Public procurement in Spain

Bidding for public contracts in Spain.

Spanish public authorities buy works, services and supplies worth close to 20% of the country's GDP every year. If your company is based outside Spain and wants to win Spanish public contracts, we guide you through every step: eligibility, whether you need a branch or subsidiary here, registration and preparing your bids — in English.

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Can a foreign company bid for public contracts in Spain?

Yes. Spain's Public Sector Contracts Act (Law 9/2017, «LCSP») opens Spanish tenders to companies from other countries, with some conditions depending on where you are based:

EU and EEA companies

You can bid on the same terms as Spanish companies, as long as you are authorised to carry out the activity under the law of your country (article 67 LCSP).

Non-EU companies

You must also show reciprocity: a report from the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office in your country confirming that Spanish companies can bid there (article 68.1). For the largest contracts this is not required if your country is a party to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.

Do you need a branch or office in Spain?

It depends. For works contracts, non-EU companies must have a branch in Spain with appointed representatives, registered at the Spanish Companies Register (article 68.2 LCSP).

For other contracts it is not always mandatory, but many companies choose to set up locally anyway: it makes dealing with the authority, delivering the contract, hiring staff and invoicing much easier. We help you decide between a branch and a subsidiary and set it up.

What you need to bid

  • A Spanish tax ID (NIF) for the company and a digital certificate, since bids in Spain are submitted electronically.
  • Documents in Spanish: foreign documents usually need an official translation, as set out in the tender documents.
  • Submission to Spanish jurisdiction: foreign companies must declare that they submit to the Spanish courts for any matter relating to the contract (article 140.1 LCSP).
  • Financial and technical standing, evidenced with documents from your home country: accounts, insurance, track record and team.
  • The ESPD (European Single Procurement Document), the standard EU self-declaration.
  • Registration with ROLECE, Spain's official register of bidders: recommended, and mandatory in some procedures.

Bidding with a Spanish partner

A common way into the Spanish market is a temporary joint venture (UTE) with a Spanish company (article 69 LCSP): you bring the technical capability and your partner the local knowledge, or the other way round. We can help you find and structure that partnership.

How we help

  1. 01

    We assess your case and the market

    Which Spanish authorities buy what you offer, in what volumes and with what usual requirements.

  2. 02

    We set up your presence in Spain

    Branch or subsidiary, tax ID, representatives and digital certificate, when needed.

  3. 03

    Registration and documents

    Reciprocity, ROLECE registration, translations and evidence of standing.

  4. 04

    We find tenders and prepare your bids

    Tailored tender alerts, legal review of the tender documents and preparation of your bid.

  5. 05

    We stay with you until signature — and after

    Award, final guarantee and, if something goes wrong, procurement appeals before the competent tribunal.

We work in English, Spanish and Catalan. Leer esta página en español →

Frequently asked questions

Questions from foreign companies.

Can a foreign company take part in public tenders in Spain?

Yes. EU and EEA companies can bid if they are authorised under the law of their own country (article 67 LCSP). Companies from other countries must also show reciprocity through a report from the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office, except for the largest contracts when their country is a party to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (article 68).

Do I need to open a branch in Spain to bid?

For works contracts, non-EU companies must have a branch in Spain with appointed representatives, registered at the Spanish Companies Register (article 68.2 LCSP). For other contracts it is not always mandatory, although it is often advisable in order to deliver the contract. We help you decide and set it up.

In which language must the bid be submitted?

As a general rule, in Spanish; in Catalonia, Catalan may also be used where the tender documents allow it. Documents issued in other languages usually need an official translation.

Can a foreign company register with ROLECE?

Yes, foreign companies can also register with ROLECE, Spain's official register of bidders. It simplifies every tender and is mandatory in some procedures, such as the simplified open procedure.

Do you work in English?

Yes. We work in English, Spanish and Catalan by email, phone and video call.

Get in touch

Your company, in the Spanish public market.

Email us · info@licitacionglobal.com Call · +34 691 913 379