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Home›Companies›Opening a Subsidiary in Spain
FOREIGN COMPANIES IN SPAIN
100% online process desde 1.499,00 €

Opening a Spanish subsidiary of a foreign company

Set up a Spanish company owned by your parent company, with limited liability.

Unlike a branch, a subsidiary is a Spanish company with its own separate legal personality: the parent company's liability is limited to the capital contributed. This is the usual structure when the activity in Spain will be ongoing, staff will be hired, or the group wants to shield itself from risk. It requires apostilled and translated documentation from the parent company, and a NIF for the parent company as shareholder.

✓Liability limited to the capital contributed
✓Apostilled and translated documentation from the parent company
✓NIF for the parent company as foreign shareholder
✓Non-resident directors: NIE processed
✓Incorporation by video call from any country
✓Subsidiary operational in 4-6 weeks
Instant WhatsApp OR CALL US 930 485 101
ONLINE REQUEST
Reply < 2 h
Request: Opening a Subsidiary in Spain
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Law 11/2023
The same legal validity as signing in person
Registered
Practising notaries of the Notarial Association of Spain
4,7 / 5
Average rating from more than 1.000 clients
< 2 h
Average response time to a request

When might you need it?

The most common cases for this procedure

Stable establishment in Spain
Ongoing activity that justifies having its own structure and shielding the group from risk.
Hiring staff
Employees in Spain with a Spanish employer, simpler than through a branch.
Shielding the group from risk
Prevents the parent company from being liable with all its assets, as happens with a branch.
Access to financing and grants
A Spanish company with access to banking, guarantees and national funding programs.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PROCEDURE
✓Resolution by the parent company's governing body to set up the subsidiary and subscribe the capital
✓Documentation from the parent company, apostilled and translated by a sworn translator
✓Spanish NIF for the parent company as foreign shareholder (we handle this)
✓NIE/NIF for the appointed directors
✓Negative certification of company name and registered address in Spain
DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED
01Deed of incorporation and bylaws of the parent company, apostilled and translated
02Certificate of good standing and officers of the parent company, recent and apostilled
03Resolution by the competent body to set up the subsidiary and appoint a representative
04Identification of the directors of the new company
REGULATIONS: RDL 1/2010 Spanish Capital Companies Act Commercial Registry Regulations Law 19/2003 on capital movements (foreign investment declaration, form D-1A) Hague Convention (apostille)

How does the process work?

From request to signed document, with no travelling

1 Subsidiary or branch 2 Parent company documentation 3 NIF and incorporation 4 Registration and start-up
1
Subsidiary or branch
⏱ 2-3 days
We compare liability, taxation and cost before deciding. A subsidiary is not always the best option.
2
Parent company documentation
⏱ 1-3 weeks
We coordinate apostilles and sworn translations: this is the phase that determines the real timeline.
3
NIF and incorporation
⏱ 1 week
We obtain the parent company's NIF and execute the deed by video call.
4
Registration and start-up
⏱ 2-3 weeks
Registration, final NIF, tax registration and foreign investment declaration.

Clients who have already done it

Verified reviews of this service

4,7★★★★★
★★★★★EN
"We initially asked for a branch. They explained the unlimited liability exposure and we set up a subsidiary instead. Better advice than we got from two other firms."
C
CFO
US group · Madrid
★★★★★ES
"Filial constituida con la matriz como socia única. Tramitaron NIF, apostillas y hasta la declaración de inversión exterior."
Dg
Director general
Grupo mexicano · Barcelona
★★★★★DE
"Spanische Tochtergesellschaft komplett aus Deutschland gegründet. Alles per Videokonferenz unterzeichnet."
G
Geschäftsführer
GmbH · Valencia
★★★★★FR
"Création de filiale avec administrateurs non résidents. Les NIE ont été obtenus en parallèle, sans retarder le calendrier."
Dg
Directrice générale
Groupe français · Bilbao
★★★★★ES
"Necesitaba el trámite con urgencia y lo resolvieron en tiempo récord. El notario fue muy profesional y recibí el documento al día siguiente."
CR
Carmen R.
España
★★★★★EN
"Excellent service from start to finish. Everything was handled online and the signed document arrived within 24 hours. Highly recommended."
JW
James W.
Reino Unido
★★★★★ES
"Lo gestioné desde Buenos Aires sin viajar a España. Me guiaron paso a paso, incluso con el certificado digital. Todo claro y sin sorpresas."
MG
Mariana G.
Argentina
★★★★★FR
"Démarche réalisée entièrement en ligne depuis Paris. Équipe très réactive sur WhatsApp et notaire très professionnel. Impeccable."
SL
Sophie L.
Francia
★★★★★ES
"El proceso fue mucho más sencillo de lo que esperaba. Atención cercana por WhatsApp y presupuesto cerrado sin costes ocultos."
AM
Andrés M.
España
★★★★★DE
"Die Beurkundung wurde komplett online erledigt. Schnelle Terminvergabe, klare Anweisungen und das Dokument kam am nächsten Tag."
KB
Katrin B.
Alemania
★★★★★IT
"Pratica completata interamente online dall'Italia. Notaio disponibile e documento firmato in 24 ore. Servizio eccellente."
MT
Marco T.
Italia
★★★★★PT
"Tratei de tudo sem sair de Lisboa. Acompanhamento constante por WhatsApp e documento entregue no dia seguinte. Recomendo totalmente."
BS
Beatriz S.
Portugal
★★★★★ES
"Desde CDMX pensé que sería complicadísimo, pero salió a la primera. Videollamada puntual, notario clarísimo y precio cerrado."
GP
Gloria P.
México
★★★★★EN
"Handled from New York without flying to Spain. Clear instructions, fast scheduling and constant updates. Five stars."
SK
Sarah K.
Estados Unidos

