What kind of business is profitable in Spain. How to open your business in spain

What traspaso?

One of the most popular topics of conversation among expats in Spain is "traspaso". from spanish traspaso translated as "transfer", but in reality means the purchase or lease of a ready-made (small) business with all its components: premises (or long-term lease contract), equipment, trained workers, client base and everything else.

Of course, according to the system traspaso business is transferred from Spaniard to Spaniard, but it is believed that this is the most optimal way for foreign entrepreneurs. Indeed, in this case, you will not have to go through the authorities to obtain numerous permits and licenses (imagine what it is like without knowing the language). In addition, you can save on taxes: when transferring a business, you do not have to pay Spanish VAT (21%) and tax on the transfer of ownership.

Legal side and practical examples

Consider the most common case: a buyer (or an emigrant) from the CIS wants to buy a restaurant in a resort town. In case of traspaso, the new owner immediately receives a ready-made catering with the existing name, licenses, established contacts for the supply of products, a staff of cooks / bartenders / administrators / waiters. And all this in an already "promoted" place, which is known to locals and tourists.

The new owner has full right carry out rebranding, change the sign and concept, make repairs, make changes to the menu or switch to completely different dishes. You can just make small changes. For example, serving coffee not with cookies, but with sweets, coming up with new "tapas" (snacks) for beer, and so on. Some take on the business themselves, others prefer to hire a manager and see their subordinates no more than once a year.

If you decide to open your cafe from scratch, you will have to wait up to six months only for permission to open a terrace with two or three tables. In Spain, all this is strictly regulated (up to the number of chairs). In addition, in 2018 there were practically no free "bread" places (the first or second line of the sea or the city center) for a bar or cafe in Spain. So in some resorts traspaso- the only way out.

The cost of a Spanish cafe (up to 100m²) in a small Spanish town is estimated at about 15,000 euros. On the coast, prices are higher. A similar institution in Alicante will cost you 30 thousand, in Barcelona - from fifty. However, the "price tag" is very individual, much depends on the region, the specifics of the institution and other aspects.

In general, according to the "traspaso" system, any small business, not only related to food, can change hands. Most often it is a service sector: repair shops household appliances, internet cafe, courses foreign languages and much more.

Such a business is located approximately in the same price category that and small cafes. For example, a hairdressing salon for two working chairs in Malaga can be bought for 10,000 euros, the same amount will cost a month to rent the same business in a large shopping center in Madrid. But the conditions for transferring a business are different. Sometimes the previous owner is trying to squeeze the "maximum" for the existing farm, and sometimes he is ready to take a discount if he receives a percentage of the profits in the future.

Experience in dealing with the "traspaso" system

Residents of the post-Soviet space most often buy a business according to the system traspaso on the Costa Blanca, which is not surprising: here is Torrevieja, the most popular city among Russian-speaking emigrants. In addition, these regions are known for their affordable prices. Also very popular traspaso in Barcelona and other tourist and business centers of the country.

It is believed that Russians find it difficult to run a restaurant business in Spain. Obviously, tourists prefer to eat local cuisine on vacation. In our case, order paella, try different jamon, enjoy sweet turron, and so on. Even if there is a good local chef, it is not easy for our compatriots to compete with local restaurateurs because of their specifics.

What is this specificity? The fact is that in Spain restaurants, bars and cafes have always been a family business. Dad prepares food and goes out to meet guests, mom helps in the kitchen and at the bar, daughter takes orders and wipes tables, son prepares cocktails or catches fish. So the Spaniard comes to the cafe for a family atmosphere, appropriate culture and attitude. Russians are not used to working like this, they will not run around the hall, shake hands with visitors, kindly inquire about their tastes and mood - in a word, greet guests the way they would at home.

If you do choose a food-related business, be prepared to be the host of all your customers. You can hire a manager, but it’s not a fact that he will bring with him the same Spanish “warmth”, no matter what motivating interest you would offer him.

