Invest in Catalonia
Setting up
Setting up a business in Catalonia is easy. The procedures depend on the legal form of the company
Steps for setting up a company (SA/SL)
- Certificate of availability of company name.
- Opening a current account and requesting a certificate confirming that the share capital has been paid into the bank.
- Drafting the articles of incorporation.
- Granting powers of attorney (optional).
- Executing the deed of incorporation of the company.
- Census declaration.
- Obtaining the provisional tax identification code (CIF)
- Registration for the following taxes:
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Corporate Income Tax (IS)
- Business Tax (IAE)
- Payment of Property Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty (ITP and AJD).
- Registration on the Companies' Register.
- Obtaining the required licenses, authorisations and administrative registrations.
- Registering the company with the Social Security System.
- Registering and affiliating the workers with the Social Security System.
- Communicating the opening of the business premises.
- Obtaining the definitive Tax Identification Code (CIF).
- Legalisation of the company records.
In the event that a company (SA/SL) associate is a foreigner, in addition to these steps they will also have to obtain:
- Foreigners' Identity Number (NIE) from a central-government office (Oficina de la Subdelegació del Govern) or a Spanish Consulate or Embassy.
- Authorisation of the investment from the General Directorate for Trade and Investment (Register for Foreign Investments) run by the Ministry of the Economy.
The total time period for the incorporation of the business is approximately 30 days (apart from any necessary administrative authorisations and registration on the Companies' register).
Steps for setting up a branch / representative office
The requirements, steps and costs involved in opening a branch/ representative office are very similar to those for the incorporation of a subsidiary, with a few differences:
- Opening a current account and transferring funds.
- Executing the deed of incorporation of the branch / representative office.
Steps for setting up as self-employed The total time period is approximately one week (apart from any necessary administrative authorisations). It requires the following:
- Census declaration.
- Obtaining the Tax Identification Code (CIF) and registration for the following taxes: Value Added Tax (VAT) and Business Tax (IAE).
- Obtaining the required licenses, authorisations and administrative registrations.
- Registration with the Special System for Self-employed Workers (RETA).
- Registering the business with the Social Security system for registering workers.
- Communicating the opening of the business premises.
- Legalisation of the company records.
If the self-employed worker is a foreigner, they should obtain the following beforehand:
- Residence and work permit.
- Validation and approval of the relevant qualifications.
