Spanish Non-Resident company setup

Operate legally. Recover VAT taxes. Comply with EU rules.

If your company is established outside Spain and you plan to carry out any of the activities listed below in Spain or with Spanish customers, you must obtain a Spanish VAT number (NIF). Compared to a limited company (SL in Spain), the non-resident VAT company allows you to operate in Spain without creating a permanent establishment, and helps you stay fully compliant with Spanish and EU tax rules without Spanish bookkeeping.

Your Non-resident (NR) VAT company will allow you to do all of the following:

Hire employees in Spain.
Recover VAT paid in Spain.
Provide telecommunication, digital, or broadcasting services to EU clients.
Hold goods in Spanish ports or bonded warehouses.
Participate in EU supply chains or drop-shipping (Intrastat).
Import or export goods into Spain.
Sell goods or services to Spanish consumers.
Install technical equipment in Spain.
Host trade fairs, trainings, or corporate events.
Sell online (e-commerce or distance selling, e.g. Amazon).

How Strong Abogados helps you

We guide your business through a practical, compliant VAT setup in Spain — without unnecessary complexity.

Assess whether Spanish VAT compliance is required for your planned activity (including permanent establishment risk).
Prepare all documentation, forms, and statements required.
Act as your fiscal representative when legally required (non-EU companies).
Handle periodic VAT filings and ongoing compliance.
Coordinate directly with the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) on your behalf.

Important disclosure: Strong Abogados is a private law firm. We do not issue tax IDs or official permits; these are granted by notaries and the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT). We provide legal and compliance services to help your business meet its obligations.

Typical documents we ask for:

A recent company extract showing address, directors, shareholders, and powers of representation.
Passport copy of the director(s).
Power of Attorney (template provided by us).

Timeline

What usually takes the longest: receiving the physical, apostilled Power of Attorney (PoA). International apostille and courier times vary by country.

Remote process: Once the apostilled PoA reaches our offices, we typically complete the setup in 1–2 weeks.
In-person process: If you attend the notary with us, signing is immediate and the remaining steps are completed within 1–2 weeks.

Timeframes are indicative and depend on third-party scheduling (notaries, authorities) and the completeness of the documentation provided.

Disclaimer: Strong Abogados is a private law firm and is not affiliated with AEAT or any public authority. Official decisions and the issuance of identifiers are made exclusively by the competent authority.

Questions? We're here to help!

Legal Information

Strong Law is registered in the Commercial Registry of Spain as:

Strong Law and Compliance S.L. – B44642593

Registered office: Julián Romea 11, local, 28003 Madrid

Our lawyers are registered with the Madrid and Barcelona Bar Associations.
We are an accredited Punto PAE (Entrepreneur Support Point) authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Industry.

Disclaimer: Strong Abogados S.L. is a private law, accounting, and tax advisory firm. We assist clients with registration procedures before Spanish authorities but are not part of any government body.