On the other hand, Russian-speaking emigrant businessmen have succeeded in repairing cars (the average cost of a car service starts from 30,000 euros). True, as practice shows, "our" workshops succeed only in the first year and a half. After that, the Russians adopt the local mentality with its manyana (the desire to postpone everything for "tomorrow") and siesta (long afternoon rest). Orders are executed more slowly, work is no longer as efficient, which cannot but affect profits.

Things are not bad with real estate offices and real estate agencies. As the Spaniards themselves respond, the Russians are good at finding approaches to different client and more resourceful.

Pitfalls - what you need to remember

When buying a business, you also take on the loans and debts of the previous owner. This also includes outstanding payments. utilities. So be careful and be sure to enlist the support of a lawyer who will check all this.

Despite the financial crisis, one can see that not all cities and their inhabitants are in decline. A prime example of this is Barcelona. A unique metropolis in which there is no crisis, but there are a lot of new opportunities. And it is very important that Spain is focused on medium and small businesses, unlike most other countries.

Leading analytical portals in Spain conducted a study, which resulted in a list of the most profitable business projects.

Gastronomic tourism (Turismo gastronómico)

Spain is a traditional tourist country. And we must pay tribute to the municipal authorities of absolutely all Spanish cities and municipalities, which, as best they can, develop everything locally. possible types tourism. Including gastronomy.

Now the words "jamon", "wine", "turron" and "tapas" have become synonymous with Spain. stores selling these types of goods are almost always profitable. Especially if they are located in the “right” place. At the same time, there are a lot of options for opening and promoting a business. You can try to organize such a grocery store on your own, or you can, in order to be sure and with a guarantee, acquire a franchise of a well-known gastronomic brand.

Investment (Invertir)

It is very likely that this item appeared in the list of "most profitable" in the wake of reports of Spain's recovery from the crisis. And yet, it is wiser to invest only if you are a stress-resistant professional and already have experience of losing large and small amounts in exchange transactions. Otherwise, you should either start studying in this direction, or go into a more reliable business.

Professional cleaning of premises (Servicios de limpieza profesional)

This is one of the most profitable species business in Spain! Moreover, the field of activity of this business is so wide that today hundreds of large and small cleaning companies operate in the country. And each has its own specialization: cleaning hotels, offices, gyms roads, beaches...
By the way, more than 50% of start-up entrepreneurs consider acquiring a franchise for professional services for cleaning.

Property for rent (alquiler de inmuebles)

A great type of business with minimal follow-up costs and high payback. Especially in tourist and coastal cities. Of course, each case has its own specifics.

And each time you should proceed not only from the possibilities, but also from your own preferences: do you prefer, whether it will be residential or, in the center of the metropolis or ...

Each answer involves an adjustment financial side question in the direction of reducing or increasing the initial cost of buying property in Spain.

More about doing business and investing in Spain:

Hospitable Spain opens up great opportunities for foreigners who decide to do business in its territory. Citizens of other countries can easily open their own company here, conduct business and make a profit. And about what steps will have to be taken for this, we will consider in this article.

The main features of starting a business in Spain

Any foreigner, on an equal footing with citizens of the country, has the right open your business in Spain. In general, it is worth noting that the process of establishing a company and organizing its activities does not differ much from the Russian one - it is simple, transparent and does not take much time. Plus, this does not require a special visa: it can be either a regular tourist visa or a visa for businessmen or investors. By analogy with Russia, a number of legal entities can engage in financial and economic activities in Spain, the most common of which are SL (Sociedad Limitada) - an analogue of the Russian Closed Joint Stock Company and SA (Sociedad Anónima) - Open Joint Stock Company.

