Legal form
The legal form of a company determines its legal structure, tax responsibilities, and the regulations that apply in each country. It is a key data point for any business database, as it influences contracting capacity, financing, and regulatory requirements.
What is it?
The legal form is the legal type under which a company operates, as defined by each country’s legislation. It is a structured data point that allows companies to be classified according to their level of liability, incorporation requirements, and applicable tax regulations.
For example, in many countries there are legal forms such as Public Limited Company (PLC) or Limited Liability Company (LLC), which differ significantly in terms of share capital, governance, and shareholder liability.
What is it for?
For data and B2B sales teams, knowing a company’s legal form offers multiple advantages:
- More precise market segmentation: Identify companies based on structure, capital, and investment capacity.
- Risk reduction in transactions: Anticipate legal and financial responsibilities.
- Client and supplier validation: Verify company reliability before closing commercial agreements.
- Optimisation of commercial strategies: Certain legal structures may be more suitable for specific products or services.
In short, the legal form is a fundamental data point for selling more effectively using reliable, well-structured information.
Formats by country
Each country has its own classification of legal forms, with specific codes for each type of business entity. Below are the most common formats in Spain, France, Italy, and Mexico.
Spain
| Code | Legal form |
|---|---|
ES-A |
Public Limited Companies |
ES-B |
Limited Liability Companies |
ES-C |
General Partnerships |
ES-D |
Limited Partnerships |
ES-E |
Communities of Goods |
ES-F |
Cooperative Societies |
ES-G |
Associations and Foundations |
ES-H |
Homeowners’ Associations |
ES-J |
Civil Companies |
ES-N |
Foreign Entities |
ES-P |
Local Corporations |
ES-Q |
Public Bodies |
ES-R |
Religious Congregations and Institutions |
ES-S |
Public Bodies |
ES-U |
Temporary Business Associations |
ES-V |
Other Types of Companies |
ES-W |
Permanent Establishments of Non-Resident Entities |
France
| Code | Legal form |
|---|---|
FR-SA |
Société Anonyme (SA) |
FR-SARL |
Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL) |
FR-SAS |
Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) |
FR-SNC |
Société en Nom Collectif (SNC) |
FR-SCS |
Société en Commandite Simple (SCS) |
FR-SCA |
Société en Commandite par Actions (SCA) |
FR-COOP |
Société Coopérative |
FR-ASSO |
Association |
FR-EI |
Entreprise Individuelle |
FR-MEI |
Micro-Entreprise Individuelle |
FR-GIE |
Groupement d'Intérêt Économique (GIE) |
FR-AUTO |
Auto-Entrepreneur |
FR-EPIC |
Établissement Public à Caractère Industriel et Commercial |
Italy
| Code | Legal form |
|---|---|
IT-SRL |
Società a Responsabilità Limitata (SRL) |
IT-SPA |
Società per Azioni (SPA) |
IT-SNC |
Società in Nome Collettivo (SNC) |
IT-SAS |
Società in Accomandita Semplice (SAS) |
IT-SAPA |
Società in Accomandita per Azioni (SAPA) |
IT-COOP |
Società Cooperativa |
IT-ASS |
Association |
IT-IMP |
Sole Proprietorship |
IT-ONLUS |
Non-Profit Organisation of Social Utility (ONLUS) |
Mexico
| Code | Legal form |
|---|---|
MX-SA |
Public Limited Company (SA) |
MX-SRL |
Limited Liability Company (SRL) |
MX-SAPI |
Investment Promotion Public Limited Company (SAPI) |
MX-SC |
Civil Society (SC) |
MX-ASOC |
Civil Association (AC) |
MX-SC |
Cooperative Society (SC) |
MX-EI |
Sole Proprietor |
MX-SAS |
Simplified Joint Stock Company (SAS) |
MX-SCS |
Limited Partnership (SCS) |
MX-SCA |
Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) |
This classification enables standardisation and structuring of legal company information across different countries, facilitating validation and analysis.