International Law Office - Legal Newsletters, Law Firm Directory and Legal News

Company & Commercial

Spain

Overview
Includes: Legislative Framework; Forms of Businesses; Corporate Forms Used By Foreign Investors; Alternative Forms of Establishment; Other Internal Regulatory Matters; Corporate Governance; Contracting; Recent Developments.

The Interdepartmental Working Group on Market Unity, under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, is developing a Guaranteed Market Unity Act. The act aims to reduce the regulatory burden faced by businesses and increase legal certainty by eliminating legal contradictions. Ultimately, the goal is to provide businesses with fewer and better laws that facilitate and encourage economic activity.

A Ministry of Justice report on the modernisation of legal language was published in 2011. Recent surveys have revealed that citizens consider existing language to be unduly complicated. The government has introduced various statutes to remedy this, including the draft Law on Transparency, Access to Public Information and Good Governance and a draft bill on the removal of licences for small businesses.

Corporate Immigration

Spain

The term 'Sephardi' originates from a Hebrew word and refers to the descendants of Spanish and Portuguese Jews who lived or live in the Iberian Peninsula. Those of Sephardic Jewish origin have the right to apply for nationality after two years of legal residency in Spain. Applicants must provide evidence of their Sephardic status.

New agreements were recently introduced regarding border control when visitors travel from Brazil or Mexico to Spain. Among other things, a new procedure has been agreed for direct communication between consular authorities and airport border patrol when travellers are denied entry at the Spanish or Brazilian border; and Mexican consular representatives will now be present at Spanish airports to provide assistance when flights arrive from Mexico.

A new decree-law has amended the rules for EU citizens wishing to reside in Spain. Every citizen of an EU member state or a state that is party to the European Economic Area Agreement has the right to reside in Spain for a period exceeding three months if he or she fulfils certain conditions – for example, if he or she works or is self-employed in Spain.

Foreigners wishing to visit Spain for private travel purposes must obtain a letter of invitation as part of their visa application. The letter is an invitation to visit from a relative or close friend who is a citizen or legal resident of Spain. The person issuing the invitation must provide housing for the foreigner for the duration of his or her visit.

Telecommunications

Spain

The draft of the new General Telecommunications Law received approval on December 28 2012. Among other things, the draft aims to facilitate network roll-out and broadband penetration, and abolishes the licensing and permit system with the aim of eliminating unnecessary administrative hurdles.