Barcelona is a popular destination for international entrepreneurs and companies looking to expand into Spain. But registering a foreign-owned business in Barcelona isn’t just about legal forms — it’s also about language compliance.
Many of the documents you’ll need must be translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado), officially recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Failing to do so can result in rejected applications, notarial delays or even legal invalidation of your company registration.
This article outlines exactly which documents must be translated — and why getting it right the first time matters.
Articles of Association
This is one of the most critical documents in the registration process. If your parent company is incorporated abroad, your Articles of Association must be translated into Spanish or Catalan by a sworn translator.
The Registro Mercantil de Barcelona (Barcelona Companies Registry) will not accept originals in English or other languages.
Power of Attorney (PoA)
If a legal representative will sign documents or appear before the notary on your behalf, the Power of Attorney must be:
● Notarised in the country of origin
● Apostilled (for international validity)
● Sworn translated into Spanish or Catalan
Certificate of Good Standing (for Parent Companies)
If the business being registered is a subsidiary of a foreign entity, you may be required to submit a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company — sworn translated into Spanish or Catalan.
Notaries often request this to verify the legal status of foreign shareholders.
Identification Documents of Shareholders and Directors
If any shareholders or directors are individuals (not legal entities), their passports or national ID cards must be translated, depending on notary requirements.
Some notaries in Barcelona will also ask for proof of address, translated if is not in Spanish.
Bank Certificate Confirming Share Capital Deposit
Before final registration, you must deposit the required capital (usually €3,000 for an S.L.) into a Spanish bank account and obtain a bank certificate. If your bank provides it in English or another language, it must be sworn translated.
Proof of Registered Office Address
Whether you’re submitting a commercial lease, property deed, or business centre agreement, the document must be translated if not originally in Spanish or Catalan. This is essential to verify the physical business location.
Language Preference: Spanish vs Catalan
In Barcelona, some registrars and notaries prefer or require documents in Catalan, especially if filing before regional offices. Confirm the language preference with your notary or gestoría to avoid rejection due to formatting or language inconsistencies.
Why Sworn Translation is Non-Negotiable
Only translators certified by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue legally valid sworn translations. These translations are:
● Accepted by notaries and registries
● Stamped, signed, and legally binding
● Often required with an original apostille
Machine translations, internal translations, or freelance work without certification will not be accepted.
Don’t Let Translation Errors Delay Your Launch
At Eagle Translations, we help international companies fast-track their registration process in Spain by providing accurate, sworn translations of all required documents — quickly and with full legal validity.
