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Reasons to invest

1 Dynamic and prosperous economy

Foreign companies choose the region of Madrid for its steadily increasing economy and many business opportunities. Madrid's economy was up 3.7% in 2018 and grew an average 3.9% in the last ten years. In addition, the region’s GDP accounts for more than 19% of the Spanish economy.

With a population of over 6 million and an average per capita income of more than €34,000, Madrid ranks third among European regions with the highest purchasing power. Consequently, this is an ideal market for new business projects.

2 International business decision center

Madrid is the political and business capital of Spain. It is also the country's financial and economic hub. The region of Madrid has the highest concentration of businesses in Spain (over 500,000 active companies). One in every five companies created in Spain is headquartered in the city of Madrid. Of the 2,000 largest Spanish companies, 72% are based in Madrid, and around 4% of Latin America’s GDP is managed by Madrid-based companies.

Madrid is the fourth European destination after London, Paris, and Amsterdam, in number of multinationals.

Two of every 3 Spanish companies in Forbes' Global 2000 ranking are based in Madrid.

Foreign companies set up their Spanish operations in Madrid to be near their client’s decision centers, and to take advantage of a network of business services and communication and technology infrastructures that allow them to efficiently run the business. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that Madrid received 85% of the foreign direct investment in Spain between January and October 2018. 

3 Human capital is highly skilled, diverse, and adaptable

Madrid’s professionals are qualified and flexible, with competitive costs that are in line with Western Europe. Madrid's workers are known for being well prepared, adaptable, and creative.

Madrid's higher education system comprises 12 universities – six public and six private – that provide businesses with around 40,000 graduates annually. Madrid has the highest number of students in Spain and one of the highest in Europe.

University graduates make up 50% of the human capital in Madrid.

Some of the most prestigious business schools in the world offer courses in Madrid, including the Instituto de Empresa, ESADE, IESE, EOI, CEF, ESIC and IEB.

4 Excellent geostrategic location

The region of Madrid is a perfect hub for monitoring the Iberian, (Spain and Portugal), European and North African markets, countries with high consumption potential and steady growth. Madrid has access to a potential market of 1.3 billion people: EU (500 million), Mediterranean (450 million) and Latin America (600 million).

Madrid is also the preferred location within Europe to do business with Latin America and to manage Latin American companies in Europe. 25% of the flights between the EU and Latin America originate, or arrive and depart from Adolfo Suarez-Madrid Barajas airport.

Spain is the second largest investor in Latin America, just behind the US; and 90% of Spanish multinationals operating in this part of the world are based in Madrid.

Madrid is at the center of a network of roads and railways that connect the entire Iberian Peninsula, and the rest of Europe, by land.

Barajas, located just 12 km from the capital and very well connected by subway, is the largest Spanish airport in cargo and passenger transport (ranking fourth in Europe in number of passengers, currently 53 million, and capable of handling up to 70 million).

Madrid has the largest inland maritime customs port in Europe, the Dry Port of Coslada, which facilitates the distribution of goods to the main maritime ports on the Iberian Peninsula. Thanks to intermodal transportation, many logistics companies in Spain are based in Madrid and currently represent more than 80% of the national turnover.

5 Leading center for science and technology

Madrid is at the forefront of scientific research and technological innovation in Spain and is the second European region in number of workers in high-tech R&D industries (27% of the total).

The region's 12 universities work closely with business and scientific research.

The region also has an excellent network of science and technology parks under the name Madrid Network (www.madridnetwork.org), which includes 11 industry clusters and six technology parks, as well as a current network of eight research institutes (www.imdea.org).

6 Provider of outstanding services and solid industries

The region of Madrid delivers outstanding services. Ever since the time of Philip II in the 16th century, Madrid has serviced other Spanish regions and countries. Today that tradition has expanded, and the region has become a major international hub for service providers.

Madrid's main economic industry is services, which generates almost 80% of the region's GDP. The region of Madrid also leads Spain in number of professionals working in this sector, with 2.4 million employees (17% of the national total). This means better access to professional services in terms of availability and price.

Madrid is distinguished for exceptional service in the areas of renewable energy, retail trade and distribution, aerospace and aeronautics, the tourist industry, and professional services (especially finance and banking, law, advertising and marketing, consulting, sanitation, and security).

7 Unique quality of life

Madrid offers not only excellent opportunities for investment, training, and professional growth, but also much more. The quality of life in Madrid is unique, since it has an international education system that begins in elementary school (more than 35 international schools, and 462 state schools teach in English); a universal healthcare system, and safety indices that are among the highest in Europe. The region also has many leisure, cultural, sports, and outdoor activities for all ages. Several of the region’s towns and villages are World Heritage Sites and have some of the finest art collections in the world. The regional cuisine can be sampled in a wide variety of elegant and traditional bars and restaurants.

Many people have already discovered Madrid – more than 12% of Madrid's population is made up of foreigners – and Spain and Madrid top of the list in categories of quality of life and preferred places to live and work (Cushman Wakefield, Financial Times/Harris, Monocle, Forbes, etc.). Those who live in Madrid confirm that work - life balance is possible.