Main differences

The only point that distinguishes a foreign businessman from a citizen of Spain is that non-residents - foreigners without a residence permit - do not have the right to be listed as employees of their own or any other company, receive an official salary and make contributions to Pension Fund and the social security fund: instead, they may have the status CEO and the founder and receive profit in the form of dividends. The situation is different for resident foreigners, including participants in the Golden Visa program, which allows you to obtain a residence permit by investing in real estate or the Spanish economy. In this case, the same rules apply to them as to the citizens of the country: they pay tax deductions on an equal basis with the Spaniards.

Main advantages

All processes associated with organizing your own enterprise in Spain are simple and do not take much time. Business in Spain for Russians- this is more than real, especially if its opening is accompanied by a reliable company that will provide all the necessary advice, help to draw up correctly founding documents, hire specialists and ensure tax optimization of the process. The undoubted advantages of doing business in Spain include the absence of numerous regulatory and supervisory structures, which in fact means quiet work without constant checks, which Russian entrepreneurs are so used to. If the company complies with Spanish law and pays taxes regularly, then there will be no problems with the official structures.

Main directions

The answer to that what kind of business can you do in spain, very simple. As in any country in the world, restrictions on the spectrum entrepreneurial activity which will bring stable income, simply does not exist. Often, businessmen "expand" or transfer their Russian business to the territory of Spain: those who are accustomed to engage in agricultural activities master it here; those who specialize in Catering open restaurants in Spain; those who know a lot about quality investments invest in liquid residential or commercial real estate. Recall that a business visa to Spain is not required for this: absolutely any foreigner with a tourist visa can become the founder of a company.

Main steps

• 1. Checking the name of the company in the Chamber of Commerce.
• 2. Preliminary opening of the current account of the future company on the basis of a certificate from the Chamber of Commerce on the reservation of the name for the future shareholders.
• 3. Preparation of statutory documents of the company by a notary in the presence of a representative of the accompanying agency.
• 4. Introduced authorized capital(minimum €3,100 if opening SL and €51,000 if opening SA).
• 5. Notarial registration legal entity in the presence of a notary and shareholders (or by proxy from shareholders). In the presence of all major shareholders, the notary registers the legal entity.
• 6. The accompanying agency registers the company with the tax authorities and receives a company identification number - the so-called NIF.
• 7. From this moment the company can start commercial activity, attract staff, conclude contracts, rent offices, etc.
• 8. In the event that the type of activity of the company implies a license (restaurant, hotel, etc.), then, in addition to NIF, it is necessary to obtain an appropriate license from the municipal authorities of a particular municipality.
• 9. For bookkeeping, timely payment of taxes and reporting, you must either hire a staff or outsource an accountant (70% of cases in Spain). This activity in Spain is called Gestoria, and some of the companies that provide it have been on the market for almost 100 years.

Main taxes

Declaration of income in Spain is submitted by both individuals and legal entities: quarterly and annually. Corporate income tax is 25%, for individuals it is calculated on a progressive scale: the higher the profit, the higher the taxes. You can file a declaration with the help of an accountant in order to take into account all the details and correctly reflect income and expenses and, possibly, receive a certain discount (it is provided not only on the basis of the expenditure side, but also if there are minor children, mortgage loans etc.).

Corporate income tax in the amount of 25% is paid once a year. VAT (IVA) in the amount of 21% is paid (or compensated by the state) quarterly. Tax on dividends - personal income - is calculated on a progressive scale, and its rates range from 18% to 43%. In the event that a foreigner is not a fiscal resident of Spain (not staying on its territory for more than 183 days a year), then his income tax is calculated at a fixed rate of 24%. Read more about taxes in Spain in the article of the same name.

Register a company and start do business in Spain for Russian entrepreneurs - just as real as in Russia. Real estate agency Estate Barcelona provides support to foreign businessmen at every stage of this process. If a we are talking about commercial real estate, then, in addition to selecting an object with good profitability, if necessary, assistance will be provided in obtaining mortgage loans. And also - opening bank accounts, registering a company and a full range of consulting services which may be needed for this stage

If necessary, our agency will act as a management company or select management company, which will defend the interests of your business projects in the field of commercial real estate and will take over all the processes of competent management of the object to obtain stable profit. When deciding to “expand” in the territory of a stable European state it is important to have a reliable partner. Estate Barcelona is proud of the portfolio of its clients: their trust speaks for itself.

