Advisory for the financial sector in the age of digital transformation
We advise financial institutions, fintechs, investment funds and insurers in Spain on regulatory compliance, specialised taxation and corporate advisory in an environment of intense digital and regulatory transformation.
Source: cifex · Seguridad Social · INE DIRCE
Spain’s financial services sector encompasses more than 78,000 active companies and employs close to 397,000 workers registered with Social Security, positioning it as the sixth-largest sub-sector by share within the European market at 6.0% of the EU total. Its five-year survival rate of 50.3% reflects a highly competitive environment in which entities must combine robust risk management with rapid adaptation to a constantly evolving regulatory framework. Accelerated digitalisation — with the rise of fintechs, neobanks and crypto-asset providers — and continuous regulatory tightening, with rules such as MiCA, DORA and the new AMLD6 Directive, impose growing compliance burdens that make specialist advisory a strategic investment, not a cost.
At BMC we advise credit institutions, insurers, fund managers, investment service companies, fintechs and crypto-asset operators on all tax, legal and corporate aspects of their business. Our services include structuring and registering investment vehicles (FCR, SCR, SOCIMI, ELP), AML/PBC compliance (KYC, enhanced due diligence, internal policies, training), transfer pricing advisory for financial groups and tax planning for investments through financial instruments.
We accompany fintechs throughout their regulatory lifecycle: from identifying the applicable licensing framework through applying for and obtaining authorisation from Banco de España or the CNMV, to designing compliance manuals, KYC/AML procedures and managing supervisor relationships. The pressure on margins and the need to scale efficiently make tax planning from the outset — choice of legal form, shareholding structure, treatment of stock options — a decisive factor in the long-term viability of any fintech project.
We also advise on data protection in the financial sector (GDPR applied to credit scoring, customer profiling and international data transfers) and on structuring financial contracts and digital asset custody agreements. In a sector where half of all companies do not reach their fifth year of operation, having an adviser who integrates regulatory compliance, taxation and corporate strategy makes a real difference to an entity’s ability to operate securely and grow in a sustainable way.
Related Services for this Sector
Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
AML/CFT compliance programme for entities subject to Spain's Law 10/2010: policies, procedures, training, and SEPBLAC liaison.
Tax Planning
Legal and efficient tax strategies to reduce your company's tax burden and protect your personal wealth.
Corporate Finance
Strategic financial structuring to fuel your company's growth and competitiveness.
Data Protection & Privacy
GDPR and LOPDGDD compliance, outsourced DPO, and comprehensive privacy management for businesses.
Due Diligence
Exhaustive risk and opportunity analysis for informed, confident investment decisions.
International Tax
Tax advisory for cross-border operations, international expansion, and multi-jurisdictional compliance.
Key Sector Terms
Accelerated Depreciation in Spain (Amortización Fiscal Acelerada)
Accelerated depreciation (amortización fiscal acelerada) in Spain allows companies to deduct a higher proportion of an asset's cost in the early years of its useful life for Corporate Tax purposes, reducing taxable income sooner than straight-line accounting depreciation would permit. Spain offers both statutory accelerated tables and specific regimes for SMEs, newly hired personnel, and R&D assets.
EU AI Act
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation EU 2024/1689) is the world's first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence. It classifies AI systems by risk level, imposes obligations on developers, deployers, and importers, and establishes penalties of up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover for the most serious violations. It entered into force in August 2024 with phased compliance deadlines through 2027.
Arbitration and Mediation in Spain
Spain has a well-developed framework for alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Arbitration is governed by Ley 60/2003 de Arbitraje (based on the UNCITRAL Model Law) and provides a binding, private process with enforceable awards. Mediation in civil and commercial matters is regulated by Ley 5/2012. Spain is a signatory to the New York Convention (1958), enabling international enforcement of Spanish arbitral awards in 170+ countries.
Balance Sheet in Spain
The balance sheet (balance de situación) is a statutory financial statement that presents a company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time. In Spain, it is a mandatory component of the annual accounts (cuentas anuales) prepared under the Plan General Contable (Spanish GAAP) and filed at the Commercial Registry.
Board of Directors in Spain
The board of directors (Consejo de Administración) is the collective management body of a Spanish capital company, responsible for the day-to-day management and strategic direction of the business. It operates under the Ley de Sociedades de Capital and owes fiduciary duties of loyalty and diligence to the company and its shareholders.
Branch vs Subsidiary in Spain
Foreign companies entering the Spanish market must choose between establishing a branch (sucursal) — an extension of the foreign company with no separate legal personality — or incorporating a subsidiary (typically a Sociedad Limitada or S.L.) — an independent Spanish legal entity. The choice affects taxation, legal liability, administrative requirements, and exit flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
Request a personalized consultation
Our experts are ready to analyze your situation and provide tailored solutions.