Business Structure Comparison: SL, COOP, and S.A. Models

Legal Form: Sociedad Limitada (SL)
Benefits: Protects founders’ assets; Professional image for international trade; Flexible for multi-activity operations.
Taxation: Corporate Tax 25% (sometimes 15%). Corporate Income Tax paid annually (July 1-25) or in installments.
VAT (IVA): 0% on exports outside the EU. 0% intra-EU (with valid EU VAT number). Quarterly VAT returns.
Financial Context: Figures mentioned: -€533,000 and +€700,000. Financed through partners’ capital, bank loans, and public support programs.
Pros: Credibility, scalability, bank/investor friendly.
Cons: Accounting obligations.
Differentiation: Design focused on everyday use, functional, and aesthetic. Durable, ergonomic, Mediterranean lifestyle.

Legal Form: Cooperative (COOP)
Structure: Democratic structure in the company; Equitable and fair distribution of profits; Requires great organization.
Business Focus: Premium wine producer combining heritage winemaking with modern operational excellence.
Exports: Exports to New York (NY).
Product Lines: Young wine & barrel-aged wine.
Vision: No vineyards or cellar owned. Premium yet accessible price strategy ($14–$20).
Documentation: REOCE (Special Registry of Foreign Trade Operators) + EORI (Economic Operator Identification Number) from AEAT (State Tax Administration Agency). DUA, Commercial Invoice, and Packing List required.
Finances: Initial Investment: €303,586. Earnings: Year 1 (€40k), Year 2 (€107k).

Legal Form: Sociedad Limitada (SL)
Operations: Produces and exports blood pressure monitors to MERCOSUR (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia). Components from China assembled and packaged in Spain.
Target Market: 200 million potential clients, with potential to reach 400 million.
Strategy: Partner with local distributors for faster market entry.
Documentation: Exporter Registration and EORI number, Commercial Invoice, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), Packing list, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, CE Certificate, Insurance Certificate, Sanitary Registration.
Taxation & Duties: 25% Corporate Tax. 30% Social Security (SS). VAT is 0% on exports; imports pay 21% VAT. Imports from China incur 3–5% duties.
Finances: Initial Investment: €300,000. Expenses: €388,000. Profit: €212,000.

Legal Form: Sociedad Anónima (S.A.)
Size: 50 employees.
Product Focus: S80 Submarine featuring Bioethanol Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), 3 weeks endurance, and torpedo tubes (40 personnel).
Competition: TKMS.
Documentation: Defense and Security Permits, Environmental Impact Assessments, Military Certifications.
Key Point: Sovereign Control (Complete technical and legal control over its entire design, integration, and lifecycle).
Functions: Integrates all systems: AIP, Combat, Stealth.
Client Example: Supplying to a NATO member country (Portugal).
Value: €1–2 Billion.