However, do not think that in Spain you will have a red carpet laid out in front of you. Of course, foreign capital will be welcome in this country, but it will have to act in strict accordance with local laws, which may look very specific to Russians.

The most significant difficulties look like this:

• Value Added Tax (VAT) - 21%, and income tax for non-residents is 25%. And if you can't get tax incentives, you will have to pay very serious amounts to the state revenue.
• Registration of a business in Spain is simple, but requires knowledge of the language and specific local laws. Most likely, you will have to hire local consultants, whose services are not cheap.
• As a rule, Spanish banks approve no more than 50% of the requested amount for a loan, which can be a serious blow if there are not enough own funds.

And, of course, the most "bread" places on the business map of Spain are already occupied. We will either have to develop industries that have not yet been occupied, or compete fiercely with companies already on the market.

First steps in doing business in Spain

First of all, don't rush., because haste is needed only when catching small insects. If you rush too much, you can quickly fail and lose your invested money.

Do not trust colorful booklets urging you to start your own business. You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. If you do not have business experience in Russia, then it may be worthwhile to completely abandon doing business in Spain, as there is simply not enough experience.

If you already have business experience, then you need to decide on the type of activity, draw up detailed business plan to assess their own financial capabilities.

Do not save on local translators, lawyers and consultants. Such savings can go sideways, and an incorrect translation of the contract or an incorrectly completed declaration can result in losses of tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of euros.

Also, it should be taken into account that in Spain it is very difficult to find the right commercial property for rent, and you should accurately determine the place where the office or warehouse will be organized.

The best option would be to come to the country, look around on the spot, consult with experts and only then make a final decision.

What companies can be registered in Spain

By and large, the legal forms of business enterprises in Spain do not differ from those in Russia. Differences and specific features exist, but they are not so critical. Let us consider in detail all the existing organizational and legal forms in this country.

Individual entrepreneurship (Empresario Individual)

Quite a difficult type of activity for a non-resident. The fact is that individual entrepreneurship (IP) will require a visa with the right to work, and it is not easy for a Russian to obtain such a document. In addition, you will have to complete a number of additional documents.

You will need to register as a taxpayer (IAE), register with the tax office, register with social insurance authorities. All this will take at least 40 days, but in reality it will take 2 months.

Registering an individual entrepreneur will allow you to work for yourself, but will not give you the opportunity to create a truly big business. In addition, there is a progressive taxation scale for individual entrepreneurs (from 22% to 52%), and with an increase in income, the amount of the fee will also increase.

Also, it will not work to sell or buy a business in Spain, organized as an individual entrepreneur, and this imposes certain restrictions.

Limited liability company with free issue of shares (Public company)

The most suitable type of Spanish company for a foreigner. Allows you to hire up to a hundred employees, gives you the opportunity for equity partnerships and allows you to issue your own shares.

The most significant disadvantage of this legal form of the company is the need to contribute a significant share capital. The authorized capital required to start a business is 60,100 euros. Moreover, at least a quarter of the amount (15,025 euros) must be paid immediately upon registration, and the rest must be paid within a year.

Besides, this species The legal company assumes that the shares can be sold or transferred to other persons. If we draw parallels with Russia, then Sociedad Anonima is an open joint stock company (OJSC), and You can sell or buy such a business in Spain without any problems.

Limited liability company with closed issue of shares (limited liability company)

Almost a complete analogue of a company with an open issue of shares. Also, suitable for non-residents, it imposes some restrictions on activities.

