All you need to set up a business in Spain is the NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero), which is a mandatory identification number for anyone setting up a commercial operation in the country. This number can be obtained from the Oficina de Extranjeros at the local police station or police headquarters.
The process is relatively simple and the NIE can be obtained within a month. Once you have the NIE, you can buy property, open a bank account, apply for a business permit and pay taxes.
There are several lucrative sectors for doing business in Spain. The tourism and hospitality industry throughout coastal Spain, especially in Costa Blanca, Costa Almeria and Costa Calida, is witnessing a boom like never before.
The number of tourists visiting Spain each year has crossed the 50 million mark and is still growing. There are around 300,000 holiday homes owned by non-residents, of which British nationals alone are reported to own over 45,000.
New residents are successfully doing business in Spain running schools, shops, medical practices, estate agencies, bars and restaurants, in fact the opportunities are only limited to your imagination and hard work.An example of an emerging sector is the 'photovoltaic' manufacturing industry. This is a way of generating solar energy for large-scale commercial applications as well as for the residential sector. Though in the early stages, this market has great potential and offers enterprising businessmen the chance to set up a business in Spain and capitalize on this new emerging market sector.
Apart from the ease of running a business, another advantage is the availability of excellent residential and commercial properties at great prices. Spain is the second home for many Europeans because the cost of property is significantly lower than countries like France, Germany and even parts of Italy.
The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa Almeria are among the biggest Spanish property hotspots, owing to their great tourist appeal.Significant infrastructure development is underway in these regions to cater to the tourist influx and the consequent demand for Spanish property.
Therefore, if you are not sure as to what kind of business in Spain you want to start, buying a commercial Spanish property as an investment may be a good option for you.
About the Author:
Dennis Collins, an eternal student and freelance writer, has lived and travelled abroad for 30 years and frequently writes on a variety of interesting and wide ranging issues. Find out more about purchasing a Javea Property in the sun today.