100 business ideas to start in Spain: Complete Checklist And Startup Costs
Spain is open for business. More than 85 million tourists visited in 2023, renewables generated over half of Spain’s electricity, and the new Startup Law offers a 15% corporate tax rate for eligible startups in their early profitable years. I’ve built companies in e‑commerce, F&B, and real estate. I’ve bootstrapped, failed fast, and scaled. If I were starting today in Spain, here’s the exact checklist I’d follow and 100 practical business ideas with lean startup costs.
If you want tailored guidance for your situation, book a consultation with me and I’ll help you map the fastest, safest path.
Complete checklist to start a business in Spain
– Choose your legal form: autónomo (self-employed) or SL (limited company).
– Get your NIE/NIF and digital certificate.
– Open a Spanish bank account and deposit share capital if forming an SL. Minimum share capital for an SL can be as low as €1, though many banks prefer €3,000 for practicality.
– Certify company name (for SL), draft bylaws, sign before a notary, and register with the Mercantile Registry.
– Register with the Tax Agency (AEAT) for IAE/IAE exemption and IVA (VAT) if applicable.
– Register with Social Security: RETA for autónomos; as employer for SL with staff.
– Obtain municipal opening license if you have a physical location. Sector licenses may apply for food, health, education, nightlife, or short‑term rentals.
– Comply with data protection (AEPD), consumer law, and e‑commerce obligations if selling online.
– Set up accounting, invoicing software, and hire a gestoría (your accountant/administrator).
– Insurance: liability, contents, professional indemnity as needed.
Typical costs:
– Autónomo setup: €0–€200 (gestor). Monthly Social Security: from €80 flat rate for first 12 months in most regions, then income‑based approx €230–€500+.
– SL incorporation: notary and registry €200–€600, gestor €300–€800, bank fees vary. Accounting monthly €80–€200.
– Licenses: €300–€2,000 depending on city and activity.
– VAT (IVA): standard 21% (reduced 10% and 4%). Canary Islands use IGIC, not IVA.
– Employer costs: add roughly 30% on top of gross salaries for social contributions.
Startup costs in Spain: what to budget
– One‑off setup: €200–€1,500 depending on structure and licenses.
– Working capital: 3–6 months of rent, marketing, payroll if you hire.
– Monthly fixeds: office/shop rent, gestoría, software (€20–€100), utilities, insurance (€200–€600/yr).
– Taxes: corporate tax 25% standard, 15% for eligible startups during the first profitable years under the Startup Law. VAT filings quarterly. Personal income tax for autónomos based on net profits.
100 business ideas in Spain with lean startup cost ranges
Tourism and hospitality
1) Boutique walking tours — €500–€2,000
2) Tapas and market tastings — €800–€3,000
3) Bicycle or e‑bike tours — €3,000–€12,000
4) Wine country day trips — €1,500–€6,000
5) Surf school (north coast) — €3,000–€10,000
6) Sailing experiences — €6,000–€25,000
7) Camino de Santiago logistics — €1,000–€5,000
8) Flamenco nights and cultural shows — €2,000–€8,000
9) Rural guesthouse consultancy — €500–€2,000
10) Luxury concierge for visitors — €1,000–€4,000
Food and beverage
11) Ghost kitchen for empanadas or ramen — €5,000–€20,000
12) Specialty coffee cart — €4,000–€12,000
13) Artisanal ice cream window — €6,000–€18,000
14) Vegan bakery — €8,000–€25,000
15) Paella at-home chef service — €800–€3,000
16) Olive oil tasting bar — €5,000–€15,000
17) Food truck for festivals — €15,000–€45,000
18) Meal prep for busy professionals — €1,500–€6,000
19) Local product subscription boxes — €1,000–€4,000
20) Fermentation workshop studio — €2,000–€7,000
Real estate and property services
21) Short‑term rental operations (where licensed) — €2,000–€8,000
22) Property staging and photography — €1,000–€5,000
23) Co‑living manager — €3,000–€12,000
