US Profile of Spain

Robust growth is projected over the next two years, driven by very supportive financial conditions, the depreciation of the euro, lower oil prices and strengthening trading partner growth. 

US Commerce Export.gov leading sectors report

To set up a business in Spain, it is essential to understand the business climate of the country as compared to other European countries. Even as all European countries but Spain climbed out of recession, setting a company in Europe’s fifth largest economy still has quite some unexpected benefits.

Overview of starting a business in Spain from Anglo Info a global expat network

Overview of the requirements for setting up a business in Spain

There are a number of procedures that need to be completed when setting up a business in Spain. The complexity of the procedures will depend on the type of business being created. It is highly recommended to consult a legal advisor (gestor) before and during the setup of any business to ensure full understanding of the taxes, charges and possible rebates that apply, and which of the many options are most suitable for a specific case.

Description of the six different business structures in Spain

Below is a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Spain. It examines the procedures, time and cost involved in launching a commercial or industrial firm with up to 50 employees and start-up capital of 10 times the economy’s per-capita gross national income.

If you are interested in setting up a company in Spain, you must first be aware of the different possibilities to enter the Spanish business market. 

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Spain stands at 52 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Spain averaged 48.45 percent from 1995 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 56 percent in 1996 and a record low of 43 percent in 2007. Personal Income Tax Rate in Spain is reported by the Agencia Tributaria, Spain.

The Spanish system for direct taxation of individuals is mainly comprised of two personal income taxes: Spanish PIT, for individuals who are resident in Spain for tax purposes, and Spanish non-residents’ income tax (NRIT), for individuals who are not resident in Spain for tax purposes who obtain income in Spain. 

The Sales Tax Rate in Spain stands at 21 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Spain averaged 17.31 percent from 2000 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 21 percent in 2013 and a record low of 16 percent in 2001. Sales Tax Rate in Spain is reported by the Agencia Tributaria, Spain.

Standard VAT Rate: 21%

The Corporate Tax Rate in Spain stands at 28 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Spain averaged 33.56 percent from 1981 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 1984 and a record low of 28 percent in 2015. Corporate Tax Rate in Spain is reported by the Agen

The general CIT rate in Spain is 28% for tax periods starting in 2015 and 25% for tax periods starting on or after 1 January 2016. Other tax rates may apply, depending on the type of company that is taxed and the type of business carried out.

Travel to Spain may require a visa, depending upon whether your country of citizenship is included within the Schengen Agreement. 

Foreigners who wish to work in Spain need to obtain a work permit before they leave their country. There are several different types of work permits for both employed and self-employed individuals that are valid anywhere from nine months to five years.

American citizens can enter Spain or Andorra visa-free for periods of up to three months. Spanish government regulations may require a return or on-going ticket or proof of funds. 

Visas must be applied for in person or through a duly accredited representative at the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post of the district in which the applicant legally resides.

In order to live and work there, expats must obtain a residence and work permit for Spain – notoriously elusive paperwork that requires any number of documents, depending on an individual’s purpose in the country. 

There are many ways to travel around Spain. Spanish transportation infrastructure makes it easy to get from one place to another on your own terms.

Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe with some 900 kilometres separating the Northern and Southern coasts, and aprox.1000 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Travelling in the country requires time to cover such long distances.

This site offers information on telecommunications in Spain

This report introduces the key aspects of the Spanish telecom market, providing statistics on the fixed-network services sector, and profiling the main players and their strategies to meet an increasingly competitive environment. – See more at: http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Spain-Key-Statistics-Telecom-Market-and-Regulatory-Overviews.html#sthash.sICUOssY.dpuf

Spain Labor Laws

Employment and employee benefits in Spain: overview

Unemployment benefits in Spain are contributory and non-contributory.[1] They are part of social security system in Spain and are managed by the State Public Employment Service (SEPE). Employers and employees contribute to the unemployment contingency fund and if an unemployed person fulfills certain criteria they can claim an allowance which is based on the time they have contributed and their average wage. A non-contributory benefit is also available to those who no longer receive a contributory benefit dependent on a maximum level of income

EU website information on Spain employer obligations

Pensions and other benefits in Spain

The way business is conducted in Spain is more relaxed compared to other Western European nations; you should be prepared for rather time-consuming and lengthy negotiations. You should allow sufficient time in your schedule for getting to know your business partners properly, before the start of negotiations. 

Spain’s climate. There are three different climatic zones in Spain. The website will provide information of the area you may be visiting, working in or living in .

Spain’s climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south

Food prices

Numbeo’s list of cost of living in Spain

Quality of life in Spain

List of Spain’s holidays. It is extensive.

Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious (Roman Catholic), national and regional observances.

Mundi Index for Spain listing population data and census data.

Demographic data and facts

Thieves come in the form of pickpockets, scam artist burglars and more frequently muggers. The bad news: As tourists we are prime targets for these thieves. 

Website describing Spain’s education system.

Schooling in Spain is state funded and is compulsory between the ages of six years and sixteen, given that no courses are repeated. 

Latest travel advice for Spain including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health.

This site provides information on Spain’s participation in the WTO. Spain has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 29 August 1963. It is a member State of the European Union(more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right.

Import and export regulations from Spanish customs

If you intend to do business in Spain, you should learn about Spanish business behavior. This site has prepared some important information for the U.S. exporter

Trade regulations and standards in Spain

Housing information for persons living in Spain for an extended period.

Spain’s accommodation is generally of a high standard, from small, family-run hostales (budget hotels) to the old-world opulence of paradores (state-owned hotels).

If you’re visiting Spain for the first time, be warned: this is a country that fast becomes an addiction. You might intend to come just for a beach holiday, a walking tour or a city break, but before you know it you’ll find yourself hooked by something quite different – the wild celebration of some local fiesta, perhaps, or the otherworldly architecture of Barcelona.

Beyond the traditional associations, this modern country offers top-notch art museums, inventive cuisine, and exciting nightlife.