Search the business registry

    Spain business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Spain

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: Registro Mercantil Central

    How do I search the business registry in Spain?

    Use Registro Mercantil Central as a starting source for Spain, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include SL (Sociedad Limitada), SA (Sociedad Anónima). A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the trading name you were given

      Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.

    2. 2

      Identify the legal entity behind it

      Registro Mercantil Central records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.

    3. 3

      Check the entity type

      Spain recognises SL (Sociedad Limitada), SA (Sociedad Anónima). Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.

    4. 4

      Note what the registry does not cover

      Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.

    Open Registro Mercantil CentralAll Spain records

    Spain: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Start with the legal name, NIF and province. The Registro Mercantil Central and provincial registers have different functions; follow the official document route to the register holding the company's file rather than treating name availability as incorporation evidence.
    Confirm the entity
    CIF is the older name often used for a company's NIF. Compare the exact legal entity and province; an ES-prefixed VAT check answers a tax question and is not a replacement for the commercial-register entry.

    Spanish company-capital legislation

    Check current access and document options on the official Registro Mercantil Central site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Spain registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the Spain business registry cover?

    Registro Mercantil Central records SL (Sociedad Limitada), SA (Sociedad Anónima). Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.

    Can I search the Spain business registry by trading name?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in Spain?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check Registro Mercantil Central's current terms.

    What if a Spain business has no registry entry?

    It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.

    What is an SL in Spain?

    An SL (Sociedad Limitada) is a Spanish limited-liability company. The statutory minimum capital is €1. Special reserve and shareholder-liability rules apply while capital is below €3,000; check the registered capital and current legislation rather than treating a low amount as a registration defect.

    People also ask about search the business registry in Spain

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Spain company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Registro Mercantil Central are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Spain business registry?

    The Registro Mercantil Central is the official public register of companies incorporated in Spain. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.rmc.es.

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