Barcelona is attracting increasing investment and international companies operating in the Spanish market, many of which are establishing themselves in the city as their permanent business headquarters. All these professionals, companies and freelancers need an international agency in Barcelona to keep all their tax and legal obligations up to date. But how do you choose one?
As with any service provider, it is important to analyse, ask questions, investigate and compare. At Taxmind, we know how to work with foreign companies thanks to our extensive experience as an international agency in Barcelona. That is why we explain which aspects to prioritise when choosing the agency you will work with.
Things to consider when choosing your new international agency in Barcelona
We’re going to focus on nine elements that we at Taxmind know perfectly well are decisive in the daily work of an international agency. These are the aspects that make a team solid and reliable in terms of tax, accounting and legal management and administration.
Let’s look at them one by one.
☑️ Credibility and reputation
Professional experience is, we would say, the best calling card for an agency. It is usually synonymous with reliability and good work, at least in our case 😊. Having proven experience, demonstrated by years of working with international clients and similar cases (e.g. setting up limited companies for non-residents, payroll for posted workers, intra-Community VAT management), is what builds the credibility of any international agency.
Be able to offer and showcase references and practical examples, such as case studies, testimonials, and client contacts who can speak to the quality of your service. In addition, of course, certifications and affiliations (memberships, accreditations).
And in the digital age we live in, make sure you have plenty of good reviews on your online presence: Google, LinkedIn, review apps (e.g. Trustpilot), professional directories, etc.
☑️ Scope of services (what is actually covered)
The international agency we want to work with if we are an international client in Barcelona must be an expert, not only in accounting, but also in offering a comprehensive management service. What do we mean by this?
- Taxation (tax residence, income tax/corporate tax for non-residents).
- VAT: intra-Community, OSS/Import One-Stop Shop, VAT on international B2C sales.
- Labour compliance and payroll (contracts, social security, posted workers).
- Company formation and commercial compliance (limited companies, branches, permanent establishments).
- Processing of NIE/NIF, permits and worker mobility.
- Multi-currency accounting and reporting in English.
- Basic legal services (in collaboration with a law firm) and audit support.
- Clients appreciate that everything is coordinated by a single point of contact or, failing that, that there is a reliable network of partners.
☑️ International and local knowledge
Although we may need an international agency if we are a worker or entrepreneur moving to Barcelona, logically the team we partner with must have a thorough understanding of local taxation. Everything related to European regulations (VAT, e-commerce) and Spanish particularities. Also double taxation agreements, cross-border implications and mechanisms to avoid double taxation.
Needless to say that you will need to have experience in specific sectors (tech, e-commerce, tourism/events) that have special rules, especially if these are the sectors in which we will be operating as clients.
☑️ Language, communication and cultural sensitivity
We must find an international agency in Barcelona where communication is conducted in English, the universal language of business and commercial and international relations. If the agency’s experts are also proficient in other languages, this will be a significant advantage to consider in the final selection of the agency we will work with.
In English or another language, always communicate clearly, without unnecessary technical jargon. Be widely available, with reasonable hours, respond quickly, and know the preferred channel or channels for contacting our international managers in Barcelona (email, Teams, professional WhatsApp).
An agency in another country must have a well-established culture of service that is understanding of cultural differences in working methods and expectations that are bound to arise between clients and managers.
☑️ Transparency in pricing and billing models
Which payment method and terms are most appealing to us? If we have any preferences in this regard, we should carefully examine the models offered by the international agencies we speak with.
Fixed fee per package, monthly retainer, fee per service or combination: there are different options to consider. Similarly, it is important to know in detail the lists of inclusions/exclusions, external costs (notaries, fees), billing policy, etc. In short, we seek transparency in communication and in the agency’s procedures regarding charges and payments.
☑️ Technology and processes
Nowadays, much of the day-to-day management and communication is transferred to the technological sphere. A reliable international agency will have programmes, software or portals where it can share documents with clients, view invoices, use electronic signatures and generally monitor operations related to each of them.
It is a demonstration of versatility, order and control of the tasks and responsibilities that, as an agency, they accumulate with clients, public bodies and third-party companies.
We are referring mainly to accounting integrations (electronic invoicing, bank connection, e-invoicing), as well as certain automation tasks such as due date reminders or periodic reports, not to mention security (encryption, backups, and GDPR compliance).
☑️ Partner network and international coverage
It is interesting to know whether the international agency we are going to work with has signed agreements with local firms in other countries, international banks, legal advisers and experts, or other colleagues in the profession. This helps us to understand their modus operandi and to know whose hands our affairs will ultimately be in.
☑️ Proactiveness and added value
We refer to actions such as preventive advice (tax planning, structure optimisation, international cash flow), training for our own staff (and the client’s), periodic reports, regulatory alerts, etc.
Questions to ask yourself before choosing an international agency in Barcelona
Once we have gathered all the information we believe necessary to finally hire an international agency in Barcelona to accompany us on our journey, we must ask ourselves the following questions:
- Do you have specific experience in my country/sector?
- Can you provide verifiable references?
- Do you offer all the services I need or do you coordinate with reliable partners?
- Do you speak my language? How will we communicate on a daily basis?
- How do you invoice and what does the price include? Are there any withholdings or extra costs?
- What technology do you use and how do you protect my data?
- What added value do you offer (tax planning, reporting in English)?
- What documentation will you ask me for during onboarding?
Warning signs that deter clients from using an international agency
Just as we let you know which areas of service you should check before choosing an international agency in Barcelona (or any other city), here are some aspects that, if you detect them, it would be best not to work with that professional firm:
- Lack of contract or unclear terms and conditions.
- Lack of transparency regarding fees or unspecified additional costs.
- Delayed or evasive responses; lack of multilingual staff.
- Lack of security/data policies or collaboration agreements with solicitors for legal matters.
Conclusions
Everything explained above is what we at Taxmind, as a leading international agency in the province of Barcelona, believe that every client or prospective client should ask themselves and then the agency before making a decision to hire. Many of our clients come to us through referrals from current clients, but we always tell everyone that they must keep track of every aspect of what an international agency should do for them. Just because they delegate the work does not mean they should ignore it.
Now you know which aspects to prioritise and which are complementary when choosing the agency you want to work with. If you have any questions or queries, leave us a comment and we will respond as soon as possible.
