Two businesses with the same asking price may call for very different checks. Regulation, customers, employees and seasonality vary by industry. A sector-specific checklist is therefore more useful than a generic price comparison.
Practical example
Buying a clinic requires attention to healthcare regulation and particularly sensitive personal data, as well as accounts and premises.
What to check before moving forward
Licences and permits
Identify licences, notifications and permits required for the activity and premises. Do not assume they transfer automatically; check with the relevant authority.
People and employment obligations
Understand who performs critical tasks, what know-how sits with employees and what happens after ownership changes. Review contracts, costs and possible employment obligations with specialists.
Protecting confidentiality
Decide what may be public, what requires an identified buyer and what should only be disclosed under a confidentiality agreement. Careful disclosure protects customers, staff and negotiations.
Debts and liabilities
Distinguish liabilities that remain within a company from those that may arise in an asset or business transfer. Contractual risk allocation does not automatically extinguish legal duties owed to third parties.
Professional advice
Where legal, employment or tax consequences arise, obtain Spanish professional advice. General guidance cannot replace reviewing the actual contracts and circumstances of the deal.
How to use this guide
Start by requesting sources for each important claim and noting what remains unverified. Cross-check answers against records, visit the operation where appropriate and bring material risks to an adviser before committing. Never fill missing financial figures with your own assumptions.
Evidence worth requesting before you proceed
A sales description is a starting point, not proof. These documents help distinguish verifiable facts from expectations:
- Current operating licences and permits
- Workforce, payroll costs and employment terms
- Insurance policies and significant claims
Request information appropriate to the negotiation stage and respect confidentiality arrangements. Sensitive documents may be shared only after a buyer is identified.
Final takeaway
A sound transaction starts by defining what changes hands, checking the facts and documenting the agreement. Use this guide as a map of questions, not a replacement for a review tailored to the actual business.
General information only; not personalised legal, tax or financial advice. Rules depend on the transaction and may change.