First of all, the size of the authorized capital is seriously reduced. It is only 3,000 euros, but must be paid immediately upon company registration. The main restrictions are that bearer shares cannot be issued. Also, all owners of shares cannot transfer them to strangers, and they can be sold (transferred) only to the founders of the enterprise or their heirs.

Sociedad de Responsibilidad Limitada S.L is a closed joint stock company (CJSC) in the understanding of Russians.

More than 80% of all immigrants from Russia (as well as from other CIS countries) prefer to organize this particular legal form company, because it allows you to open family business in Spain and pass it on by inheritance.

How to open a business in Spain? 7 important steps

If someone thinks that it is difficult to open a business in Spain in Russia, then this person has never encountered Spanish government structures. To get everything required licenses and permits you need to visit a lot of departments and part with a decent amount.

For ease of perception, registering a business in Spain will be described in seven simple steps, which will help answer the question “How to open a business in Spain?”:

1. Getting an identifier. Any foreigner (including people with EU citizenship) must obtain a special tax identification number. It is called NIE, and is a complete analogue of the Russian TIN. In order to obtain a NIE, you need to submit an application to the police department at the place of registration. Term of receipt - from 3 days to one week.
2. Obtaining a certificate of the uniqueness of the company name. Once the NIE has been issued, you can start coming up with a company name. If a suitable name already selected, you should contact the Central Commercial Registry of Spain. To do this, you will have to go to Madrid, since applying for such a certificate requires personal presence. It is strongly recommended to submit 3-4 applications for the name at once, as there is a high probability that all suitable names already busy. In addition to the name, you must provide an abbreviation that will be used when filling out documents, as well as indicate the legal form of the future company. The certificate for the name will be issued within a month. Usually, this procedure takes no more than two weeks.
3. Opening a bank account. To issue a current account for a future company, you will need to present a certificate of originality of the name. Amount per bank account must not be less than the amount of the authorized capital or exceed it. If a company is opened with several co-founders, then when creating a bank account, everyone should be. It is advisable to open accounts with banks such as BBVA, Bankia or Santander.
4. Obtaining a notarized deed. Once you have your company name certificate, NIE ID, and bank documents in hand, you can register your company with a notary. When registering a business in Spain, a notary must provide full information about the owners of the company, a certificate of name, an extract from a bank account on the contribution of the authorized capital, the charter of the enterprise itself and other constituent documents, if any.
5. Registration of a non-permanent fiscal identifier NIF. You should visit the tax police department and obtain a non-permanent NIF fiscal identifier.
6. Registration and payment of the ITP fee. From the authorized capital deposited to the bank account, you will have to pay a fee in the amount of one percent of the amount. It was for this that it was necessary to issue a temporary NIF tax number. Payment must be made within one month.
7. Registration in the Chamber of Commerce. When all the required documents have been collected and taxes and fees have been paid, you can apply to the Chamber of Commerce located in Madrid. When registering, you must provide all previously issued documents, as well as receipts for the payment of taxes and fees. After that, as the newly formed company is registered with the Chamber of Commerce, you should again contact the tax office and get permanently registered. In the event that a company plans to engage in production or work in the field of catering, it is necessary to obtain the necessary permits.

Open your own business or buy a ready-made business in Spain?

As you can see from the description, opening a business in Spain is not as easy as it might seem. For paperwork, you will have to hire a business consultant, and later, at least for some time, use the services of hired managers.

Seems easier to buy already ready business in Spain and develop it, but this is far from the case.

First of all, a ready-made business in Spain will cost a very round sum. And when the seller finds out that we are talking about a buyer from Russia, the amount will simply double.

Secondly, a ready-made business in Spain will have to be re-registered, and this will take a lot of time and require no less bureaucratic red tape.

For this reason, despite the design a large number formalized documents and payment of a decent amount of taxes and contributions, organizing a business from scratch, rather than buying a ready-made business in Spain.

