Spain is most famous for fantastic beaches, wonderful music and dance, bullfighting, and – in general – as a very hot tourist destination.

However, what many people do not know is that the country – and most specifically, Barcelona – is a great place for Expats to live and work.

The world's 51st largest country, Spain is a located in Southern Europe, bordered on the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea, on the north by the Bay of Biscay and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Spain shares land boundaries with Portugal, France, Andorra, Gibraltar, and Morocco.

On the northeast, the country borders France and the principality of Andorra. Spain includes the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and various uninhabited islands on the Mediterranean side of the strait of Gibraltar, known as Plazas de soberanía.

The country offers an ideal mix of old world beauty and customs alongside modern attractions, conveniences and architecture.

Located between the Llobregat and Besós rivers and between mountains and the sea, Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain, its chief port, and its principal industrial and commercial hub. International banking, finance, textiles, automobiles, machinery, aircraft, locomotives, and electrical equipment are among the main areas of business.

However, not that long ago, most Expats would not have considered living and working in Barcelona. But this formerly somewhat neglected city has re-invented itself – in a big way!

Economy: Spain & Barcelona

Spain boasts the eighth biggest economy worldwide and the fifth largest in Europe.

The country is recognized for avoiding the almost zero growth rate of some of its major partners in the European Union. Spain, in fact, was responsible for the creation of more than 50% of all the new jobs in the EU between 2000 and 2005.

The European Union has been the principal investor in Spain, while the United States - followed by Japan - was the single largest investor. In recent years, the services segment has been the main area of investment – most especially in the transportation, communications and financial segments.

Overall, the country’s economy is considered one of the EU’s most vibrant. This can be at least partly attributed to the phenomenal growth of the Spanish tourism industry, which is the second biggest in the world. By some estimates, Spain is on track to surpass – in per capita income – other leading EU members, including Germany.

Foreign investment in Spain has surged – largely associated with the country’s accession to the European Community in 1986 and the Government's programme to transfer state-owned enterprise assets to the private sector. Non-nationals took advantage of the lower-cost situation, and invested in many Spanish industries. The motor vehicle manufacturing industry there, in fact, is now almost entirely foreign owned. Spain is currently the sixth largest car producer in the world.

Barcelona is also firming its position as a key regional economic power. Its major industries include manufacturing, textiles, electronics and tourism. The economy of Barcelona has witnessed steady growth during the past decade and, while it houses only 4% of the Spanish population, the city accounts for more than 14% of the country’s GDP.

Doing Business in Spain

The Spanish Government has invoked a variety of policies aimed at making Spain more attractive to investors. Included in recent reforms:

• 100% foreign ownership of equity
• Liberal capital movements permitted
• Many economic incentives for new businesses
• Preferential access to official credit
• Bonuses for the acquisition of certain materials
• Real estate grants
• R&D incentives
• Numerous tax deductions & exemptions
• Guaranteed dividends
• Recruitment incentives
• Low interest loans

The incentives are offered to foreign companies under the same terms as they are to Spanish firms.

Another incentive for living and working in Spain: The country has been ranked as the EU’s least expensive for doing business. Spain offers a competitive, safe, steady and dependable location in which to conduct business.

Infrastructure

Spain has undergone swift modernisation over the past decade, vastly improving its transportation, telecommunications and banking infrastructure.

Among some recent improvements and positive infrastructure features:

• Good transportation links to all economic centres
• Significantly expanded highway network
• More than 30 international airports
• Over 40 large seaports
• High-speed train lines

In addition, the Spanish telecommunications infrastructure is in line with that of the European Union.

Barcelona has a well-developed transport network, largely improved during plans for the 1992 Olympics, when over £3.5 billion was invested in the Barcelona infrastructure improvements.

Cultural & Leisure Activities

As in most of the country, Barcelona features a wealth of leisure-time activities, day in, day out and year-round.

For instance, don’t worry about what the city has to offer in terms of night life – worry about how difficult it is to choose what to do. Barcelona nights are absolutely extraordinary!

Start off at one of the city's numerous cocktail or champagne bars. For those who love to dance, Barcelona offers loads of dance locales – to suit all tastes and tempos.

Do you like Flamenco? Then you’ve come to the right place! Flamenco, a authentic Spanish art, comes in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, the guitar playing. Gypsies are said to have played an important part in the formation of Flamenco. Flamenco dancing is major attraction for locals and expats alike in Barcelona – as well as throughout Spain.

But it Barcelona’s fun doesn’t stop at Flamenco. The city is chock full of discotheques, clubs, bars, cafés, and dance halls.

Fiestas – daytime and night time events – are also very popular in Barcelona – and throughout Spain.

Semana Santa - or Easter week – is well-known for its world-famous processions and fiestas. Another most popular event is El Rocio, a traditional pilgrimage to the village El Rocio in the province of Huelva. Another exceptional Fiesta is Las Fallas de San José in Valencia, in March, when the entire the city becomes the locale a massive party. The outstanding San Isidro fiesta take place in Madrid.

Carnival is also popular throughout Spain.

Bullfighting

Like Flamenco, Bullfighting is certainly one of the most popular – albeit controversial – of Spanish customs.

Bullfighting still takes place all across the country, and although other countries feature this form of entertainment, only Spain breeds the genuine race of bulls for bullfighting - the Toro Bravo.

Supporters of the custom view it as an art rather than a sport, and underscore its importance as one of Spain's oldest cultural traditions. Those opposed to the gory tradition have called for its be abolishment and insist that the cultural importance of the bullfight does not justify the fact that the bulls are killed solely for entertainment purposes.

Climate

Barcelona features a Mediterranean climate of mild, dry winters and warm, fairly humid summers. January and February are the coldest months, averaging temperatures of 10 °C. July and August are the hottest months, with average temperatures of 25 °C.

Expat Community

Following closely behind Cyprus, Spain has the second highest immigration rate within the EU, and the second highest migration in the world (after the United States). In 2006, Spain accounted for close to 45% of the total number of immigrants who arrived in the European Union.

Barcelona is the country’s second most populous city – with about 5.3 million inhabitants – and attracts a very large number of Expatriates. In fact, because of the city’s many attractive features, many Expats wind up staying there far longer than originally planned – and many choose Barcelona as their retirement locale.

If you are considering moving to Spain, there are many, many great prospects for you. And, as those who have come here will tell you, the locals are very hospitable and absolutely welcoming.

Barcelona is by no means a run-of-the-mill European city. It is a fantastic metropolis that offers Expats great work opportunities, mixed with a wonderful quality of life that is completely affordable.

Viva España!!!