VIP Consulting Group
Start your business in Spain with a clear, executable roadmap
Entering the Spanish market takes much more than incorporating a company. The revenue model, the city, the legal structure, the source of capital, the premises, the licences, the staff, the tax setup and the commercial plan must all be connected. VIP Consulting Group coordinates these steps from Barcelona and works on projects in different cities across Spain.
Who is this service for?
- People living in Spain who want to start an activity.
- Investors resident outside Spain who want to enter the Spanish market.
- Companies and brands that want to open a subsidiary, branch or point of sale.
- Businesses that want to open a second unit, enter another city or franchise their model.
- Entrepreneurs who need to align the business project with their residence situation.
Incorporating a company is only part of the process
A company can be incorporated and still not be ready to operate. It needs an economic model, a bank account, proper contracts, a licence, an accounting system, a budget and a commercial plan. The choice between sole trader and company, the split of shares, the management body, the capital, the signing powers and the shareholder agreements must match the reality of the project.
Key decisions before you start
City and area
Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga and other cities differ in rent, customers, staff, competition and local rules. The decision must be based on the target audience, accessibility, footfall, tourism, purchasing power and operating costs.
Entry model
Building a new brand, buying a business, acquiring a franchise, opening a subsidiary or branch, partnering with a local operator or buying shares each carry different levels of risk, control, investment and timing.
Financial plan and working capital
The budget must cover the initial investment, pre-opening costs and cash needs for the first months. It is advisable to work with several scenarios and to know the break-even point, the team’s capacity and the impact of rent.
Premises and licences
Before signing the lease, check activity compatibility, the technical status, building limitations, the works needed and the licence procedure. A cheap but unsuitable premises can create more cost and delay than savings.
Tax and accounting
Registrations, invoicing, VAT, corporate income tax or personal income tax, payroll and periodic filings must be organised from the start with a tax adviser. Contributions, shareholder loans and movements between personal and business accounts must be properly documented.
Team and operations
Before hiring, define the applicable collective agreement, the type of contract, working hours, the total cost to the company, risk prevention, insurance and data protection. In many service businesses, hiring and operational control matter more than an expensive fit-out.
Roadmap
- Kick-off session: objectives, budget, experience, city and timeline.
- Preliminary analysis of market, competition, customer and pricing.
- Choice of entry model and legal structure.
- Financial plan and determination of the real investment.
- Set up the structure and coordinate banking and source of funds.
- Search and assess the premises or commercial opportunity.
- Review the lease, technical feasibility and licences.
- Coordinate project, works, equipment, suppliers and insurance.
- Hiring, contracts, accounting and operational preparation.
- Opening, marketing, sales and monitoring of the first months.
VIP Consulting Group services
- Design of the Spanish market-entry strategy.
- Selection of city, area and business model.
- Coordination of incorporation and corporate documentation.
- Search for businesses, franchises or commercial premises.
- Initial feasibility analysis and capital needs.
- Coordination with lawyers, tax advisers, accountants, engineers and technicians.
- Negotiation and coordination of the main contracts.
- Operational support up to opening.
- Planning of new units, sale or franchising of an existing business.
The role of specialist professionals
Each project needs a different mix of specialists. The lawyer reviews the contract structure, partner liability, the lease, the asset or share purchase and the legal risks. The tax adviser and accountant review the economic impact and the obligations. The technician assesses the feasibility of the premises and the licence procedure. VIP Consulting Group coordinates these areas within a single roadmap.
For clients living outside Spain
The project may require NIE or NIF, representation, a bank account, transfer and proof of source of funds, signing of documents, presence of the director and analysis of residence or work authorisation. Buying a company or investing does not by itself guarantee residence or a work permit; the immigration route must be assessed separately based on the applicant’s real situation.
Expanding an existing business
Growth does not only mean opening more locations. Before expanding, the current business must prove profitability, the ability to replicate and less dependence on the owner’s daily presence. Then processes, brand, supply, training, quality control, software and metrics are standardised.
- Analysis of profitability and growth capacity of the current unit.
- Choice between owned units, operating partners or franchise.
- Standardisation of operations, training and quality control.
- Protection of brand, contracts and know-how.
- Selection of the next city and location based on data.
- Expansion budget and group cash-flow control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not in every case. The activity, the partners, liability, tax, growth plans and the residence situation determine whether it is better to act as a sole trader or through a company.
The order depends on the project. Before firmly committing to premises, the activity and licence usually need to be verified, while defining who the signing party will be.
Not automatically. Residence and work authorisation depend on the applicable legal route and the applicant’s documentation. The business project can be part of some routes, but it does not replace their requirements.
Yes. Our activity is coordinated from Barcelona and we work in other cities with local professionals when the project requires it.
The best time is before paying a deposit, signing a lease, buying a company or committing to a franchise. If the project has already started, we can also review its status and the next steps.
Before you commit, review the project with us.
Send us the opportunity and we coordinate the legal, financial, tax and operational review.