Spain, a major European economy

Open and dynamic. Since the COVID-19 crisis, the Spanish economy has surpassed the growth rate of its European counterparts in 2021 and 2022. The forecasts also anticipate that Spain will grow comfortably above the European average in 2023 and 2024.

With a GDP of $1,2 trillion, Spain is the  4th economy of the EU - save for that of the United Kingdom - and the 14th in the world.

Spain is the 13th recipient of foreign investments in the world.

More than 14,600 foreign firms have set up their business in Spain.  

70 out of 100 top companies in Forbes Global 2000 operate in Spain.

Spain is the right place

for international expansion

 

Access to a large market

Characteristic

Large domestic market. The Spanish market comprises 47 million inhabitants and over 82 million visitors in 2019.

Characteristic

European market. Unrestricted access to the European market with its more than 500 million consumers and world’s highest purchasing power. 

Characteristic

Access to LATAM (more than 600 million consumers) and MENA (500 million consumers).

Africa, Middle Eastern and Latin America

Market

  Total population (thousand people)
Spain 47.3
European Union 446.8
Latin America 658
Middle Eastern and North African 472.4
Source: EUROSTAT, World Bank.

Spain is the gateway

to the European Union, North African, Middle Eastern and Latin American markets

International business

platform

The Spanish business sector is highly internationalized. Partnerships with local companies offer excellent opportunities to enter other markets. 

Spain is the 11th largest global exporter of commercial services, recorded at $115 billion.

Exports of Goods and Services as a share of GDP

Source: Eurostat 2019 (data, 2018)

Foreign multinationals established in Spain are responsible for approximately 44.5% of Spain's total worldwide exports.

Exports of goods and services by Geographical Destination

Source: Secretary of State for Trade (data, 2019)

Export of commercial services (excluding Tourim) by country of destination

Source: Secretary of State for Trade (data, 2019)

Attractive business

climate

Characteristic

The OECD FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index ranks Spain as the 10th country in the world with the least restrictive regulations for international investments.

FDI Index

Foreign investments in Spain do not require previous approval, as a general rule, with the exception of investments in activities that affect public security, public order and public health.