Your Legal Bridge between Germany, Spain and Latin America

Not necessarily for all operations, thanks to the single market. However, you do need Spanish legal advice for: trademark registration at OEPM, Spanish labour law compliance, distribution contracts governed by Spanish law, proceedings before Spanish courts, and dealings with Spanish authorities. Additionally, for LATAM expansion, Madrid is the natural legal hub.

Madrid is the natural gateway to LATAM for European companies. From here we coordinate: trademark and patent registration at Latin American offices, distribution and licence contracts adapted to each jurisdiction, legal due diligence of local partners, country-specific regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. We work with local lawyers in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

Yes. An EU trademark (EUTM) registered at EUIPO protects in all 27 member states, including Germany, with a single application. We manage the entire process from Madrid: prior art searches, filing, responding to objections and oppositions, and maintenance. You do not need a separate representative in each country.

Both are continental civil law systems with common roots. The main practical differences are in: procedural deadlines, court costs (generally lower in Spain), IP court structure, enforcement of judgments, and contractual practices. In EU law (GDPR, AI Act, EU trademarks), the regulation is the same but application may vary.

We work directly with your in-house legal team or German law firm. We establish a clear communication protocol, share documentation in English or Spanish as preferred, and coordinate joint legal strategies. For complex projects, we organise periodic virtual meetings with all teams involved.

Madrid offers unique advantages: same language as 19 Latin American countries, compatible time zone with LATAM (6-8h difference vs 9-12h from Germany), bilateral investment treaties between Spain and LATAM countries, established consular network and chambers of commerce, and a legal ecosystem familiar with transatlantic operations.

Yes. We represent foreign IP right holders before Spanish courts. We handle everything from cease and desist letters to full court proceedings, including urgent injunctive relief. German ownership of the trademark or patent does not prevent action in Spain if the infringement occurs here.

As both countries are in the EU, GDPR applies directly in both without special transfer mechanisms. However, data protection authorities (BfDI in Germany, AEPD in Spain) may have different interpretations. We harmonise policies to comply with both authorities and coordinate communications if necessary.

AHK Spain (German Chamber of Commerce) facilitates bilateral business relations. Our services complement the AHK's work by providing specialised legal advice on IP, data, and international expansion that the chamber does not cover directly. We can coordinate with the AHK if relevant to your project.

We design licence agreements that protect your technology: reinforced confidentiality clauses, territorial use limitations, compliance audits, prior IP registration in the target jurisdiction, and dispute resolution mechanisms (usually ICC or LCIA arbitration). Prior trademark and patent protection in the target country is essential before licensing.

EUIPO fees for an EU trademark in one class are €850 (electronic filing). Each additional class costs €50 (second) and €150 (third and subsequent). Professional fees for prior art searches, application drafting, and procedure management are added. The typical total cost for a registration without opposition ranges from €1,300-1,500.

Yes. The EU-MERCOSUR Agreement, when it enters into force, will affect trade relations with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. We advise on: protection of geographical indications, access to services markets, public procurement, and IP standards. For German companies, this significantly expands opportunities in South America.

We act on two fronts: in Europe, through actions at Spanish courts (if the infringer operates here), and in LATAM, coordinating with local lawyers for actions in the jurisdiction where the infringement occurs. The key is having IP rights registered beforehand in the relevant markets.

Yes. We conduct full legal due diligence for German companies acquiring Spanish companies or assets in Spain: IP review, contracts, regulatory compliance, labour, tax, and pending litigation. We coordinate with the German legal team to ensure information flows efficiently.

The AI Act is a European regulation directly applicable in both countries. If you deploy AI systems in Spain or through your Spanish subsidiary, you must comply with the same obligations as in Germany. We coordinate AI Act compliance strategy across both jurisdictions to avoid duplication and ensure consistency.

Not strictly necessary, but a Spanish subsidiary or branch can offer advantages: access to Spain-LATAM bilateral investment treaties, presence in the same time zone, a Spanish-speaking legal base, and certain tax benefits. We assess your specific case to recommend the optimal structure.

Yes. Our boutique model is especially well suited for the German Mittelstand: medium-sized companies with international legal needs that do not require (nor want to pay for) the fees of large international firms. We offer personalised attention, direct partner contact, and competitive rates.

Yes. We act as your representative before the Spanish Data Protection Agency in sanctioning proceedings, prior consultations, and any official communication. We coordinate with your DPO in Germany to ensure a coherent response and protect the company's interests.

We regularly work with German companies in: software and SaaS, industrial engineering, automotive (Tier 1-2 suppliers), biotechnology, renewable energy, and e-commerce. The common thread is the need to protect IP and expand operations in Spanish-speaking markets.

We work in Spanish and English. All documentation, contracts, and communication can be conducted in English. For proceedings before Spanish authorities and courts, we manage the necessary translations. Although we do not offer service in German, our experience with German companies allows us to understand the German legal and business context.