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Setting up a limited company (S.L.)

Crear una sociedad limitada (S.L.)

What it is

In a limited company the partners are not personally liable for the company's debts: their liability is limited to what they contributed to the capital, with a minimum of €1. If the capital is below €3,000, at least 20 % of profits must go to the legal reserve until reserve plus capital reach €3,000, and if on liquidation the assets are not enough to pay the debts, the partners are jointly liable for the difference between €3,000 and the subscribed capital. The company can be set up online through the CIRCE system, by filling in the Single Electronic Document (DUE) yourself (an electronic certificate is required) or with help at a Punto de Atención al Emprendedor (PAE). First you must request from the Central Commercial Registry the certificate that the company name is not taken (valid for three months, renewable for another three). Sending the DUE books an appointment with the notary, where you bring the bank certificate of the capital contribution and the name certificate. The system then requests the provisional tax number (NIF), registers the company with the tax office, obtains the ITP/AJD receipt (incorporation is exempt), registers it with the Provincial Commercial Registry and with Social Security, and finally the tax office sends the definitive NIF.

Official wording
La creación de empresas por Internet (CIRCE) es un sistema que ofrece la posibilidad de realizar los trámites de constitución y puesta en marcha de la Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada por medios telemáticos.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Guide "Sociedad Limitada: creación y puesta en marcha" (PDF)

When

Before starting the activity. The first step is to request the company name certificate from the Central Commercial Registry, valid for three months and renewable for three more: keep this in mind so it does not expire during incorporation. Tax registration must be filed before the activity begins.

Official wording
La validez del certificado es de tres meses renovables por otros tres meses más, es importante tener en cuenta estos plazos para evitar que la certificación pueda caducar durante el proceso de constitución de la sociedad.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Reserve the company name

    Request from the Central Commercial Registry the negative certificate of the name (that it is not taken or reserved by another company); it can be done on its website. The name must include "Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada", "Sociedad Limitada", "S.R.L." or "S.L." and cannot be identical to another company's. A copy of the certificate is attached to the DUE.

    Official wording
    Solicitar al Registro Mercantil Central la certificación negativa de la denominación social de la futura SRL (justificación de que el nombre de la sociedad no está ni asignado, ni reservado por otra empresa).

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Contribute the share capital

    In the DUE you only state the capital, each partner's share and, for non-cash contributions, a brief description and value. Contributions are proved before the notary when signing the deed: cash, with a bank certificate of each partner's deposit; for non-cash contributions, ask the notary beforehand. No proof is needed if the founders declare in the deed that they are jointly liable for them. Married partners under separation of property must bring their marriage settlement.

    Official wording
    La acreditación de las aportaciones al capital se deberá realizar ante el Notario, en el momento de la firma de la escritura de constitución.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Fill in and send the DUE (CIRCE system)

    The Single Electronic Document (DUE) can be completed by the entrepreneur, if they have an electronic certificate, or at a Punto de Atención al Emprendedor (PAE); in that case the only trip needed is to the notary. You must review and sign it before sending; ask the PAE for a printed copy of the DUE-pdf and keep it. Sending it starts the online processing.

    Official wording
    Si escoge este último sistema, el único desplazamiento a realizar será acudir a la notaría.

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Sign the deed before a notary

    Sending the DUE immediately books an appointment with the chosen notary to sign the deed of incorporation. Bring the bank certificate of the capital contribution and the negative name certificate.

    Official wording
    Con el envío del DUE, se genera una solicitud de cita con la Notaría elegida para el otorgamiento de la escritura pública de constitución de la sociedad.

    Official sources

  5. Step 5: Automatic processing until the definitive NIF

    Without the entrepreneur's involvement, the system requests the provisional NIF and registers the company with the tax office, obtains the ITP/AJD receipt (incorporation is exempt), registers the company with the Provincial Commercial Registry and handles Social Security (contribution account codes and registration of partners and workers, if any). Finally the tax office confirms the definitive NIF and sends it to the company's tax address; the file status can be checked online.

    Official wording
    Actualmente, la constitución de sociedades está exenta del pago del Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales y Actos Jurídicos Documentados (ITP/AJD).

    Official sources

  6. Step 6: Steps to start operating

    Also: register partners and directors in the appropriate Social Security scheme; legalise the books (minutes, partners' register, journal, inventories and annual accounts); get an electronic certificate; obtain any activity licences required; and, if you hire staff, register the company, affiliate and register the workers, report the contracts, notify the opening of the workplace and display the work calendar.

    Official wording
    Comunicación de apertura del centro Constituida la Sociedad o decidida por el empresario la iniciación de su de trabajo actividad, se deberá proceder a la comunicación de apertura del centro de trabajo, a efectos del control de las condiciones de Seguridad y Salud Laboral.

    Official sources

Documents

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🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

For companies with share capital of up to €3,100, the notarial and registry fees of Royal Decree-law 13/2010 apply. Incorporation is exempt from ITP/AJD.

Official wording
Para las sociedades con capital social no superior a 3.100 euros se aplicarán como aranceles notariales y registrales, los establecidos en el Real Decreto Ley 13/2010.

Official sources

FAQ

What is the minimum capital?

The minimum is €1. If capital is below €3,000, at least 20 % of profits must go to the legal reserve until reserve plus capital reach €3,000, and on liquidation, if assets are insufficient, the partners are jointly liable for the difference between €3,000 and the subscribed capital.

Official wording
La responsabilidad de los socios por las deudas sociales está limitada a las aportaciones a capital, siendo el mínimo de 1 €.

Official sources

Related procedures

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