Frequently asked questions

Can I open multiple branches at once?−

Yes, we can manage the opening of several branches simultaneously. We coordinate the entire process centrally so you can have a single video call and we sign all necessary deeds.

It is especially useful for expanding companies that need to formalize several locations at the same time.

Do I need to be physically in Spain to sign?+

No. If you are the legal representative of the company, you can complete the entire procedure online from any country in the world.

The video call with the notary and digital signature have full legal validity regardless of your geographic location.

How much does it cost to open a branch online?+

Our prices are transparent and adjusted according to the characteristics of each case: number of branches, location, documentary complexity, etc.

Request your personalized quote without obligation and we will send you a detailed breakdown of all items included in the service.

Does the branch need its own tax ID?+

No. The branch uses the same tax ID as the parent company, as it is not an independent legal entity but a dependent establishment.

What it does require is to register with the Tax Agency as a new location or permanent establishment, a procedure we can also manage for you.

Is it possible to close the branch later?+

Yes, closing a branch also requires a notarial deed and registry registration, and we can manage it equally online.

The process is similar: video call with notary, digital signature, and electronic filing with the Commercial Registry.

What documentation do I need to start the procedure?+

The basic documentation includes:

  • Articles of incorporation of the parent company
  • Company tax ID
  • Powers of attorney of the legal representative who will sign
  • Details of the new location (complete address, activity)
  • ID/NIE of the signatory

Our team will tell you if you need anything additional depending on your specific case.

How long does the Commercial Registry registration take?+

We file electronically immediately after signing. The registration period depends on each provincial Commercial Registry, but is usually between 5 and 15 business days.

We keep you informed of the status of the procedure and send you the official documentation as soon as it is available.

Does a digital deed have the same validity as an in-person one?+

Absolutely. The digital signature made via video call before a licensed notary has full legal validity, exactly the same as an in-person signature at a notary office.

It complies with all established legal requirements and is accepted by the Commercial Registry and any official body.

What is the difference between branch, subsidiary, and delegation?+

Although they are used as synonyms, legally they refer to the same concept: a permanent establishment dependent on the parent company.

All require a notarial opening deed and registration in the Commercial Registry, and operate under the same tax ID as the parent company.

Can I modify the branch details after opening it?+

Yes, any change to the branch details (change of address, expansion of activity, etc.) requires a new notarial deed of modification.

We can also manage these modifications online with the same process: video call, digital signature, and registry registration.

Subsidiary or branch?+
A subsidiary is an independent Spanish company and the parent company's risk is limited to the capital contributed. A branch has no separate legal personality and the parent company is liable with all its assets. If you're going to hire staff or take on significant contracts, a subsidiary is almost always the better choice.
Does the foreign parent company need a Spanish NIF?+
Yes, as a shareholder of a Spanish company it must obtain a NIF. We handle this as part of the same engagement by power of attorney, without anyone needing to travel.
Does the foreign investment need to be declared?+
Yes, through form D-1A filed with the Foreign Investment Registry of the Ministry of Economy, generally after the transaction. This is included in our service.
Can the directors be non-residents?+
Yes. They need a NIE/NIF and a qualified certificate to sign; we handle this together with the incorporation.
How long does the whole process take?+
Between four and six weeks, and the timeline depends mainly on how quickly the parent company can obtain its apostilled documents in its home country. This is the first thing that should be set in motion.
Do documents signed online have the same validity as those signed in person?+
Exactly the same. Law 11/2023 recognises the full legal validity of notarial documents executed by video call with a qualified electronic signature before a registered notary.
Do I need a digital certificate?+
Yes, to sign electronically you need a digital certificate or an electronic DNI. If you do not have one, we help you obtain it quickly before your appointment, with no additional handling fee.
Can I do it from abroad?+
Yes, the notarial video call works from any country. You only need a stable connection, your valid identity document and a digital certificate.
How much does this service cost?+
The quote includes the official notarial fees set by the Notarial Association plus our handling, fixed before you start and with no hidden costs. Request it with no obligation via WhatsApp or the form.
What if I have questions during the process?+
Our team supports you from start to finish via WhatsApp, phone or email, and the notary answers all your legal questions before signing.
Ready to get started?
Request information with no obligation: we will contact you within 2 hours.
WhatsApp 930 485 101