Starting a scooter hire business

First- Hello to you all!

Me and my wife would really like to move to Spain next year, far south with good expat and large tourist. Although im a trained plumber and can do all the trades ( i used to teach them in my training centre),we would like to start a moped hire biz. I know countless others must have said this but like most people, there is a lot of talk and very little action. I very much intend to see this through as long as it can work.

I know i need professional legal advice but need to start somewhere. Any help with the following would be so helpful, thankyou!

1, Is there any type of permission i need to run such a business?

2, Is the process of starting up such a business a lengthy process?

3, I will be importing the scooters from China, whats the relative costs for this? Do I get slapt for 100% import tax or the like??

3, What would be the best area for both expat community to make new friends and for greatest footfall from tourists, as we are talking scooters we are probably talking a younger age group. Having said this I would consider car hire.

Please, any advice would be so appreciated.

Kind regards!

1, Is there any type of permission i need to run such a business? No specific one. Registering as an autonomo or SL, get registered at the Tax office and Hiring the corresponding civil liability insurances

2, Is the process of starting up such a business a lengthy process? It is not. 24hours with the new Express License which will enter into force very soon.

3, I will be importing the scooters from China, whats the relative costs for this? Do I get slapt for 100% import tax or the like??

It will depend on number of scooters, but as a general answer:

3, What would be the best area for both expat community to make new friends and for greatest footfall from tourists, as we are talking scooters we are probably talking a younger age group. Having said this I would consider car hire.

Thankyou for that, Would it be costly for someone such as yourself to arrage all the paperwork for me and my wife to do all this and everything else to do with moving and buying a property in Spain?

I think you would need to settle on a very touristy area as that would be probably be the your main source of income. From national tourists and international tourists. so you you will need to study carefully the competition and seasons.

this is the tourist stats page for Spain on tourism - it might help narrow down the choice. 

http://www.iet.turismoencifras.es

From my experience the balearic islands are very successful when it comes to scooter rentals as the young travel without cars and its the cheapest form of transport around the islands. Howevver you will have work out how you will get a slice of the action as competition is agressive.

Thanks Ian!

We really want to stay on mainland spain due to distance from UK and property prices. I understand what you mean by tourists but is there nowhere say on Costa Del Sol that would fit the bill? Its also very important that there are a good amount of uk expats nearby so we can make friends along with the Spanish. 

On another note, I work as a chimney sweep and stove installer at the moment, im also a good qualified plumber, would it be any easier for me to earn a living doing this? Any help you can give would be great.

Again thanks.

Found 2 customers looking for upgrades http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD_NI7ZyMy4