Opening a reformer studio in Spain: the paperwork, in plain English
None of it is difficult. All of it takes longer than you expect, and some of it has to be done before you can legally open the door.
This is written for people opening a small reformer studio in Spain, often from abroad, often for the first time. It is a map of what exists, not legal or tax advice. Rules differ between comunidades autónomas and even between ayuntamientos, and a good local gestor will save you far more than they cost. Use this to know which questions to ask them.
1. Autónomo or sociedad limitada
| Autónomo | Sociedad limitada (SL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting up | Quick and cheap: register with Hacienda and the Seguridad Social | Notary, company registry, share capital, more paperwork |
| Liability | Personal. Your own assets are exposed | Limited to the company, in most circumstances |
| Running costs | Monthly cuota to the Seguridad Social, simpler accounts | Company accounts, corporate tax, usually a higher gestor fee |
| Usually suits | A single owner starting small | A partnership, investors, or a larger fit-out and lease |
Many owners start as autónomo and move to an SL once the studio is profitable enough for the tax difference to matter. Ask your gestor where that point is for you. You will also need an IAE epigraph describing the activity; for studios it is usually one of the sport headings, and the gestor will pick the right one.
2. Permission to open the premises
Before you teach, the ayuntamiento has to be satisfied that the space can be used for your activity. Depending on the town and the size of the space, that is either a full licencia de actividad or, increasingly for low-risk uses, a declaración responsable that lets you open while the council checks afterwards. Either way you will usually need a technical report and plans from an architect or engineer covering accessibility, fire safety, evacuation and ventilation.
3. Insurance
- Seguro de responsabilidad civil. Covers claims from clients who are injured. Treat it as essential; several comunidades require it for sports activities, and many landlords do too.
- Professional cover for instructors, or confirmation that autónomo instructors carry their own.
- Contents and equipment. Your reformers are likely the most valuable thing in the building.
4. Qualifications
Some comunidades regulate who may lead physical activity and ask for specific qualifications, while others do not. Check the rules in your region, keep copies of every instructor's certificates, and make sure your insurer knows who is teaching.
5. The smaller things that still matter
- Hojas de reclamaciones. Businesses serving consumers must have official complaint forms available and a sign saying so. Inspectors do check.
- Music licences. Playing music in a commercial space generally needs licences from the rights management bodies, such as SGAE. Budget for it.
- Data protection. A privacy notice, a record of what you collect, and extra care with health information from client questionnaires.
- Prices shown with IVA included, and receipts or invoices for what clients buy.
- A separate business bank account from day one. Your gestor will thank you in April.
A rough order of events
- 01Talk to a gestor and decide autónomo or SL.
- 02Check the premises with an architect or the ayuntamiento before signing.
- 03Sign the lease, register the business and the activity.
- 04Submit the licencia or declaración responsable with the technical project; do the works.
- 05Arrange insurance, music licences, complaint forms and a privacy notice.
- 06Open the booking page and start taking bookings for opening week.
Reformer Pilates Booking gives each studio numbered receipts with IVA included and an invoice on request, and the money goes straight into your own Stripe account, so the books start clean from the first class. It is free until your studio takes €1,000 in a month, which covers the months when most of the costs above are still arriving.
Open your booking page while the paperwork is still in progress.
Start for freeCommon questions
- Do I need a licence to open a Pilates studio in Spain?
- You need permission from the ayuntamiento to use the premises for the activity, either a licencia de actividad or, in many towns for low-risk uses, a declaración responsable. Both usually need a technical report covering accessibility and fire safety. Requirements vary by region and town.
- Should I open my Pilates studio as autónomo or SL?
- Autónomo is quicker and cheaper to set up and suits a single owner starting small, but liability is personal. An SL limits liability and can be more tax-efficient once profits grow. Many owners start as autónomo and switch later; a gestor can tell you where that point is.
- What insurance does a Pilates studio in Spain need?
- Civil liability insurance (responsabilidad civil) is essential and required in several regions, plus cover for instructors and for contents and equipment. Check your comunidad's rules and your lease.