Is it compulsory to keep accounting books in Spain?
In Spain, the keeping and legalisation of accounting books is a legal obligation for commercial companies, regulated by the Commercial Code, the Capital Companies Act and other accounting and tax regulations.
Who is obliged to keep accounting books?
Trading companies (S.L., S.A., cooperatives, etc.) are obliged to keep accounts in accordance with the Commercial Code. Compulsory books include
- Journal
- Inventory Book and Annual Accounts
- Corporate books: Minute Book, Shareholders' Register Book (S.L.), Book of Nominative Shares (S.A.)
Where are they filed?
The accounting books must be legalised telematically at the Mercantile Register corresponding to the registered office, before 30 April of the year following the end of the financial year, through its online platform
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to legalise the books may result in:
- Loss of evidentiary validity of the accounts
- Difficulties before the tax authorities in justifying income and expenses.
- Possible guilty qualification in the event of insolvency proceedings.
- Administrative sanctions if tax obligations are not complied with
Applicable regulations
- Commercial Code (arts. 25 et seq.)
- Capital Companies Act (Ley de Sociedades de Capital)
- Regulations of the Commercial Register
- Rules of the Spanish Accounting and Auditing Institute (Instituto de Contabilidad y Auditoría de Cuentas (ICAC))
Conclusion
The correct keeping and legalisation of accounting records is not only a legal requirement for commercial companies in Spain, but also a guarantee of transparency, control and legal certainty. Complying with these obligations within the established deadlines avoids penalties, strengthens the company's position before third parties - such as the Tax Agency or in bankruptcy proceedings - and ensures the evidentiary validity of the accounts. It is therefore essential for companies to be aware of the applicable regulations and to use the means provided by the Commercial Registry to comply with this essential responsibility in business management.
| Código de Comercio RealDecreto 22 agosto 1885 Consolidado | 489 KB | ||
| Ley Sociedades de Capital RealDecreto 1 2010 Consolidado | 1013 KB |
