Doing Business in Spain

The Business in Spain section of SpainExpat.com covers a diverse range of topics to inform any potential or current expat interested in doing Business in Spain. Many expats come to Spain with a bit of savings, a good idea (often inspired by successful businesses back home) and the ambition to start a business. Here we cover taxes, types of corporate entities, etiquette, how to start a business and general help on making a living if you find yourself with the motivation but only a vague notion of how you'll make ends meet in Spain.

See all 7 guides

Highlights

"The traspaso itself only transfers what the contract says it transfers, and that is not automatically the licence."
- Start a Bar in Spain

"Your cuota now sits in one of fifteen bands tied to your forecasted net monthly income, running roughly €200 to €590 a month for 2026."
- Business Taxes in Spain

"INE counted 3.31 million active companies in Spain in 2025, and 95% of them had fewer than ten employees. If you're picturing a small business, you're picturing the median Spanish company."
- Business in Spain

"An SL can now be incorporated with 1 euro of share capital, provided you set aside 20% of profits toward a legal reserve every year until it reaches 3,000 euros."
- Start a Business in Spain

"Roughly one in five new businesses in Spain doesn't make it past its first year, per the national statistics institute."
- Five Ideas for Supporting Yourself in the Spanish Economy

"Since Ley Crea y Crece, an S.L. needs just one euro in share capital to form, down from the old three thousand."
- The Types of Business Entities in Spain

"Usted is still the safe opening move with anyone senior, considerably older, or in a traditional office, government department or bank."
- Business Etiquette in Spain