so I had to constantly follow up. We have since sought assistance elsewhere.My husband and I plan to move from the USA to Porto, Portugal in the spring/early summer of 2023. We didn't know where to start or what to expect. I searched online and found Lexidy Law Boutique. Their website is intuitive, informative and inviting. I emailed the office and Lidiane responded within a few hours. Based on the information in my email, she emailed us appropriate information on our situation. She was very professional and offered to set up a web call if we wanted to. We ended up having our web call today and will be starting our journey of becoming Portuguese citizens. She informed us of the first steps, all of the documentation we need and what the law firm can do for us. Right after our call, she emailed us detailed information regarding pricing and what is entailed in that pricing. So far, the beginning of our journey is a positive one.
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Don’t try to go through the Subsidiary Formation process on your own. Seek the help of an experienced corporate lawyer to increase your chances of success and make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

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Tax agency registration

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Find your Corporate Lawyer

About Corporate Department

We are a department formed by qualified legal experts who have been trained in the field of corporate law. 

For us, Lexidy is a way of life and what excites us the most is to be able to deliver the happiness and satisfaction of a successful immigration process. We want to help you achieve your goals and dreams, whether it’s business in Spain or simply any activity.

Héctor Lopez Vazquez

Héctor Lopez Vazquez

Head of Corporate Department
Madeleine Cadwell

Madeleine Cadwell

Lawyer
Francesca Coluccio

Francesca Coluccio

Trainee
Luisa Rivera

Luisa Rivera

Trainee

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to taxation, there is no difference in Spanish legislation between regular companies and subsidiaries. The corporate incorporate tax rate is 25% regardless. However, newly created entity is entitled to a reduced rate of 15% during the first two years of profitability. 

 

Beyond this initial tax break, the Spanish subsidiary may be eligible for a number of tax deductions and exemptions. Subsidiary companies can take advantage of double tax treaties ratified by Spanish authorities. Another tax benefit this type of business enjoys is the potential to qualify for relief from having to pay withholding taxes. 

Choosing whether to establish a subsidiary or creating a new company depends on the goals you seek to achieve. Having another company within the share capital structure will better your access to financing from banks and private investors, It will demonstrate you have previously carried out the same/another activity, and there is a structure backing you up.

 

Similarly, if you are a foreigner intending to apply for a residence permit through the Business Activity Permit then you will need to submit a business plan to the immigration authorities. Consequently, having highlightable experience in the field which you are starting your project adds merit to your application. 

 

Opening a subsidiary in Spain can be beneficial for companies with difference streams of business and/or different teams. Separation between activities can be valuable for a multitude of reasons. Companies with a main branch overseas most commonly prefer to establish a subsidiary branch in Spain. If the parent company’s goal is to increase brand awareness, a subsidiary can be an easy approach of doing so. A subsidiary branch will provide easier access to the Spanish market and other European markets. Additionally, a subsidiary can form a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG), as long as the subsidiary is founded in Spain or another European Union country. Bear in mind, it takes at least two EU companies to found the EEIG.

Consider your business and your goals. As mentioned, the need for financing in the early stages of your project, or the existence of a simultaneous immigration process will probably tip the scales in favor of the subsidiary option. 

 

Likewise, if you expect short term benefits and distribute them among shareholders, incorporating your company as a subsidiary could be a favorable option depending on which country the parent company is based. Due to the fact that taxation is more favorable to companies than individuals. In this regard, treaties to avoid double taxation are quite important — a matter which requires case by case analysis. Luckily, our corporate and tax advisors can help you with that!

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