Can I buy a VTC licence as a foreign national?

Yes. There is no nationality restriction on VTC licences: the regulations require that the purchaser — whether an individual or a company — meets the general requirements for transport operators in Spain. For a foreign buyer, this means having their immigration and establishment matters sorted out before they go to the relevant office.

What you need to have in order:

• NIE (foreigners’ identity number): essential for any serious financial transaction in Spain — buying property, setting up a company, paying tax.
• Legal capacity to establish yourself depending on your circumstances: for EU citizens, the freedom of establishment simplifies the process; for non-EU nationals, the route depends on your residence status — and here it is worth distinguishing between two different scenarios. If you’re going to drive yourself, you’ll need a residence and work permit that authorises you to carry out the activity. If you’re buying as an investor and the business is run by an operator or a hired driver, your approach is corporate and tax-related, not labour-related.
• The standard structure: a Spanish S.L. A company incorporated in Spain, with the licence held within the company and you as a shareholder — regardless of your nationality. This simplifies dealings with the transport authorities, banking operations and any future sale (the rationale behind this structure).
• The usual requirements: being up to date with tax and Social Security obligations in Spain, good standing and a registered vehicle — the same as for any buyer, detailed in what do I need to buy.

An honest word of warning: immigration and transport are two overlapping regulatory areas, and each case has its own specific circumstances — investment-based residence visas, self-employment permits, and country-specific agreements. Confirm your specific plan with specialist advice before committing to anything; it’s a quick consultation and prevents you from building your plan on a false assumption.

For international investors, the rest of the process is identical: verification, public index and escrow settlement with the funds protected until signing — a process designed specifically to ensure secure remote purchasing. The starting point is the marketplace and investing.