Company Formation
Setting Up a Company in Spain
NIE, company name, notarial deed and registration. Comparison table: SL / SA / Branch / JV. Triple FDI test (RD 571/2023): when you need prior authorisation from the Council of Ministers.
Ver más →Practice area · Bilingual ES/EN firm · Lex Prudens network
Lawyers for Foreign Investors in Spain
Company formation, post-Golden Visa residence, M&A due diligence and FDI Screening. Full legal support in English and Spanish for non-resident investors operating or looking to operate in Spain. Direct access to the managing partner on every matter.
Get in touchInvesting in Spain: opportunities and a regulatory framework you need to know
Spain holds a privileged position as a foreign investment destination in Europe: the fifth-largest economy in the eurozone, direct access to the EU single market, a qualified talent pool, world-class infrastructure and a competitive tax environment for impatriates and newly incorporated companies. The Startup Law and the reformed Beckham Law have reinforced the country's appeal in recent years.
However, the legal framework for non-resident investors changed substantially in 2025. Organic Law 1/2025 abolished the Golden Visa for real estate investment. Royal Decree 571/2023 introduced mandatory FDI Screening for investments in strategic sectors. And residence alternatives have diversified into three distinct pathways with different requirements.
Dobarro y Asociados advises international companies and investors across the full cycle: from the initial assessment of the investment structure through company formation, visa applications, pre-acquisition due diligence and ongoing regulatory compliance — entirely in English, with direct access to the managing partner on every file.
Three specialist areas
Legal Services for Foreign Investors
Comprehensive advice across the three areas that concentrate the greatest legal complexity for non-resident investors operating or entering Spain.
Visas & Residence
Investment & Residence Visas
Post-Golden Visa (Organic Law 1/2025): the three current pathways — Entrepreneur Visa, Highly Qualified Professional and Digital Nomad. Comparison table and compatibility with the Beckham Law (24% / 6 years).
Ver más →M&A Due Diligence
M&A Due Diligence in Spain
Six dimensions: corporate-legal, regulatory, environmental, labour, tax and real estate. Red Flag, full memorandum or vendor DD formats. SPA with R&Ws, indemnities, escrow and RWI Insurance.
Ver más →Spain as an investment destination
Four reasons to operate from Spain
Legal certainty
Spain is an EU member state with a civil law system aligned with European standards. Corporate, registry and contract law offer predictability and security for non-resident investors.
Gateway to the EU single market
Operating from Spain provides direct access to the EU single market: free movement of goods, services, capital and persons. A strategic advantage for investors from outside the European Union.
Competitive tax environment
Corporate income tax at 25% (15% for newly incorporated companies for the first two years). Beckham Law regime: flat 24% on employment income up to €600,000/year for 6 tax years.
Skilled talent pool
Spain concentrates qualified professionals in technology, industry and advanced services. The Digital Nomad Visa and the Highly Qualified Professional Visa facilitate the attraction of international profiles.
Our differentiators
Why international investors choose us
Fully bilingual ES/EN firm
All documentation, negotiations and advice can be handled entirely in English. The managing partner deals directly with international clients. Contracts, deeds and reports delivered in both languages.
Lex Prudens international network
Dobarro y Asociados is a member of Lex Prudens, a network of boutique law firms specialised in public business law with presence across multiple jurisdictions. Cross-border coordination when the matter requires it.
End-to-end support
From initial scouting and due diligence through company formation, visa applications, regulatory compliance and transaction closing. A single point of contact who knows the full picture of your investment in Spain.
Up-to-date regulatory knowledge
The legal framework for investors in Spain changes frequently: Golden Visa abolished (2025), FDI Screening introduced (RD 571/2023), Beckham Law reformed. Our advice is always grounded in current law.
“We needed to set up a Spanish subsidiary, obtain the necessary permits and navigate the FDI screening process — all within four months. Dobarro handled everything in English, on time, and with no surprises. That is rare.”
— CFO, energy sector multinational · Central Europe
Investing in Spain or planning to? Tell us about your matter in English or Spanish. We respond within 24 business hours: international@dobarroyasociados.com · +34 981 369 194
Could your investment require FDI Screening? If the investor is non-EU, the stake exceeds 10% and the sector is strategic, prior authorisation is mandatory before closing the transaction. Check the triple test: View FDI test →
Frequently asked questions
Has the Golden Visa for real estate investment in Spain been abolished?
Yes. Organic Law 1/2025 abolished the Golden Visa for real estate investment in April 2025. The current residence pathways are: the Entrepreneur Visa (Law 14/2013), the Highly Qualified Professional Visa (fast-track, 20 days) and the Digital Nomad Visa(remote work, <20% of income from Spanish clients). All three are compatible with the Beckham Law regime (flat 24% rate for 6 tax years).
What is FDI Screening and when is prior authorisation required?
Royal Decree 571/2023 governs the screening of foreign direct investment in Spain. Prior authorisation by the Council of Ministers is required when the investor is not an EU resident, the investment exceeds 10% of share capital, and the target operates in a strategic sector: energy, defence, critical infrastructure, sensitive data, biotechnology, media or artificial intelligence. The typical processing time is 3 to 6 months.
What fiscal advantages does the Beckham Law offer for professionals relocating to Spain?
The Beckham Law allows taxation at a flat rate of 24% on employment and business income up to €600,000/year, for 6 tax years. Compared to the general personal income tax rate of up to 47%, the saving is substantial. It is available to individuals who have not been tax residents in Spain during the 5 years prior to relocation.
How long does it take to incorporate a company in Spain as a non-resident?
The standard timeline is 6 to 8 weeks: NIE tax number (2-4 weeks) → company name approval (24-48h) → bank account and minimum share capital deposit of €3,000 for an SL (1-3 weeks) → notarial deed and Companies Registry inscription (2-4 weeks). If the investor is non-EU and the investment targets a strategic sector, the prior FDI Screening process may add 3-6 months.