How much does it cost to create an SL

The first question almost everyone asks before starting a company is how much it will cost. The honest answer: it depends on whether you do it yourself or delegate it, but the official fees are public and known. This is the real breakdown for 2026.

Cost breakdown for incorporation

• Company name certificate: about €17 (Central Mercantile Registry).
• Notary (incorporation deed): €150-300 for a standard incorporation. Can drop to about €60 with online incorporation, no legal entities among shareholders and standard articles.
• Mercantile Registry: €150-300 depending on the province and complexity.
• BORME publication: €60-100.
• Gestoría / advisor (optional but recommended): €300-800 for handling the whole process.

In total, a standard incorporation costs between €600 and €1,200 with professional help, or the cost of the official fees alone (about €400-500) if you do it yourself. On top of that comes the share capital you decide to contribute (minimum €1 since the Crea y Crece law) — which stays in the company anyway.

Share capital: €1 or €3,000

Since 2022 you can incorporate your SL with €1 of capital. But read the fine print: with capital below €3,000 you must allocate at least 20% of annual profit to the legal reserve until capital plus reserve reach €3,000, and on liquidation shareholders are liable for the shortfall. A €1 capital also signals weak solvency to banks and suppliers. Many companies still choose the classic €3,000 for image and simplicity.

Annual running costs (what nobody tells you upfront)

Creating the SL is only the beginning. Keeping it active costs every year:

• Accounting and tax advisory: €1,500-4,000/year depending on company size.
• Filing annual accounts with the Mercantile Registry: €100-300.
• Recurring taxes: quarterly VAT, Corporate Tax prepayments, withholdings.
• Social Security for the director and employees.

Altogether, running an SL typically costs €2,000 to €5,000 a year in administrative overhead. That is the threshold your business must clear for the SL to make sense versus staying self-employed (autónomo).

How to save without getting it wrong

The online route (CIRCE/PAE network) with standard articles cuts notary costs and timelines. What you should not skimp on: well-drafted articles if there are several shareholders, and an advisor who registers everything correctly from day one. A botched setup costs more than the advisor.

Informational content updated October 2026. Figures are indicative and may vary by province and specific case.