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US LLC (Delaware) · via Mercury (banking-only)·🇪🇸Founder profile

Forming a Delaware LLC for Spanish Consultant Nomads

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityEligible
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$0.00

Spanish-resident consultants can form a Delaware LLC to provide services to international clients. This structure separates personal liability from business operations.

The LLC functions as a pass-through entity for US federal tax purposes. You must evaluate how this income interacts with your Spanish tax obligations, specifically under the Beckham Law regime.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$0.00
$0.00/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupMercury (banking-only) setup
    $0.00
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $0.00
Total$0.00
§ 02Tax residency · Spanish Nomad Consultants

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

US LLCs are treated as pass-through entities for federal tax purposes, where income is taxable to non-US members only if effectively connected to a US trade or business (ETBUS).

Home-country rule

Beckham Law regime; autónomo alternative comparison

Editorial verdict

Compare the LLC pass-through tax against the Spanish Beckham Law regime; ensure your consulting activity does not create a permanent establishment in Spain.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Form 5472 and 5476 penalty of $25,000 for late or missing filings
  • 02Potential Spanish tax residency challenges if management is performed from Spain
  • 03Double taxation risks if US-source income is not properly offset by tax treaties
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingMercury (banking-only) submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINIRS EIN issuance
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

US LLC (Delaware) vs Estonia OÜ (e-Residency)

US LLC (Delaware)
LLC
Estonia OÜ (e-Residency)
Entity
LLC
Setup cost
$140.00
$205.20
Annual
$300.00
$129.60
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
Franchise tax $300/yr; federal only on US-source income
20% only on distributed profit; 0% on retained earnings
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

If your LLC has no physical office, employees, or dependent agents in the US, and your services are performed entirely outside the US, your income is generally not considered 'effectively connected' (ETBUS) and may not be subject to US federal income tax.
Next step

Start filing with Mercury (banking-only)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.