Buying a shelf company in Spain is one of the fastest ways to start operating through a Spanish legal entity, but the pricing can be confusing. Quotes vary wildly between providers, some include share capital in the price while others do not, and hidden fees can turn what looked like a bargain into a more expensive option than incorporating from scratch. This guide breaks down the real cost of buying a shelf company in Spain in 2026, covering every company type, what is included, what is extra, and how the numbers compare to forming a new company.
Understanding the cost structure requires distinguishing between three things: the purchase price charged by the provider, the share capital already inside the company (which is not a fee — it becomes your equity), and the administrative costs that are either included or charged separately. Many buyers confuse these elements, which leads to poor comparisons.
Shelf company pricing by type
The Spanish market offers three main categories of shelf companies. Pricing depends on the legal form, the amount of share capital, and the province where the company is registered.
Standard SL (Sociedad Limitada) — from €1,395 + VAT
The standard SL is the most popular shelf company in Spain, accounting for more than 90% of all purchases. It comes with three thousand euros of share capital already deposited, which is the traditional minimum for an SL and remains the practical standard despite the Ley Crea y Crece reducing the legal minimum to one euro.
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| Company with definitive CIF | Yes |
| Share capital (€3,000) paid up | Yes |
| Notarial share transfer deed | Yes |
| Mercantile Registry filings | Yes |
| CNAE code change | Yes |
| Beneficial ownership declaration | Yes |
| Certificates of good standing (AEAT, Social Security) | Yes |
| Certificate of inactivity | Yes |
| Total price | From €1,395 + VAT (€1,688 inc. VAT) |
The VAT (IVA) is 21% and is fully deductible as an input tax on the buyer’s first quarterly VAT return if the company is VAT-registered, which it will be.
This is the starting point. You walk away with a fully operational Spanish limited company with a definitive tax number, ready to invoice, hire, sign contracts, and trade from the day of signing.
Increased capital SL — from €2,500 + VAT
Certain situations require a company with more than three thousand euros of share capital. Franchise agreements typically stipulate minimum capital thresholds. Public tender requirements may demand demonstrated financial substance. Some regulated sectors impose minimum capital as a condition of licensing.
| Capital amount | Price (+ VAT) |
|---|---|
| €10,000 | From €2,500 |
| €30,000 | From €3,200 |
| €60,000 | From €4,500 |
| €100,000 | From €6,000 |
| €240,000 | On request |
These prices include everything listed in the standard SL table above. The higher price reflects the greater share capital locked inside the company and the cost of maintaining it since formation.
Increased-capital shelf companies are particularly relevant for buyers entering the franchise sector (where franchisors commonly require thirty thousand to sixty thousand euros of capital) and for companies bidding on public contracts (where solvency thresholds are tied to the contract value).
SA (Sociedad Anonima) — from €4,000 + VAT
The Sociedad Anonima is Spain’s equivalent of a public limited company. It requires a minimum share capital of sixty thousand euros, of which at least 25% (fifteen thousand euros) must be paid up at formation, with the remainder callable by the board.
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| SA with definitive CIF | Yes |
| Share capital (minimum €60,000, 25% disbursed) | Yes |
| Notarial share transfer deed | Yes |
| Mercantile Registry filings | Yes |
| Beneficial ownership declaration | Yes |
| Total price | From €4,000 + VAT |
SAs are less common in the shelf company market because the capital requirements are higher and most businesses in Spain operate as SLs. However, SAs are required or preferred for certain regulated activities (financial services, insurance, listed securities), for companies planning an eventual IPO, and for joint ventures where the SA’s governance structure (board of directors with formal committees) is preferred.
Power of attorney supplement — €200 + VAT
If the buyer cannot attend the notarial signing in person — which is common for non-residents and international investors — the transaction can be completed through a power of attorney (poder notarial). The buyer grants power to a representative in Spain who signs on their behalf.
The supplement of two hundred euros plus VAT covers the preparation of the power of attorney document and coordination with the notary. The buyer signs the power of attorney at a notary in their country of residence (or at a Spanish consulate), has it apostilled or legalised as applicable, and sends it to Spain. The representative then completes the purchase.
This is the standard route for buyers who want to acquire a Spanish company without travelling to Spain. See our detailed guide on buying a company in Spain as a foreigner for the full process.
What is included in the price (and what should always be included)
A transparent shelf company price should include the following items without separate charges:
- The company itself with a definitive CIF (tax identification number)
- Share capital already paid up and deposited in the company’s bank account
- Notarial deed of share transfer
- Mercantile Registry filings for the change of director, registered office, and business purpose
- Beneficial ownership declaration filed with the Mercantile Registry under Royal Decree 609/2023
- CNAE code change to reflect the buyer’s actual business activity
- Certificate of inactivity confirming the company has not traded since formation
- Tax and Social Security certificates confirming no outstanding obligations
At BMC, all of these items are included in the quoted price. The price you see is the price you pay, plus VAT.
Hidden costs: what to watch for with other providers
Not all providers are equally transparent. The Spanish shelf company market includes providers who advertise low headline prices and then add charges that bring the total well above what a transparent provider would quote. Common extras to watch for:
Separate notary fees
Some providers quote the company price excluding notary fees, which can add three hundred to six hundred euros. At BMC, notary fees are included.