24) Relocation and settling‑in services — €1,000–€4,000
25) Student housing manager — €2,000–€8,000
26) Vacation rental channel management — €1,000–€3,000
27) Tenant‑ready renovation brokerage — €2,000–€6,000
28) Energy efficiency audits — €1,500–€5,000
29) License compliance consultant — €1,000–€3,000
30) Luxury home concierge — €2,000–€6,000
Online and e‑commerce
31) Niche dropshipping in Spanish — €500–€2,500
32) Print‑on‑demand for local themes — €500–€2,000
33) Amazon.es private label — €3,000–€10,000
34) Shopify store for Spanish ceramics — €1,000–€4,000
35) Local marketplace aggregator — €2,000–€6,000
36) SEO and content agency — €1,000–€3,000
37) Conversion rate optimization consultancy — €1,000–€4,000
38) WhatsApp commerce for artisans — €500–€2,000
39) Cross‑border EU fulfillment partner — €3,000–€12,000
40) Subscription education platform — €2,000–€8,000
Tech and AI
41) AI chatbot for hotels in Spanish — €2,000–€8,000
42) No‑code app studio — €1,000–€4,000
43) Data analytics for SMEs — €2,000–€6,000
44) Computer vision for retail theft reduction — €3,000–€12,000
45) AI resume screening for HR — €2,000–€8,000
46) Localized LLM fine‑tuning services — €2,000–€10,000
47) Property price prediction tools — €2,000–€8,000
48) Tourism dynamic pricing — €2,000–€6,000
49) AI voiceovers in Spanish — €1,000–€3,000
50) SaaS for license and compliance tracking — €3,000–€12,000
Health, fitness, and wellness
51) Mobile physio and massage — €1,000–€3,000
52) Outdoor bootcamps — €500–€2,000
53) Pilates micro‑studio — €6,000–€20,000
54) Wellness retreats in Andalucia — €3,000–€10,000
55) Healthy vending — €4,000–€12,000
56) Nutrition coaching online — €500–€2,000
57) Sports tourism planner — €1,000–€3,000
58) Cold‑plunge and sauna studio — €10,000–€35,000
59) Corporate wellness programs — €1,000–€4,000
60) Surf‑fit and mobility classes — €800–€3,000
Education and coaching
61) Spanish + surf camps — €2,000–€8,000
62) Coding bootcamps weekend format — €2,000–€7,000
63) IELTS/DELE prep — €500–€2,000
64) Children’s STEM workshops — €1,000–€4,000
65) Entrepreneurship coaching — €500–€2,000
66) University admissions advisory — €1,000–€3,000
67) Corporate language training — €1,000–€4,000
68) Culinary classes — €1,500–€5,000
69) Photography masterclasses — €800–€3,000
70) Compliance training for SMEs — €1,500–€4,000
Green, rural, and energy
71) Solar installation brokerage — €2,000–€8,000
72) EV charger installations — €3,000–€12,000
73) Olive grove experiences — €1,500–€6,000
74) Rural glamping pods — €10,000–€40,000
75) Urban compost collection — €2,000–€6,000
76) Rainwater harvesting kits — €2,000–€8,000
77) Eco‑tour certifications consulting — €1,000–€3,000
78) Farm‑to‑table logistics — €3,000–€10,000
79) Energy subsidy advisory — €1,000–€4,000
80) Organic skincare line — €3,000–€12,000
Services for expats and SMEs
81) Digital nomad visa assistance — €1,000–€3,000
82) Tax and gestoría services for freelancers — €1,000–€4,000
83) Business bank account concierge — €500–€2,000
84) HR and payroll outsourcing — €2,000–€8,000
85) Import–export micro‑broker — €1,500–€6,000
86) Logistics for Canary Islands — €2,000–€7,000
87) IT support for shops — €1,000–€3,000
88) POS and payments integration — €1,000–€4,000
89) Office setup and sourcing — €1,000–€5,000
90) Trade fair representation — €1,000–€4,000
Creative and media
91) Real estate videography — €2,000–€6,000
92) UGC for Spanish brands — €500–€2,000
93) Drone filming (licensed) — €2,000–€8,000
94) Podcast studio — €3,000–€10,000
95) Local newsletter monetized by ads — €500–€2,000
96) TikTok agency for restaurants — €1,000–€3,000
97) Brand design studio — €1,000–€4,000
98) Event production — €2,000–€8,000
99) Translation and localization — €500–€2,000
100) Licensing Spanish art prints — €500–€2,000
Note: Some activities need specific licenses or sector approvals that can raise costs.
