Mercantile Advisory
One legal misstep can derail your growth. We’ll help you avoid it.
Doing business in Spain—whether you’re entering the market, consolidating operations or planning a restructure—requires navigating a complex legal and regulatory environment. Every decision, from your company’s setup to its governance or growth strategy, carries legal implications.
At GCO, we help both Spanish companies operating in a dynamic market and international businesses expanding into Spain make confident decisions that protect their interests and support long-term success.
Here’s how our mercantile advisory in Barcelona helps you:
- Entity setup and legal structuring aligned with your strategy
- Mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transformations done right
- Commercial contracts that prevent future disputes
- Cross-border guidance for seamless international operations
Mercantile Advisory for spanish & international companies
Legal complexity slows growth. The right partner keeps you moving.
From day-to-day compliance to major corporate decisions, navigating Spain’s legal and regulatory landscape can quickly become a challenge—with serious consequences for your business.
- Not sure which legal form best suits your current or future plans?
- Expanding across Spain—or entering the market—and unsure of compliance requirements?
- Planning a merger, acquisition or restructure but don’t know where to begin?
- Working with outdated governance models or one-size-fits-all documents?
- Concerned about legal exposure, missed filings or director responsibilities?
At GCO, we support Spanish companies and international businesses alike—from startups to multinationals—helping them stay compliant, competitive and confident. That’s why we’re a trusted choice for mercantile advisory in Barcelona and expert international advisory in Spain.
Strategic Mercantile Advisory Services
Company formation & legal structuring: Afraid of choosing the wrong legal setup?
Choosing the wrong legal form can lead to costly tax consequences, unnecessary restrictions, or operational delays. At GCO, we help you form your company the right way—compliant, strategic, and risk-free from the start.
Company formation – We set up subsidiaries, branches, and representative offices in Spain, ensuring correct registration and smooth launch.
Legal structure advisory – We analyse your business model and advise on the most suitable legal form to optimise liability, taxation, and flexibility.
Custom bylaws and agreements – Tailored governance documents that reflect your business needs and reduce legal exposure.
Registry and procedural support – We handle filings and formalities with Spanish authorities, so you don’t have to.
Strategic Mercantile Advisory Services
Concerned your contracts aren’t bulletproof?
Relying on outdated templates or copying terms from online sources can leave your business vulnerable. We create legally sound, customised contracts and manage your compliance to avoid future problems.
Commercial contract drafting and negotiation – We design and negotiate agreements for sales, franchising, distribution and agency models, fully adapted to Spanish law.
Contract reviews and updates – We optimise existing documents to ensure they remain enforceable, relevant and low-risk.
Ongoing compliance support – We help you meet your legal obligations, preventing penalties, disputes or director liabilities.
Risk-prevention audits – We proactively detect compliance gaps that could affect your operations.
Strategic Mercantile Advisory Services
M&A, spin-Offs, restructuring—You can't afford to miss a detail
Whether you’re preparing a spin-off, integrating a newly acquired company, or aligning shareholder interests, restructuring requires expert legal coordination. We manage complex legal processes so you can restructure with clarity and control.
Mergers and acquisitions – From due diligence to execution, we handle local and cross-border M&A transactions in line with Spanish corporate law.
Spin-offs and corporate transformations – We advise and manage all stages of corporate changes, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment.
Shareholder reorganisations – We coordinate legal updates when ownership or governance structures evolve.
Legal filings and documentation – All corporate changes are correctly processed and registered.
Strategic Mercantile Advisory Services
Joint ventures & business structures: Partnering without clear rules?
Collaborating with other businesses is full of potential—but only if your legal foundations are rock solid. We structure business alliances that minimise risk and maximise clarity.
U.T.E. and A.I.E. structuring – We set up Spanish business collaboration structures that allow partners to operate together while protecting their independence.
Holding company creation – We help you consolidate operations or assets under a single umbrella with clear tax and governance benefits.
Custom legal frameworks – We define partner rights, obligations, and dispute mechanisms to prevent future conflict.
Ongoing advisory – We remain available to manage compliance and governance within your collaborative structure.
Strategic Mercantile Advisory Services
Capital changes, dissolutions & liquidations: Adapt when needed
Adjusting capital or winding down a business can be fraught with procedural complexity. We manage the full process ensuring everything is filed, executed, and registered properly.
Capital increases and reductions – We handle the legal and procedural aspects of changing your company’s share capital.
Dissolutions and liquidations – We manage the full wind-down process, from resolution drafting to final registry closure.
Risk-mitigation support – We ensure directors and shareholders meet their legal obligations throughout the process.
Regulatory filings and clearance – All changes are properly filed with the Mercantile Registry and relevant authorities.
Why GCO's Mercantile Advisory Services?
Need a legal partner who thinks like a business owner?
Choosing the right advisory firm isn’t just about credentials—it’s about having a partner who sees the full picture, acts fast, and keeps your business moving.
Trusted by companies. More than four decades advising Spanish and international companies through market shifts, regulatory reform, and business transformations.
Local experts with global reach. Our team understands the nuances of Spanish law—and how they intersect with international operations. We bridge jurisdictions, cultures, and expectations.
Full-scope advisory. Legal, tax, labour, financial. One team, one vision, fully aligned with your business goals.
Tech-enabled, human-centred. We use smart tools—digital signatures, real-time dashboards, secure document portals—to simplify the process, but never lose the human touch.
Multilingual support. Work with professionals who speak your language. We advise fluently in English.
Process and Methodology
A Clear Path to Excellence for your Company
Our customer-centric process is tailored to your specific needs. From initial analysis to strategy implementation, we are with you every step of the way.
- Initial Situation Analysis
- Development of Customized Strategies
- Solutions Implementation
- Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment
Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers to your key questions
Do I need a Spanish company to operate in Spain?
Not necessarily. We’ll advise whether a branch, subsidiary or rep office is best.
What is the importance of choosing the right legal form for my company?
Choosing the right legal form can have a significant impact on the management and performance of your company. We help you choose the most suitable option for your specific needs.
What are the advantages of Temporary Business Alliances and Economic Interest Groupings?
These forms of business collaboration can offer advantages in terms of resources, knowledge, and synergies that can benefit all parties involved. We advise you on their implementation and management.
How can I protect my interests when drafting mercantile contracts?
Our specialized legal team will guide you in drafting and negotiating solid and equitable mercantile contracts, ensuring that your interests are protected and beneficial business relationships are established.
What is the process for adapting the social capital of my company?
Our team provides you with expert advice on adapting the social capital of your company, whether to increase or reduce capital, liquidate, or dissolve the company, adapting it to your needs and business objectives.
Our tax team
Meet Our Tax Experts
Experience and knowledge at your service for optimal tax management.
Managing Partner
Tax Department Senior Manager