The most promising business areas in Spain

Private enterprise in Spain has been developing for more than a hundred years, and naturally, all the most "bread" areas of activity are already occupied. Non-residents of the country will have to work hard to find their niche, open a business in Spain and gain a foothold in the Spanish market.

For example, in the hotel business or in the large gambling business in Spain it is better not to meddle at all, since these markets have long been divided between large players.

However, there are still promising activities.

Personnel Agency

Let's face it, the Spaniards are not the most hardworking people. For this reason, hired workers from Russia are in high demand. Moreover, in Spain, workers are required for farms and vineyards, as well as highly qualified IT specialists.

The so-called "bounty hunters" looking for personnel in Russia can make big profits in the shortest possible time.

Slot machines

And if a foreigner simply cannot break through in the casino sector, then no one will forbid opening slot machines. It is best to do this in places with a large concentration of tourists or resort areas. As practice shows, even an expensive slot machine in a crowded place can pay for itself in 5-6 months, and then will bring a net profit.

Public catering facilities

Spain has more than enough restaurants with Michelin stars and specific cafes with local food. But the sphere of national catering outlets is not so much. And if you decide to organize a small cafe with national Russian (Ukrainian, Belarusian) cuisine, then there will definitely be a demand for it. Moreover, not only tourists, but also local residents will go to the cafe.

Conclusion

Of course, doing business in Spain is not a trip to a country with milky rivers and jelly banks. There are more than enough complexities and difficulties in entrepreneurial activity, but if you manage to gain a foothold in the field of Spanish business, then You will receive an enterprise that brings a stable income in hard currency.

In addition, it will be possible to count on obtaining a residence permit, and later on the citizenship of this country.

And non-residents in matters of starting a business. The procedure for registering a company is not particularly complicated, and the very fact of owning an operating company gives the owner the right to obtain a residence permit.

If the issue of starting a business is resolved, you should move on to solving two practical problems: what kind of business is profitable in Spain and how much does it cost to start a business in Spain?

What kind of business is profitable in Spain

The most attractive types of business in Spain for foreigners are:

• Small business:
  • travel companies, small hotels, aparthotels;
  • grocery stores, bars, restaurants, Internet cafes;
  • service companies for installing the Internet, satellite dishes and air conditioners, repairing computers and household appliances, repairing mobile phones and tablets;
  • hairdressing and beauty salons;
  • design and printing studios, web design, development and promotion of sites;
  • clothing and footwear stores;
  • auto repair shops.
• Medium business:
  • hotel business;
  • construction companies;
  • real estate agencies.

Each type of business has its own characteristics. The service sector is traditionally considered to be very labor-intensive and with a low level of profitability. At the same time, it also differs in sufficient stability. Hairdressers, restaurants, workshops work all year round, albeit with seasonal fluctuations in the number of clients. Design and printing studios, on the contrary, do not depend much on the seasons, and also allow hiring remote staff.

Another possibility is a franchise business, ie. joining one of the international networks. Franchising has covered literally all spheres of the economy: production, sales, service. McDonald's, Mango, Carrefour, BodyShop and thousands and thousands of other brands are franchised in Spain. AT last years this type of business is developing at a rapid pace, showing an average turnover higher than that of traditional outlets. The greater efficiency of franchising firms is due to the strength of the influence of a well-known brand and a more rational systematization of work. For a minority company, participation in a large network is a guarantee of high profitability and a reduction in the risk of bankruptcy, and also provides an opportunity to receive advertising support that is inaccessible to a traditional small business. If you do not mind working under the control of the owner, with the execution and compliance with all prescribed norms and requirements, it is worth trying this business option in Spain.

How much does it cost to start a business in Spain

The cost of starting a business in Spain depends on many factors.

• Registration of a legal entity and the passage of administrative formalities will cost 1-2 thousand euros;
• preparation of premises and purchase of equipment for a small bar / cafe - 10-15 thousand euros;
• restaurant design - from 25 thousand euros and more.

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