Q&A · Grounds · updated 07.07.2026
How to Open an SL (LLC) in Spain: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Updated: 7 July 2026 · Verified against official sources
A quick summary of costs and timelines is below; a step-by-step walkthrough of the whole procedure is in the article “Setting Up an S.L. Company in Spain”, and turnkey incorporation is on the service page “Company Formation in Spain”.
It depends on your status: if you already have an NIE (foreigner identification number) and are in Spain, a Sociedad Limitada can be registered in 2–4 weeks. The minimum share capital should be checked against the official rate (historically symbolic); the main costs are the notary and the registration fee. A Spanish SL is a full equivalent of a Russian LLC and can serve as grounds for obtaining a work residence permit.
What an SL is and who needs one
The Sociedad Limitada (S.L.) is the most common company form in Spain for small and medium-sized businesses. It limits the founders' personal liability, lets you hire employees, sign contracts and open a corporate bank account. For non-residents and new residents it is also a legalisation tool: the founder-director of a company with genuine business activity can apply for a self-employment work permit (cuenta propia).
Step by step: registering an SL
- Obtain an NIE — the foreigner identification number. Without it, the notary will not certify the articles of incorporation. Read more in our guide on how to get an NIE in Spain.
- Reserve the company name with the Registro Mercantil Central (online or in person). The name-uniqueness certificate is valid for 3 months.
- Open a bank account and deposit the share capital. The minimum share capital of an SL is set by law — check the current threshold in official sources as of your registration date.
- Draft and sign the articles of incorporation before a notary (escritura de constitución). The notary fee depends on the capital amount and the length of the articles — check the official tariff.
- Register the company with the Registro Mercantil of your province. This usually takes 10–15 working days after the notary submits the documents.
- Register for tax with the Agencia Tributaria (the Spanish tax agency): obtain a CIF (company tax number) and file the declaration of commencement of activity (modelo 036).
- Register with the Seguridad Social (Spanish social security) as a founding director (autónomo societario) — this is a mandatory condition for conducting operating activity.
The SL and residence permits: how they are linked
Having an SL is not an automatic ground for a residence permit. What matters is genuine economic activity, a director's contract and documented proof of income. An alternative route for remote entrepreneurs is the digital nomad visa (DNV) with an income threshold of €2,760–2,850/month: it does not require a Spanish company, but having one is allowed.
| Stage | Where | Approximate timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | Registro Mercantil Central | 1–3 days |
| Notarisation of the articles of incorporation | Notaría | 1–3 days |
| Registration with the Registro Mercantil | Provincial Registro Mercantil | 10–15 working days |
| Tax registration with the Agencia Tributaria | Online / AEAT office | 1 day |
| Registration with the Seguridad Social | Oficina de la SS | 1–2 days |
Planning a residence permit through a company? First check whether your income qualifies for the DNV or another ground — that may be faster than setting up an SL.
Generate a document checklist →This is a preliminary assessment based on official sources, not individual legal advice. Your case may differ — get a free case review.
Official sources: BOE — Spanish legislation · Ministry of Inclusion and Migration · Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs