Spain S.A. vs S.L.
Legal Entity Comparison
Time of Update: 2026-03-31
S.A. is a legal entity in Spain, which stands for Sociedad Anónima, meaning "public limited company." It is a type of company with a combined ownership structure, and shareholders have limited liability. S.A. can participate in the market publicly, with a requirement of at least one shareholder and at least one director. Unlike companies in other countries, foreign individuals can serve as directors for S.A. in Spain, without the need for local designation. Additionally, S.A. does not require the appointment of a company secretary. The minimum registered capital for registering S.A. is 60,000 euros, and capital verification is required. S.A. is one of the most common types of companies in Spain and is suitable for enterprises of various sizes.
Spain Legal Entity Comparison
Spain Legal Entity Comparison
Basic Information
S.A.
S.L.
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Positive
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Shareholder / Director / Secretary Requirements
S.A.
S.L.
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Directors ::
At least one
Requirements For Directors ::
1. At least one;
2. In principle, there is no need for a local person to serve as a director in order to register a company.
3. If actual operation is required (such as recruiting employees), then a local resident is needed to serve as a director. If there is no local resident serving as a director, you can use the nominee director service provided by PCCW Global. For details, please refer to the "Nominee Director Quote System".
2. In principle, there is no need for a local person to serve as a director in order to register a company.
3. If actual operation is required (such as recruiting employees), then a local resident is needed to serve as a director. If there is no local resident serving as a director, you can use the nominee director service provided by PCCW Global. For details, please refer to the "Nominee Director Quote System".
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Negative
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
See Memo
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Registered Capital Requirement
S.A.
S.L.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
60,000 euros
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. Starting from 3000 euros
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Requirement:
N/A
Capital Injection Requirement:
1. Before the company is established, 100% of the registered capital needs to be actually paid.
Memo
S.A.
S.L.
Memo:
N/A
Memo:
N/A
ES
Spain
CI - Company Incorporation
Spain S.L. Company Incorporation
From EUR 4,475.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
ES - Spain
Learn More
ES
Spain
CI - Company Incorporation
Spain SL Company Incorporation (Natural Person Shareholders Only)
From EUR 1,450.00 / Company
Product Valid: Negative
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
ES - Spain
Learn More
