Business law · Spain
Your trusted business lawyer in Spain
Setting up, buying, or restructuring a company in Spain involves civil-law formalities, notarial deeds, and tax obligations that can be hard to navigate from abroad. We match you with an independent Spanish lawyer who understands your commercial matter and can act locally.
- Company formation, contracts and compliance
- Disputes, debt recovery and insolvency
- English-speaking lawyers near you
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Legal support in Spain
Why a local lawyer matters
Business matters in Spain follow the Civil Code, Commercial Code and a decentralised regional legal map, so the right advice depends on where your company operates. A business lawyer in Spain can help you structure a subsidiary, review a commercial lease, prepare a notarial deed, or represent you before the Spanish courts. Because legal representation in civil and commercial litigation generally requires both an abogado and a procurador, working with a local professional is not a formality; it is part of how the system works. Our service simply matches you with an independent Spanish lawyer who handles your type of commercial matter. You describe the issue, we compare it with our network, and within one to two working days you receive a proposal. There is no charge to get matched, and you decide whether to instruct the lawyer.
Spain at a glance
How business law works in Spain
Spain follows a continental civil-law system built on the Civil Code, Commercial Code and the 1978 Constitution, with regional civil-law rules in territories such as Catalonia, the Basque Country, Navarre, Galicia and the Balearic Islands. Business transactions often require notarial deeds, registration and tax filings, and litigation is organised through specialised courts. Below are the key points to understand before you contact a lawyer.
Civil-law court system
Spain applies comprehensive legal codes under the continental model, not case-law precedent. At first instance, commercial and civil cases are heard by Courts of First Instance, appeals go to Provincial Courts, and cassation to the Supreme Court in Madrid. Certain Autonomous Communities have their own civil-law rules, which can change the outcome of a business dispute.
Who may practise
Only lawyers registered with a Spanish Bar Association (Colegio de la Abogacía) may practise. Admission requires a law degree, the Master of Access to the Legal Profession or equivalent Bar course of 90 ECTS, and passing the state aptitude examination. The Consejo General de la Abogacía Española coordinates the profession and ensures national mobility.
Notarial and registry duties
Transfers or encumbrances of real property require a public deed before a notary to be registered in the Property Registry. The Registry operates by ‘folio real’, tracing each property’s charges and rights. Since 2024, the Registry is managed electronically, and registration gives third-party protection to good-faith acquirers.
Court and legal fees
Court fees in civil and administrative proceedings are owed only by legal persons; natural persons are exempt. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed, with non-binding Bar guideline criteria. Losing parties may bear costs subject to a cap of one third of the amount in dispute for lawyer and procurador fees in declaratory proceedings.
Company-related deadlines
Key limitation periods affect business risk. General contractual claims prescribe after five years, rent arrears after five years, and administrative appeals must be filed within one month. Employment dismissal claims have a much shorter 20-working-day window. A Spanish lawyer can map these deadlines to your case before you act.
Non-resident tax note
Non-residents earning Spanish-source income without a permanent establishment pay IRNR at 24% if outside the EU/EEA, or 19% within the EU/EEA where tax information is exchanged. Capital gains, dividends and interest are generally taxed at 19%. A business lawyer can work with your tax adviser on structuring.
Key time limit — Commercial & Corporate Law
Debt recovery (general contractual claims) — 5 years. General contractual claims prescribe five years after the obligation becomes due.
The data on this page is drawn from official Spanish sources (BOE, e-justice, Agencia Tributaria) as of the date of publication.
- e-Justice Portal – National justice systems: Spain
- Royal Decree 135/2021 – Statute of the Spanish Legal Profession
- Spanish Civil Code (Código Civil)
- Workers’ Statute
- Tax on Inheritance and Donations Act
- Common Administrative Procedure Act
- Law 1/1996 on free legal aid and court fees
- Agencia Tributaria – Non-resident income tax rates
Common challenges
Where things can go wrong
Spanish business law has formalities that can surprise clients from other jurisdictions.
You cannot act alone in court
In Spanish civil and commercial litigation, you generally need both an abogado and a procurador. If your company is facing a claim, trying to handle it without local representation can lead to procedural mistakes and avoidable delay.
Deadlines are short and strict
An employment dismissal claim expires after 20 working days, and an administrative appeal after one month. Missing a Spanish limitation period can extinguish your right to bring a claim, even if your case is strong.
Cross-border formalities add cost
Real-property transfers, company deeds and registry filings often require a Spanish notary and registration. If you are abroad, coordinating these steps without a local lawyer can stall a transaction for weeks.
Why use our matching
A simpler way to find the right lawyer
We focus on the match, so you can focus on your business.
Vetted local specialists
We match you with an independent lawyer who focuses on business and commercial law in Spain. Every professional is registered with a Spanish Bar Association and can act throughout the national territory.
English-speaking advice
You can work in English while the lawyer handles Spanish-language proceedings, notarial deeds and registry filings. This removes the language barrier without losing the local expertise you need.
Clear deadlines and costs
You get an overview of the limitation periods and fee structure before you commit. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed, so you can compare their proposal and decide without pressure.
Fast, no-obligation matching
Submit your case and receive a proposal from a suitable lawyer, usually within one to two working days. The matching service is free and you are never obliged to instruct the lawyer.
Working across Europe
Related jurisdictions we cover
If your business matter crosses borders, you can also find a commercial lawyer in these European countries.
FAQ
Questions about business lawyers in Spain
When do I need a business lawyer in Spain?
Whenever your matter involves Spanish commercial law, such as forming a company, signing a commercial lease, recovering a debt, or defending a court claim. In litigation you generally need an abogado and a procurador, so local representation is often mandatory.
Can a lawyer from another EU country represent me in Spain?
Only lawyers registered with a Spanish Bar Association may practise Spanish law before the Spanish courts. A lawyer qualified elsewhere may need to register in Spain or work with a local abogado, depending on the rules on cross-border practice.
How much does a business lawyer cost in Spain?
Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed; there are no binding official tariffs. Bar associations publish non-binding guideline criteria. Court fees in civil proceedings are owed only by legal persons, while natural persons are exempt. Losing parties may bear costs with a statutory cap.
What deadlines should I know before starting a claim?
Employment dismissal claims must be filed within 20 working days, administrative appeals within one month, and general contractual debt claims prescribe after five years. A Spanish lawyer can confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case.
Do I need a notary to buy or sell a Spanish company or property?
For real property, a public deed before a notary is mandatory for registration. Company incorporation and many powers of attorney also require notarial intervention, making the notary a central figure in Spanish private-law transactions.
Is your matching service free?
Yes, getting matched with a business lawyer in Spain costs nothing. You describe your matter, we compare it with our network, and within one to two working days you receive a proposal. You decide whether to instruct the lawyer.
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