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Yes — a local lawyer or notary is required for company registration in most European countries. English-speaking corporate lawyers can handle the entire process.
Typical documents include due diligence reports, share purchase agreements, regulatory filings, and shareholder resolutions. Your lawyer will guide you through jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Spain's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 Seconds| Criteria | SL (Sociedad Limitada) | SA (Sociedad Anónima) | Autónomo | SL Unipersonal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. capital | €3,000 (Ley 18/2022) | €60,000 (25% paid up) | None | €3,000 |
| Shareholders | 1–unlimited | 1+ (cotizada: 100+) | 1 (you) | 1 only |
| Liability | Limited to capital | Limited to shares | Unlimited | Limited to capital |
| Corporate tax (IS) | 25% / 15% (new co., 2yr) | 25% | IRPF (progressive) | 25% / 15% (new) |
| Social Security | RETA if controlling shareholder | RETA (director >25% shares) | RETA mandatory | RETA |
| RETA monthly (2025) | €230–590/month (based on net income — RD 504/2022 cuota gradual) | |||
| Formation time | 2–5 days (CIRCE telemática) | 1–3 weeks | 1–2 days | 2–5 days (CIRCE) |
| Item | CIRCE (telemática) | Traditional (notaría) |
|---|---|---|
| Certificación negativa denominación (nombre reserva — Registro Mercantil Central) | €13.52 | €13.52 |
| Notaría — escritura de constitución | ~€150 (fixed standard) | €200–600 |
| Registro Mercantil | ~€40–80 | €40–150 |
| Abogado / gestoría (estatutos) | €0 (standard CIRCE statutes) | €300–2,000 |
| Capital social deposit (bank) | €3,000 minimum (returned) | €3,000 minimum |
| ITP/AJD exempt (exento since 2010, TRLITP art. 19.2) | €0 | €0 |
| Total formation cost (excl. capital) | ~€203–243 | €553–2,750 |
Scenario: US entrepreneur, solo, SaaS business, Madrid. Chooses SL Unipersonal via CIRCE telemática.
| Item | Cost |
| Nombre reserva + CIRCE + notaría + Registro | €207 |
| Capital social deposit (refunded) | €3,000 (refunded) |
| NIE (required before incorporation — non-EU) | €9.84 |
| Gestoría (AEAT registration, IVA, first year accounts) | €1,500/year |
| RETA (monthly, net income ~€2,000/month) | ~€294/month |
| Digital nomad visa (Ley 28/2022 — if remote income) | €73 (tasa consular) |
| Total first-year cost (excl. capital) | ≈ €5,240 |
IS 15% flat for first 2 years of profitability (Ley 27/2014 art. 29.1.b). Madrid has among the lowest local tax burden in Spain — IBI (business rates equivalent) low vs Barcelona.
