Kingdom of Spain
Capital: Madrid HDI: 0.869 (27th)
Language: Spanish
GDP (PPP): $1.566 trillion
Population: ~ 48.1 million
Currency: Euro
Spain is the second largest of the Southern European states and is the fourth largest economy of the Eurozone. The country is a high income economy with a high standard of living for its large population. Spain benefits from one of the most developed infrastructures in Europe that closely links it with the rest of Europe. The country was hit particularly hard by the late 2000s global recession but has since recovered with growth forecasts that are the highest of the major EU economies. The government has been committed to implanting labor and tax reforms that would attract greater investment after the financial downturn. Particular strong Spanish industries are construction, financial services, energy and retail.
RESEARCH
Economic Overview
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Export.gov – Home
https://new.export.gov/countries/ES
US Profile of Spain
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Spain – Economic forecast summary
http://www.oecd.org/economy/spain-economic-forecast-summary.htm
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.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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Export.gov – Leading Sectors for 2011
http://export.gov/spain/spainprofile/leadingsectors/index.asp
US Commerce Export.gov leading sectors report
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Business environment in Spain
http://www.expatica.com/es/employment/Business-environment-in-Spain_104045.html
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.
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Starting a Business in Spain
http://spain.angloinfo.com/working/starting-a-business/
Overview of starting a business in Spain from Anglo Info a global expat network
Establishing a Presence
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Requirements for Setting up a Business in Spain
http://spain.angloinfo.com/working/starting-a-business/setting-up-process/
Overview of the requirements for setting up a business in Spain
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Business Types – Types of Business Structure in Spain
http://spain.angloinfo.com/working/starting-a-business/business-structures/
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.
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Business Types – Types of corporations in Spain
http://spainlawyer.com/guia-legal/su-empresa/las-formas-que-puede-adoptar-su-empresa
Description of the six different business structures in Spain
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Business Registration Requirements – Starting a Business in Spain – Doing Business
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/spain/starting-a-business/
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.
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Business Registration Requirements – Starting a business in Spain
http://www.expatica.com/es/employment/Starting-a-business-in-Spain_101459.html
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.
Taxes
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Personal – Spain Personal Income Tax Rat
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/spain/sales-tax-rate
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.
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Personal – Spain – Taxes on personal income
http://taxsummaries.pwc.com/uk/taxsummaries/wwts.nsf/ID/Spain-Corporate-Taxes-on-corporate-income
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.
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VAT – Spain Sales Tax Rate | VAT
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/spain/sales-tax-rate
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.
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VAT – Spanish VAT – Meridian Global Services
https://www.meridianglobalservices.com/country-profile-spain/
Standard VAT Rate: 21%
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Corporate – Spain Corporate Tax Rate
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/spain/corporate-tax-rate
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
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Corporate – Spain – Taxes on corporate income
http://taxsummaries.pwc.com/uk/taxsummaries/wwts.nsf/ID/Spain-Corporate-Taxes-on-corporate-income
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.
Visas
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How to Get a Tourist Visa for Spain
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Tourist-Visa-for-Spain
Travel to Spain may require a visa, depending upon whether your country of citizenship is included within the Schengen Agreement.
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Work Permits – How to Get a Work Visa to Spain
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/work-visa-spain-100298.html
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.
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Traveling to Spain
http://madrid.usembassy.gov/citizen-services/information-for-travelers/traveling-to-spain.html
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.
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Spain Visa application requirement
http://www.learn4good.com/travel/es_visa.htm
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.
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Work Permits for Spain
http://www.expatarrivals.com/spain/work-permits-for-spain
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.
Infrastructure
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Ways to Travel Around Spain
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/ways-travel-around-spain-3438.html
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.
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Transport in Spain
http://www.tourspain.org/transport.asp
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.
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Telecommunications in Spain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Spain
This site offers information on telecommunications in Spain
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Telecom/IT – Spain – Key Statistics, Telecom Market and Regulatory
http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Spain-Key-Statistics-Telecom-Market-and-Regulatory-Overviews.html
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
Employer Obligations
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Labor Rules and Regulations – Spain Labor Laws
http://www.foreignstaffing.com/about/international-labor-law/spain-labor-laws
Spain Labor Laws
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Labor Rules and Regulations – PLC – Employment and employee benefits in Spain
http://us.practicallaw.com/8-503-1479?source=relatedcontent
Employment and employee benefits in Spain: overview
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Social Insurance – Unemployment benefits in Spain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_benefits_in_Spain
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
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Terms of employment – EUROPA
http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/staff/employment/index_en.htm#
EU website information on Spain employer obligations
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Social Insurance – Pensions and other benefits in Spain
http://spainlawyer.com/guia-legal/pensiones-y-subsidios/las-prestaciones-contributivas
Pensions and other benefits in Spain
Culture/Living
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Business Etiquette – Business meeting etiquette in Spain
http://businessculture.org/southern-europe/business-culture-in-spain/meeting-etiquette-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.
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Climate of the World: Spain
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Spain.htm
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 .
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Climate – Spain Weather, Climate and Geography
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/spain/weather-climate-geography
Spain’s climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south
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Food Prices in Spain
http://www.numbeo.com/food-prices/country_result.jsp?country=Spain
Food prices
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Cost of Living in Spain
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Spain
Numbeo’s list of cost of living in Spain
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Quality of Life in Spain
http://www.numbeo.com/quality-of-life/country_result.jsp?country=Spain
Quality of life in Spain
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Holidays and observances in Spain
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/spain/
List of Spain’s holidays. It is extensive.
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Public holidays in Spain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Spain
Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious (Roman Catholic), national and regional observances.
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Demographics – Spain Demographics Profile
http://www.indexmundi.com/spain/demographics_profile.html
Mundi Index for Spain listing population data and census data.
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Demographics – Spain Facts | Government, Economy, Demographics
http://country-facts.findthedata.com/l/131/Spain
Demographic data and facts
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Safegty – Safe Spain Travel, pick pockets and other scams
http://www.travelinginspain.com/safety.html
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.
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Education in Spain
http://spain.angloinfo.com/family/schooling-education/
Website describing Spain’s education system.
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Education in Spain – Spanish School System
http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/customs/education-in-spain
Schooling in Spain is state funded and is compulsory between the ages of six years and sixteen, given that no courses are repeated.
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Safety – Spain travel advice
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Latest travel advice for Spain including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health.
Trade
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Spain and the WTO
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/spain_e.htm
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.
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Spaniard Customs: Regulations, Export-Import
https://spain.visahq.com/customs/
Import and export regulations from Spanish customs
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Export.gov – Doing Business in Spain
http://www.export.gov/spain/spainprofile/index.asp
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
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Trade Regulations and Standards in Spai
http://www.globaltrade.net/f/business/text/Spain/Trade-Policy-Trade-Agreements-Trade-Regulations-and-Standards-in-Spain.html
Trade regulations and standards in Spain
Housing and Rentals
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Live in Spain – International living
http://internationalliving.com/countries/spain/live/
Housing information for persons living in Spain for an extended period.
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Spain Hotels, Hostels & Accommodation
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/hotels
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).
Travel
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Places to Visit in Spain
http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/spain/
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.
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Spain Travel Guide | Fodor’s Travel
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/spain
Beyond the traditional associations, this modern country offers top-notch art museums, inventive cuisine, and exciting nightlife.
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