Understanding EUGO (Point of Single Contact) in Spain
If you’re operating as an entrepreneur in Spain or running your own business, then you need to know about the EUGO network and its points of single contact.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about this system for business owners in the European Union, and how you can benefit by using EUGO in Spain.
What is EUGO and Why Does it Exist?
The ‘EUGO network’ is a system of national e-government portals, managed by a national coordinator in each Member State. A core aspect of the EUGO network is its Points of Single Contact (PSCs), first established in 2009 by the EU Services Directive to be used by entrepreneurs and businesses operating in the service sector. These allow businesses to find useful information and conduct administrative procedures from one online source.
The introduction of PSCs aims to enable the European service sector to benefit from the Single Market by creating an online resource for completing the necessary national procedures and for finding out information on national rules and formalities. The PSC remit should cover all the processes required as part of the business life cycle while being multilingual and user-friendly.
Who Can Use Points of Single Contact?
Existing businesses and entrepreneurs can access the EUGO network via the point of single contact service in any Member State. This is an ideal resource for those looking into new business opportunities, wishing to expand their services to a different EU country, or hoping to understand the rules and formalities involved in setting up a new business abroad. Furthermore, the PSC also allows various legally required administrative obligations for businesses to be completed online.
Consumers are also able to access the network to find help, organizations that can provide assistance, or check their rights should a problem arise with a product or service they have purchased.
What are the Main Services Provided by the PSC?
Generally, the points of single contact give practical support or information on:- Licenses, notifications, or permits required when starting a business
- Requirements for offering services on a temporary basis
- Recognition of professional qualifications and regulated professions
- Labour and social laws
- Rules for public procurement
- How to make an application
- Organizations responsible for dealing with different applications
- Costs associated with applications
- The expected time to receive a reply
EUGO in Spain
The Spanish EUGO portal offers advice on how to get your business off the ground depending on which region of the country you are based in. This is also helpful as it facilitates comparison between doing business in the different geographical locations of Spain. Indeed, this section includes a link to the CIRCE platform (Centro de Información y Red de Creación de Empresas), which enables the formation of certain types of business entities to be done online.
The CIRCE platform, and the process of setting up a Limited Company (Sociedad Limitada or SL) in Spain, are covered further in our article here: How to Set Up a Company in Spain: The 2021 Guide.
What else does the portal offer?
The EUGO portal also provides useful guidance on the numerous public bodies and regulations involved in starting up in diverse industries, along with contacts for the various associations that govern regulated professions. The same section also offers a library of existing formalities, such as licenses, accreditations, or exams that need to be arranged depending on your economic activity.
For already established businesses, the Spanish PSC provides assistance with certain procedures, including:- Setting up a branch
- Changing the registered address of your company
- What to do in case of a merger
- How to confirm that your business activity has stopped.
Additional features include downloadable assistance guides on how to hire workers or register a patent, information on aid and subsidies available, plus links to relevant sites, such as the Mercantile Registry, Chamber of Commerce, or how to find a notary.
Lastly, the portal offers consumers support regarding the routes for making a claim following an unsatisfactory purchase - be it by judicial, extrajudicial, or other means.
How EUGO Works in Spain and How to Benefit From it
In Spain, the EUGO portal can be found at www.eugo.es, while access to other Member State’s PSC services can be found on the European Commission website.
You can register using your Spanish digital certificate under the Cl@ve system. Once logged in, you will have access to the personal area, in which you can complete and track procedures via the electronic processing system and communicate with the various public bodies that need to be involved in the creation of your business or other legal business requirements.
What are the main benefits of EUGO?
The existence of the EUGO network and country-specific PSCs allow business owners and other interested parties to access the relevant information on setting up and running an economic entity in one online space. As a result, business owners can save time and avoid the confusion that could occur by having to visit the individual sites of each organization is a real benefit of this system. This is especially true when operating in a new or unfamiliar territory.
Additionally, the service allows you to complete procedures remotely instead of having to visit various offices in person, which again is a big time saver and could also save you money.
Before You Go
If you need help navigating the EUGO network in Spain, get in touch below with the team at Strong Abogados to arrange a consultation with one of our experts.