If you’re searching for the perfect place to live and work, consider Spain. Spanning across the Iberian Peninsula, this beautiful country has a way of life that is welcoming to those looking for a change of pace. Its warm climate makes it an ideal place to spend some time in the summer. If you’re seeking adventure and excitement, you could explore its wonderful cities or head for the countryside and bask in the solitude that comes with being your own boss.

While it’s definitely an option to run away from the hustle and bustle of the city life and head to a smaller town or rural area to get away from it all, why not make the most of what Spain has to offer? You may choose to set up shop in a big city, but there are plenty of opportunities in smaller towns and villages to provide a quality service to local businesses who need help with marketing, sales, and customer care.

If you’re thinking about starting a business, whether virtual or otherwise, in Spain, then read on.

Find Your Niche

While we all want to be able to help our friends and family, those who are seeking to help others to earn a living usually find it easier to start a business that focuses on a particular niche. Stemming back to our previous point about living and working in Spain, you may choose to specialize in customer care, marketing, or sales. Each of these areas have become so competitive that it’s almost impossible for one person to tackle everything effectively alone. Having a specific focus means that you can choose the right tools for the job, and scale up or down as you please.

For example, if you have a deep-rooted passion for animals and want to channel that into a career, you could easily start a virtual-assistant business helping people with their pet care. You would need to get any necessary licenses and register with the local government to provide this service. With your skillset, the sky is the limit.

Choose The Right Location

One of the most important things to consider when setting up shop in Spain is the location itself. You can choose the center of a big city or a small town but it’s important to weigh up the pros and the cons of each. If you’re in a rural area and don’t want to spend too much time traveling to and from work, choose a smaller community where you can live the peaceful life you desire. Think about the cost of living and the quality of the local amenities before making this decision.

Consider The Legal Requirements

Even if you’ve chosen the perfect location, done your research, and found a mentor to guide you along the way, you’ll still need to deal with a lot of red tape if you decide to set up shop there. When deciding where to set up shop, make sure that you’ve considered all the legal requirements. In some countries, you may need to register your business with the local government. You should also look into the small business regulations in your chosen location. They may dictate things like how many employees you can have and what products you can sell.

Obtain Business Licenses

Although Spain is known for being a popular holiday destination and a hub for tourists and expats looking for a change of pace, there are still plenty of opportunities to make a living online. To do this, you’ll need to attain the proper licenses and permits to provide a professional service. For example, if you’re going to be providing customer care services over the phone, you may need to register with the Spanish Phone Companies Association (SOFIP) as a Comissionaire de Responsable Legal del Consumidor (CRC) to provide these services. To qualify, you’ll need to have a minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in a related field. If you feel that your skills allow you to offer marketing or sales as a service, then register with the Asociación Espanola de Marketing E-Commerce (AEME) to become their member. You’ll also need to satisfy their criteria for the role. The good news is that you can find numerous resources online to help you navigate this complex world of licenses and permits that is Spanish bureaucracy. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in wanting to make the most of these opportunities – many Spaniards are now working remotely and providing these services remotely as well.

Selecting A Tax Identity

When choosing a tax identity for your new business, it’s important to consider the type of services you’ll be providing and where you’ll be operating from. Will you be selling products or offering a service? Will you be working from home or will you be traveling to clients’ offices to provide your service? These questions will dictate the type of structure you need to opt for.

If you’re going to be providing a product-based service, for example, marketing or web design, then you can choose between being taxed as a business or being taxed as an individual. If you’re opting for the business route, then you’ll need to register your company with the Spanish Companies Registration Agency (SCR) asap. Having a business license and tax ID will also make it much easier to sell your products and generate profits. You’ll also need to decide whether you want to be taxed based on your profits or losses. If you have a service-based business, then you may be able to claim expenses such as rent and fees paid to professional bodies like AEME or SOFIP.

Find A Place To Operate From

Even if you’ve chosen a location with plenty of opportunities and are able to obtain the necessary business licenses and permits, you’ll still need a physical space to operate from. If you can’t find an office space that suits your needs, then you can always rent a private room in a house or apartment. If you’re opting for the business route, then owning a storefront is ideal – something small enough to fit in your garage, but with a nice retail feel. Find a space that has all the necessary permits and is big enough for you to comfortably fit all your equipment. Remember: no matter which option you choose, being a digital nomad will not be an easy way to make a living – you’ll still need to find a way to earn a living.