Why Open an Online Store in Spain?
Spain is one of Europe’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets, making it an attractive destination for digital entrepreneurs and online retailers.
✅ Key benefits:
-
Access to 47+ million local consumers
-
Member of the EU Digital Single Market
-
Affordable logistics and warehousing
-
Fast-growing mobile shopping trends
💡 Spain supports both domestic and international online businesses—from dropshipping and print-on-demand to niche product stores.
🧾 Step-by-Step Guide to Opening an Online Shop in Spain
1️⃣ Choose Your Business Structure
-
SL (Sociedad Limitada): Most common for online stores. Limited liability, allows for future scaling.
-
Autónomo (Freelancer): Ideal for solo sellers or testing a business idea.
📌 Foreigners can open a Spanish company remotely with a NIE and power of attorney.
2️⃣ Register for Tax & Trade Activity
To legally operate your online business, you must:
-
Obtain a NIE (Foreigner ID)
-
Register your business with Agencia Tributaria (Tax Office)
-
Get a CNAE Code relevant to e-commerce activity
-
Apply for NIF (company tax ID)
-
Register for VAT (IVA)
💼 We assist in choosing the correct classification and registering your store with Spanish tax authorities.
3️⃣ Build and Launch Your Website
✔️ Your e-commerce website must comply with:
-
Cookies & GDPR regulations
-
LSSI-CE law (Spanish e-commerce law)
-
Display of company details, shipping terms, returns, and legal notices
💡 Required pages:
-
Legal Notice (Aviso Legal)
-
Privacy Policy
-
Cookie Consent
-
Terms & Conditions
🛠️ Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and PrestaShop are popular in Spain.
4️⃣ Payment Gateways & Invoicing
Set up secure, EU-compliant payment systems such as:
-
Stripe, PayPal, Redsys, Bizum (local app)
-
E-invoicing with legal digital signature (if required)
📊 All sales must be tracked and reported for VAT purposes. We help integrate automated invoicing tools.
5️⃣ Logistics, Returns, and Customer Rights
Spain’s e-commerce law gives consumers:
-
14-day cooling-off period
-
Right to clear return/refund terms
-
Transparent delivery timelines
📦 You can fulfill orders:
-
Locally (Spain or EU warehouse)
-
From abroad (with EORI if importing goods)
💶 Estimated Startup Costs for Online Shop
| Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Legal Setup (SL or Autónomo) | €1,000 – €2,000 |
| Tax & VAT Registration | Included |
| Website Development | €500 – €3,000+ |
| Payment & Accounting Software | €30 – €100/month |
| Marketing & SEO (optional) | Flexible |
👩💻 Real Example: French Expats Launch Eco Product Store
Case: A French couple living in Valencia launched an eco-products e-commerce store. We:
-
Registered their SL
-
Integrated Stripe & EU VAT system
-
Drafted all GDPR and LSSI legal pages
-
Set up fulfillment via Spanish warehouse
Within 6 months, they were shipping across the EU.
⚖️ E-Commerce Laws to Consider
-
GDPR: Mandatory for handling customer data
-
LSSI-CE: Spanish e-commerce compliance law
-
IVA (VAT): 21% standard rate for most goods
-
EORI: Needed if importing from outside the EU
-
Platform rules: If selling via Amazon, Etsy, etc.
🚀 Start Your Online Shop in Spain with Legal Confidence
Whether you’re dropshipping, selling handmade items, or launching a full e-commerce brand, Borderless Lawyers can:
-
✅ Register your company
-
✅ Draft legal website terms
-
✅ Set up VAT, EORI, accounting
-
✅ Advise on Spanish & EU consumer law