Branch & Subsidiary Management in Spain
Struggling to manage your branch office in Spain without local know-how?
Different laws, new obligations, and a foreign administrative culture can turn routine operations into risky guesswork. For international companies, keeping control from abroad is hard enough—especially when internal teams lack local knowledge, and legal complexity gets in the way of business as usual.
That’s where GCO steps in.
We take care of your subsidiary or branch’s operational, legal, tax, HR, and corporate obligations—so your team stays focused on growth, not red tape.
Here’s what we handle for you:
- Filing annual accounts and corporate books
- Managing VAT, corporate tax, payroll, and related submissions
- Monitoring legal changes and ensuring ongoing compliance
- Coordinating with tax, labour, and mercantile authorities
- Acting as legal representative and preparing board resolutions
Subsidiary Management in Spain
One compliance slip can jeopardise your entire operation
Managing a subsidiary from abroad comes with more than language and timezone barriers—it exposes your business to financial penalties, legal disputes, and reputational harm.
- Missed a tax filing? Expect interest, fines, and potential audits.
- Failed to update company records? You could lose access to banking or contracts.
- Not aligned with local labour laws? One inspection can lead to sanctions—or even court.
- Disconnected from HQ reporting standards? Risk misstatements and operational friction.
And it’s not just about what goes wrong—it’s about what gets held up.
Blocked payments, late VAT refunds, frozen bank accounts, and contract delays are all common outcomes of poor local management.
Navigating Spain’s legal and administrative system without deep local expertise isn’t just inefficient—it’s a liability.
Subsidiary and Branch Management Services
Ongoing corporate, tax and legal obligations
Managing a Spanish branch or subsidiary means constant regulatory upkeep. GCO takes full charge of your entity’s legal and tax duties—so nothing is missed, and you stay audit-ready at all times.
- Submission of annual accounts and corporate books to the Mercantile Registry
- Preparation and filing of VAT, corporate tax, and withholding declarations
- Maintenance of UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) and shareholder registers
- Monitoring of legal deadlines and proactive alerts
- Drafting and registration of board resolutions and shareholder agreements
- Updates to company data: directors, address, CNAE codes, etc.
Subsidiary and Branch Management Services
Local entity operations & representation
When HQ is abroad, keeping control over daily operations and compliance is a challenge. GCO acts as your local extension—executing, reporting and aligning with your corporate structure and standards.
- Acting as your legal representative and administrative contact in Spain
- Representing your company before tax, labour, and mercantile authorities
- Coordinating with local banks, notaries, suppliers and public registries
- Implementing HQ policies locally (reporting, accounting, governance)
- Supporting audits, due diligence or regulatory reviews
- Ensuring correct classification and use of company objects (CNAE)
Subsidiary and Branch Management Services
Labour compliance & payroll administration
Spain’s labour laws are complex and highly regulated. We manage your entire employment lifecycle—so your entity stays compliant and your team supported.
- Payroll calculation and payslip generation.
- Social security registration and monthly filings (Sistema RED).
- Drafting of employment contracts and onboarding documentation.
- Advice on collective agreements and working conditions.
- Labour risk prevention coordination and audit readiness.
- Support in dismissal processes, disciplinary actions and CMAC mediation.
Why choose us?
Gain acompetitive edge with GCO
Fully bilingual support. We work fluently in English and Spanish, bridging cultural and legal gaps so nothing gets lost in translation.
Trusted by international companies. We’ve guided hundreds of firms through successful market entry and ongoing operations in Spain. Our experience spans sectors and continents.
Multidisciplinary team. Our advisors are qualified economists, tax experts, labour specialists, and lawyers—ready to act as your in-house team in Spain.
Strategic vision, local knowledge. We combine long-term business strategy with deep understanding of the Spanish regulatory environment. So you avoid local tax pitfalls and legal risks.
European network. Through the IUSFUL European legal network, we support your growth across Europe with consistency and reliability.
Smart tech, seamless control. We leverage digital tools to streamline communication, document management, and compliance monitoring—giving you full visibility and control no matter where you’re based.
Subsidiary and Branch Management
Already have a local team or HQ managing it? That might not be enough.
It’s a fair question: Why outsource subsidiary management if we already have internal resources?
Here’s the reality:
- Local admin staff often lack the legal, tax or compliance depth needed to spot risks early.
- Foreign legal advisors rarely understand the practical, day-to-day requirements of running an entity in Spain.
- HQ teams are disconnected from the Spanish legal environment—and overwhelmed by the volume of filings, deadlines and procedural nuances.
That’s where GCO fits in—not as a replacement, but as a specialist extension of your structure.
We plug the compliance gaps, prevent costly errors, and ensure nothing gets lost in translation between your home office and the Spanish authorities.
Process and Methodology
A Clear Path to Excellence for your Company
Our customer-centric process is tailored to your specific needs. From initial analysis to strategy implementation, we are with you every step of the way.
- Initial Situation Analysis
- Development of Customized Strategies
- Solutions Implementation
- Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment
frequently asked questions
Addressing your concerns
What’s the difference between a subsidiary and a branch in Spain?
A subsidiary is an independent Spanish legal entity owned by the parent company. A branch is legally part of the parent company, but must still comply with Spanish laws, taxes, and labour regulations.
Do we need a local director or representative?
Yes. Spanish legislation requires a legal representative who resides in Spain and can act on behalf of the company in dealings with public authorities.
Can payroll and employment contracts be managed externally?
Yes. Employment-related tasks such as contract preparation, payroll calculation, social security registration, and monthly filings can be outsourced to a local provider.
What happens in the event of a labour or tax inspection?
The entity must provide documentation and cooperate with the relevant authority. A local representative or advisor can manage communications, prepare the required information, and attend proceedings if necessary.
Is it possible to manage more than one entity in Spain under a single provider?
Yes. Companies with multiple subsidiaries or branches in Spain can centralise administrative, tax, and compliance processes through a single provider for consistency and efficiency.
Why choose us?
Need broader strategic support for your Spanish entity?
Subsidiary and branch management covers day-to-day compliance—but some situations require deeper financial, legal, or international expertise. GCO offers complementary services designed to support your structure as it evolves.
Budget planning. We design accurate, scenario-based budgets aligned with your local operations and group reporting. Improve visibility, cost control and decision-making at the branch or group level.
Corporate restructuring. We plan and execute structural changes in your Spanish entities—from mergers and spin-offs to dissolutions and capital changes—with full legal and tax oversight.
International taxation. We optimise cross-border structures and transactions. Our team ensures your Spanish branch or subsidiary stays compliant with local rules while aligning with international tax strategy
Nuestro equipo fiscal
Conoce a Nuestros Expertos en Fiscalidad
Experiencia y conocimiento a tu servicio para una gestión fiscal óptima.
Managing Partner
Tax Department Senior Manager
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