What Is a Cooperative in Spain?
A cooperative (cooperativa) is a legal business structure based on democratic management and shared ownership among members. Unlike other business forms, cooperatives prioritize mutual benefit over profit maximization.
👥 Key Traits:
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Each member has one vote, regardless of capital contribution
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Profits are shared among members or reinvested
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Can be formed in almost any industry: agriculture, education, retail, health, energy, and more
🧾 Types of Cooperatives in Spain
Spain recognizes several types of cooperatives under national and regional laws:
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Worker Cooperatives (Cooperativas de Trabajo Asociado)
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Consumer Cooperatives
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Service Cooperatives
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Agricultural Cooperatives
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Credit Cooperatives
📋 Requirements to Set Up a Cooperative in Spain
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Members | Usually 3 individuals |
| Capital | No fixed legal minimum |
| Registered Office | Must be based in Spain |
| Company Bylaws | Required for governance and operations |
| Governing Bodies | General Assembly + Governing Council |
| Fiscal Number (NIF) | Issued by the Spanish Tax Agency |
| Registration | Mandatory in the regional Cooperatives Registry |
🏛️ Legal Steps to Register a Cooperative
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📄 Draft the Statutes (Bylaws)
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🆔 Reserve the cooperative’s name
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🔐 Get a digital certificate
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🧾 Obtain a provisional NIF
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✍️ Sign the public deed before a notary
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🗂 Register with the Cooperatives Registry
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📑 Finalize NIF and tax setup
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🧾 Register with Social Security
💼 Taxation of Cooperatives
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Corporate Tax: Reduced to 20% for protected cooperatives
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VAT: Applies normally depending on activity
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Other Relief: Exemptions on some local and administrative taxes
📊 Compliance Duties
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File annual accounts and reports
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Hold member assemblies
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Maintain cooperative status through proper operations
🌍 Can Foreigners Create a Cooperative in Spain?
Yes — both EU and non-EU residents can legally form and operate cooperatives in Spain. You’ll need a valid NIE, and in some cases, a residence permit.
🛠️ How Borderless Lawyers Can Help
👨⚖️ Our services include:
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Drafting your cooperative’s legal documents
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Managing registration and tax compliance
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Ongoing legal and accounting support
💬 Real-World Example
Case: A group of translators from Argentina, France, and Spain formed a remote-first cooperative to offer multilingual services across Europe. We handled their complete legal setup, cooperative protection status, and tax optimization.
✅ Summary
Cooperatives in Spain are ideal for founders prioritizing democratic governance and shared benefit. With professional legal guidance, your cooperative can access tax benefits and grow under a secure, compliant structure.
🚀 Ready to Set Up Your Cooperative in Spain?
Let Borderless Lawyers take care of every legal, tax, and compliance detail — so you can focus on building a purpose-driven business.