Why Start a Marketing or Advertising Business in Spain?
Spain’s dynamic market, global connectivity, and thriving digital ecosystem make it ideal for launching an advertising agency, branding studio, or digital marketing firm. Whether your focus is SEO, paid media, influencer marketing, or traditional advertising — Spain offers:
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A large domestic and EU-wide client base
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Skilled, multilingual talent
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Affordable startup and operating costs
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A favorable business structure for foreign founders
🎯 Barcelona and Madrid are top hubs for agencies and creative startups.
🏢 Legal Steps to Open a Marketing Company in Spain
1️⃣ Choose a Legal Entity
Most foreign entrepreneurs choose:
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SL (Sociedad Limitada) – Limited liability company
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Other options: Freelancer (Autónomo) or Branch office
📌 SL offers limited liability, tax efficiency, and easier hiring.
2️⃣ Register the Company
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Reserve a company name at the Mercantile Registry
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Draft and notarize the company’s Deed of Incorporation
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Obtain a Tax ID (NIF) and register with the AEAT (Spanish Tax Agency)
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Open a Spanish business bank account
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Register for Social Security (if hiring)
⚖️ Legal assistance ensures your company setup meets Commercial Code standards.
📋 Licenses and Sector Requirements
Most marketing and advertising firms do not require specific licenses, but compliance includes:
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Registering the economic activity code (CNAE: 7311 or 7021)
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Following data protection rules (especially for digital marketing)
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Meeting consumer advertising laws — no false claims, transparency required
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Complying with GDPR if handling user data
📌 Influencer and ad campaigns targeting minors have added regulations.
📊 Taxes and Accounting for Marketing Businesses
As a company or freelancer, you’ll be responsible for:
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Corporate Income Tax (25%) or Personal Income Tax (if Autónomo)
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Quarterly VAT filings (standard rate: 21%)
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Annual reporting of accounts and financial statements
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Payroll taxes and Social Security (if hiring staff)
📒 Proper bookkeeping is essential for audits and tax deductions (e.g. software, travel, web hosting).
💼 Hiring and Outsourcing
Spain has a strong pool of marketing professionals in:
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Graphic design
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SEO & PPC
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Social media management
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Copywriting and video production
You can hire via employment contracts or freelance service agreements.
⚠️ All workers must be properly registered — penalties apply for undeclared services.
🌐 Cross-Border Campaigns and EU Clients
Your Spanish company can serve clients across the EU with:
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EU VAT compliance
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Multi-language campaign capabilities
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Cross-border ad platforms (Google Ads, Meta, TikTok, etc.)
We support with contract drafting, intellectual property protection, and invoicing EU clients.
🧑💼 Our Legal Services
At Borderless Lawyers, we help marketing founders:
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✅ Set up an SL or freelance structure in Spain
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✅ Draft agency-client contracts (in Spanish and English)
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✅ Comply with GDPR and advertising standards
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✅ Register for taxes and EORI (for goods-based marketing)
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✅ Protect digital IP and trademarks
💬 Example: International Ad Agency
Case: A Dubai-based agency launched its Spanish SL to serve EU tech clients. We assisted with full incorporation, tax registration, data protection policies, and client contract templates in Spanish law format.
🚀 Launch Your Creative Business in Spain with Confidence
Opening an ad or marketing company in Spain is a smart step toward EU expansion. Let Borderless Lawyers take care of the legal setup, so you can focus on building impactful campaigns.