How I validate fast in Spain
I learned speed the hard way. In 2011 I ordered 100 necklaces by mistake and turned it into thousands of sales. In 2017 I created a Japanese cheesecake brand, Uncle Fluffy, from scratch and tested it in a mall before expanding. My rule: sell small, prove demand, standardize, then invest.
In Spain, I’d run pop‑ups, pre‑sell online, or partner with an existing venue for a revenue share before signing a lease. If you want tailored guidance on validation and licensing in your city, book a consultation with me.
Autónomo vs SL: what I pick and why
– Start as autónomo when:
– You’re testing a service or online idea.
– Revenue is uncertain.
– You want low overhead and simple accounting.
– Setup cost: €0–€200. First‑year Social Security often €80/month, then income‑based.
– Switch or start as SL when:
– You’ll hire staff, raise investment, or sign larger contracts.
– You need liability protection and better procurement credibility.
– Setup cost: €200–€600 plus gestor fees. Corporate tax 25% standard; startups that qualify can benefit from 15% in early profitable years.
FAQs
What are the legal steps to register as an autónomo in Spain in 2025?
Get your NIE, digital certificate, register with Social Security (RETA), register with the Tax Agency (AEAT) for your activity and IVA if needed, and start invoicing. A gestor can do this in a day.
How much does it cost to incorporate an SL company in Spain in 2025?
Expect €200–€600 for notary and registry, €300–€800 for a gestor, plus initial bank deposit. You can legally start with €1 share capital, though many founders use €3,000 for banking and optics.
What taxes do small businesses pay in Spain in the first year?
Autónomos pay income tax on profits and quarterly VAT if applicable. SLs pay corporate tax at 25% standard, with eligible startups at 15% during the first profitable years under the Startup Law. Both file VAT quarterly and annual returns.
How much are monthly Social Security contributions for autónomos in Spain in 2025?
New autónomos can often access an €80 flat rate for the first 12 months. After that, contributions are income‑based and commonly range from about €230 to €500+ per month.
Do I need a tourist license to run a short‑term rental in Barcelona or Madrid in 2025?
Yes, and rules are strict. Many buildings or zones are restricted or capped. Always verify the local ordinance and building bylaws before purchasing or listing.
What is the standard VAT (IVA) rate in Spain in 2025?
21% standard, with reduced rates of 10% and 4% for specific goods and services. The Canary Islands use IGIC instead of IVA.
Can non‑EU citizens start a business in Spain with the digital nomad visa?
Yes, the digital nomad visa introduced in 2023 supports remote work and certain entrepreneurial activities when you meet income and eligibility rules. Confirm specifics for your case before applying.
How long does it take to open a business bank account in Spain?
Anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the bank, your documentation, and KYC checks. Prepare a clear business plan and proof of activity to speed this up.
Let’s build your Spain plan
Spain rewards lean builders who move fast and stay compliant. Pick one idea, validate in two weeks, and scale only what works. If you want me to review your idea, map your licensing, and build a numbers‑first launch plan, book a consultation and we’ll get it done.
My story in one paragraph: I’m Alaa Mohra. I landed in Dubai in 2005 after leaving Gaza, earned an engineering degree and a master’s in project management, accidentally launched my first e‑commerce business in 2011, created the Uncle Fluffy brand in 2017, and built a multimillion‑dirham real estate track record across 15 properties. I turned hard lessons, including painful stock market losses, into disciplined growth. That same practical, proof‑based playbook is what I’ll use to help you launch the right business in Spain.