Registry filing charges
The Mercantile Registry charges fees for filing changes (new director, registered office, business purpose). Some providers pass these through as separate line items. These should be included in the price.
CNAE change fee
Changing the company’s economic activity code (CNAE) is a standard part of any shelf company purchase. Some providers charge fifty to one hundred and fifty euros for this. It should be included.
Beneficial ownership filing fee
Since February 2025, all Spanish companies must file a beneficial ownership declaration. Some providers charge one hundred to two hundred euros for this filing. It is a regulatory obligation that forms part of any competent transfer process and should be included.
”Due diligence” or “compliance” surcharges
Anti-money laundering checks are a legal obligation for the provider, not an optional extra. Providers who charge a separate “AML compliance fee” or “due diligence fee” are billing you for something they are legally required to do regardless.
Post-purchase charges
Some providers deliver the company and then charge separately for filing it with the AEAT census (Form 036/037), obtaining the digital certificate, or activating the company for VAT. These are basic operational steps that should either be included or clearly quoted upfront.
The share capital catch
The most important thing to verify: is the share capital included in the price? A company advertised at nine hundred euros is not cheaper than one advertised at one thousand four hundred euros if the first price does not include the three thousand euros of capital. Always confirm whether the share capital is already in the company or whether you need to deposit it separately.
Comparison with incorporating from scratch
To evaluate whether buying a shelf company is good value, you need to compare it with the alternative: incorporating a new SL from scratch.
Incorporation cost breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Name certificate (Central Mercantile Registry) | €15 to €20 |
| Notary fees (deed of incorporation) | €300 to €600 |
| Mercantile Registry inscription | €100 to €250 |
| Legal and advisory fees | €400 to €1,500 |
| Share capital deposit | €3,000 (remains in company) |
| Total out-of-pocket | €3,815 to €5,370 |
Of this total, three thousand euros stays inside the company as equity. The non-recoverable cost (fees, notary, advisory) ranges from approximately eight hundred to two thousand three hundred euros.
Shelf company cost breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard SL purchase (capital included) | From €1,395 + VAT |
| VAT (21%, deductible) | €293 |
| Total out-of-pocket | From €1,688 |
The three thousand euros of share capital is already inside the company. The entire €1,688 is the non-recoverable cost, though the VAT portion (€293) is recovered on the first quarterly return.
Net cost comparison
| Shelf Company | New Incorporation | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-recoverable fees | ~€1,395 | ~€800 to €2,300 |
| Share capital | Included (already in company) | €3,000 (deposited separately) |
| Total cash outlay | ~€1,688 | ~€3,815 to €5,370 |
| Time to operational company | 24 to 48 hours | 7 to 20 business days |
The shelf company requires less total cash upfront because you do not make a separate capital deposit — the capital is already there. The non-recoverable cost is in the same range as a mid-tier incorporation, but you save one to three weeks of time.
The real cost: time
The figures above tell only part of the story. The most significant cost is not captured in any invoice: the opportunity cost of not having an operational company.
Consider a consultant moving to Spain under the Beckham Law who has a client ready to sign a contract worth eight thousand euros per month. Every week without an operational Spanish company is two thousand euros of deferred revenue. Two weeks of waiting for incorporation means four thousand euros delayed — more than three times the difference in formation fees.
Or consider a real estate investor with a purchase agreement that requires completion through a Spanish SL by a specific date. Missing that date does not just delay the transaction; it may void the agreement entirely.
For businesses with immediate operational needs, the shelf company is not the expensive option. It is the only option that avoids a far larger hidden cost.
How to choose the right company
The selection depends on three factors:
Capital requirements. If your business, franchise agreement, or tender specification requires more than three thousand euros of capital, you need an increased-capital company. If three thousand euros is sufficient (as it is for most small and medium-sized businesses), the standard SL is the right choice.
Legal form. Unless you are in a regulated sector that requires an SA, or you are planning a future IPO, the SL is almost certainly the right legal form. More than 95% of Spanish companies are SLs.
Province. Shelf companies are registered with specific provincial Mercantile Registries. The registered office can be changed to any province in Spain after purchase, but if you need the company to be registered in a specific province from day one, confirm availability.
Browse our available shelf companies or contact us for current availability and pricing for your specific requirements.
What happens after you buy
The purchase price covers the acquisition and transfer of the company. After purchase, the company needs to be configured for trading:
- Tax census registration (Form 036/037) to declare the company’s activities, VAT regime, and withholding obligations
- Digital certificate for electronic dealings with the AEAT and Social Security
- Bank account configuration (some shelf companies come with an existing account; others require opening a new one)
- Accounting setup and first-period compliance
At BMC, these post-purchase steps are managed as part of our accounting and tax compliance service, ensuring continuity between the acquisition and the start of trading. The same team that handles the purchase configures the tax compliance, files the quarterly returns, and prepares the annual accounts. One provider, one point of contact, no gaps.
Summary
Buying a shelf company in Spain costs from one thousand three hundred and ninety-five euros plus VAT for a standard SL with three thousand euros of share capital. The price includes the company, notary, registry filings, and all certificates. Increased-capital companies and SAs cost more, reflecting the higher capital locked inside them.
Compared to incorporation from scratch, the total cash outlay is lower (because the capital is already deposited), and the time saving — measured in weeks, not days — translates into real economic value for any business with immediate operational needs.
The most expensive company is the one you do not have when you need it.
