Open a Rental and Leasing Company in Spain: Full Legal & Licensing Guide

Why Start a Rental & Leasing Business in Spain?

Spain’s tourism, construction, and logistics industries drive high demand for:

• Vehicle rentals (cars, vans, scooters)

• Equipment leasing (tools, construction gear)

• Property rentals (short-term and long-term)

A rental and leasing business can target:

• Tourists and expats

• SMEs and contractors

• Real estate investors

🌍 Foreign nationals can own 100% of the company.

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🏢 Types of Rental and Leasing Companies

✅ Each type may require different licenses or registrations.

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🧾 Legal Steps to Open Your Rental Business in Spain

1️⃣ Choose a Legal Structure

Most foreign entrepreneurs choose:

• Sociedad Limitada (SL): Limited liability company

  • Min. capital: €3,000

  • Fast registration and tax efficiency

2️⃣ Register the Company

• Certify company name with Registro Mercantil Central

• Draft and notarize incorporation deed

• Obtain NIF (tax number)

• Register with Registro Mercantil (Commercial Registry)

📌 Remote registration available via Power of Attorney.

3️⃣ Obtain Sector-Specific Authorizations

Depending on your rental focus:

• Car rental: Must register fleet with DGT (Traffic Authority)

• Tourism property rental: Register with Autonomous Community’s tourism department

• Heavy equipment leasing: May require civil liability insurance and technical inspection certification

⚖️ Ensure contract templates comply with Spanish Civil Code and consumer protection laws.

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📜 Operating Contracts & Liability

Rental companies must:

• Draft clear terms and conditions

• Include clauses for damages, cancellations, deposits, and late returns

• Insure rental items for liability, theft, or breakdown

📌 Clients should sign bilingual contracts if targeting non-Spanish speakers.

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💶 Tax & Accounting Requirements

• Register for VAT (IVA)

  • Most rentals charged at 21%

• Corporate income tax: 25%

• Annual accounting and submission of:

  • Financial statements

  • Model 200 (corporate tax)

  • Quarterly VAT and income tax withholdings

💼 Use a bilingual accountant for monthly filings.

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👷 Hiring Staff

If employing personnel:

• Register company and employees with Seguridad Social

• Draft contracts under the Workers’ Statute

• Respect working hour laws and provide proper insurance

📌 Staff handling machinery or vehicles may require special training.

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📍 Office and Location Considerations

• Car/equipment rentals: Require a storage facility or lot

• Vacation rental companies: Need a legal address for client meetings

• Leasing companies: Often operate fully online with back-office only

✅ Ensure business premises comply with local zoning and health/safety rules.

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🌍 Real Example: Foreign-Owned Equipment Leasing Company in Valencia

Client: A Dutch entrepreneur wanted to lease forklifts and lifting platforms.
We:

• Registered an SL company with tax and trade codes

• Drafted Spanish/English leasing contracts

• Secured equipment insurance and inspection certifications

• Managed VAT and accounting setup

✅ Business was operating within 5 weeks.

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💰 Startup Costs Overview

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✅ Yoast SEO Checklist

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🚀 Start Your Rental or Leasing Company with Borderless Lawyers

Whether you’re starting a vehicle hire firm or an equipment leasing operation, Borderless Lawyers handles:

• Company formation

• Licensing and registration

• Rental contract drafting

• Tax setup and ongoing legal compliance