Spain and the Netherlands at a glance
- Stamp
- Apostille, Hague Convention in force for Spain since 25 September 1978
- Issued by
- Notarial documents, such as powers of attorney and certified copies, are apostilled by the dean of the Colegio Notarial of the region
- Language
- Spanish, sworn translation
- Register
- Registro Mercantil (online)
- Tax treaty
- Signed 1971, in force 1972 (Rijksoverheid, 1 October 2026)
- EU trade
- EU single market and customs union
- In the Netherlands
- 280 companies controlled from Spain in 2024, 230 in 2021 (+21.7%), about 13,000 jobs, €8.7 billion turnover, 1.4% of all 19,995 foreign-controlled companies (CBS, 9 October 2026)
- Moving here
- EU free movement
Documents from Spain
Passport copy, certified by a notary in Spain.
Proof of address in Spain, at most three months old.
Power of attorney. Sign the power of attorney before a Spanish notario, who also certifies your passport copy.
Ownership statement, one page from us.
The apostille. Notarial documents, such as powers of attorney and certified copies, are apostilled by the dean of the Colegio Notarial of the region. This costs about €25 and takes 3 working days. Court documents are apostilled by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia. Administrative documents are apostilled by the Ministry of Justice (central office or Gerencias Territoriales).
Good to know. A nota simple is insufficient for the Dutch notary, so ask for the certificación. Spanish notarial deeds are apostilled through the Colegio Notarial. The ministry is the wrong office for them. A Registro Mercantil certificate is first handled by the Colegio de Registradores and then by the Ministry of Justice.
If a company from Spain becomes a shareholder
Register extract, at most three months old: Registro Mercantil. Order a certificación (certified extract) through the College of Registrars. A nota simple is for information only. Plus articles, signing authority and ownership chart.
Spain: business register and trade
Spain has a Business Register (Registro Mercantil) in each provincial capital, maintained by registrars under the direct authority of the Ministry of Justice. A Central Business Register deals with the names of companies and commercial entities.
Access to the Business Register is subject to a charge. In 2026, the portal lists a cost of €1.20 to €24 for publication, and anyone can consult the interactive commercial information of the Association of Registrars online.
An abbreviated extract (nota simple) is for information only and can be requested in person or online. A certificate is the only way to convey the authentic nature of an entry: it requires a written request, and electronic certificates bear the registrar's recognised electronic signature.
In 2024, Dutch goods exports to Spain were worth €22.5 billion and imports from Spain €10.7 billion. In 2023, 4.5% of Spain's goods imports came from the Netherlands.
Your next step from Spain
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