Words of advice for non-residents to open a restaurant in Spain
Anyone who considers starting a foreigner-owned restaurant in Spain likely hopes to realise a lifelong dream.
When it pertains to cuisine, Spain corresponds to Hollywood for movie artists. Its distinction in food, which is well-rooted and poses an outcome of a lengthy heritage, raises this nation to a higher world-class level. Everyone who enjoys cooking is aware that the best recipes from the most renowned chefs can be found in Spain and directly come from the country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula.
One more justification for opening a restaurant in Spain is the encouragement of self-employment and the promotion of entrepreneurship in the nation. Together with its tourism features, it welcomes travelers and guests. There are numerous factors that support a foreigner’s choice to start a food business in Spain, whether a restaurant or food delivery business resembling Home Chef – meaning to establish themselves as an excellent pick for allergy sufferers or having specialized diet plans like vegan or keto.
How can a foreigner who wants to open a restaurant in Spain get the ball rolling?
Here are some pointers to develop the notion of operating a restaurant in Spain
- Large and diverse – that depicts Spain in the best manner. In this way, picking a location is important when considering operating a restaurant. Should it be continental Spain or islands? Then, in which autonomous region? Investigating and learning about the traditions, chances for success,
and culinary preferences in the preferred location is crucial. - It’s essential that you establish a restaurant concept that’s distinct if you want to run a successful business in Spain. The crucial question is, “What will my restaurant in Spain possess to be considered attractive here?” There are very imaginative entrepreneurs, who bet on distinctiveness using different features. Defining the restaurant, its proposition, possible customers, level, and operating dynamics would be the first step.
- A key factor in luring customers is the menu. Classic meals from diverse cultures offer excellent possibilities. Ancient cuisine, with its roots in highly ancient cultures, is constantly fashionable. Spanish food is known for its innovative use of traditional ingredients and cooking methods, as well as its fusion with other global cuisines.
- A fundamental problem is the evaluation of the available financial resources. There can’t be a restaurant in existence without money and funding sources.
- Once the concept has developed, it’s time to deal with any regulatory concerns.
What does Spain’s legislation provide for foreigners who start up firms here?
The question of outsiders entering Spain is quite current. Careful adherence to the laws is, therefore, a vital requirement.
- Foreign nationals from countries outside the European Union (EU) must first submit to obtain a residency visa for entrepreneurs. It’s handled by the Spanish Consulate in the resident nation of the entrepreneur. This visa gives you permission to stay in Spain while the necessary steps to open
the restaurant are taken. - To secure the visa, it will be essential to provide a passport, health insurance from an entity that works in Spain, a criminal background certification, confirming adequate economic resources, and a positive assessment from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish embassy (Oficina Económica y Comercial de la embajada de España). Spain needs to ensure to only admit applicants who actually have a genuine interest in the job that has been established and the means to pursue it.
- The entrepreneur has freedom of movement if their country of origin is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA). They only require enrollment in the Central Registry of Foreigners (Registro Central de Extranjeros).
In charge of self-employment authorization is the corresponding Government Delegation (Delegación del Gobierno). It’s essential to provide the company plan in full. The industry must be described, together with its location and legal structure. The amount to be invested and finance must also be declared, as well as estimated advantages. - Whether the proposal creates employment or the hiring of staff, it becomes an important factor that the government considers. The Spanish government uses this approach to confirm that the goal is sincere and the business is feasible. The advantages the project brings to Spain are also valued.
A helpful suggestion is to open an account with a bank in Spain before commencing a business. Managing the rent for the property, the payments for the items, and the payments for earlier operations will be simpler. Once the restaurant in Spain starts operating, this account will also be utilized to manage collections. Companies that help with this process exist and will be at your disposal.
What about foreign citizens who are already residing illegally in Spain?
Prior to beginning any procedure, the situation must first be legitimized. There are two possibilities: returning to the nation of origin or via rooting.
The first option relates to the one we previously discussed.
You must show that you have a strong, verifiable family, social, or employment links in order to use rooting to legitimate the position. The decision will be made easier if the personal circumstances of a life lived in Spain are considered.
Confirmation of the business and registering
It’s time for you to register the business. The legal basis that better serves the endeavour can be adopted. Benefits and disadvantages, as well as special qualities, are embedded in each one; in this sense, our very strong recommendation is to obtain legal guidance.
On the website of the Information Centre and Network for the establishment of Businesses (Centro de Información y Red de creación de Empresas), the company registration is to be completed online. This portal contains all the specific details regarding business formats and channels for carrying out procedures.
A legal professional in Spain can do all of this for/with you.
Your restaurant is now founded
All is legally in order, considering the regulations. And yes, the enthusiasm that will eventually manifest as a restaurant has started. The choice of the premises, the furniture, the equipment… will all consume time and money, there’s no doubt about that, but hey – there’s not much more paperwork!
At this time it’s easy to find out more about groups that counsel restaurant owners in the city or municipality where the restaurant will run. Additionally, it’s essential to understand, observe, and research what in the area functions well and what doesn’t.
The hiring of staff is an important decision because the success of the company and the quality of the service will be heavily dependent on the team. Interviews and testing will be required to find a chef, assistants, and waiters who fit the restaurant that has been envisioned. And promotion should be overlooked by no means; Both Internet marketing and “offline” marketing are fundamental.
Serious culinary endeavors that offer resources, culture, and jobs are welcome in Spain. With the required criteria and adherence to Spanish regulations, foreigners are welcome and can thrive in their food business.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
