BARCELONA, A GOOD INVESTMENT - Ajuntament de Barcelona

BARCELONA, A GOOD INVESTMENT
A practical Guide to doing Business in the City

2
LIBRARY OF CATALONIA (BIBLIOTECA DE CATALUNYA) CIP INFORMATION:
Barcelona, a good investment : practical guide to doing business in
the city
I. Borrell, Xavier, ed. II. Barcelona. Sector de Promoció Econòmica
III. Centre d'Innovació i Desenvolupament Empresarial (Catalunya)
1. Inversions estrangeres _ Barcelona _ Manuals, guies, etc. 2.
Barcelona _ Comerç _ Manuals, guies, etc. 3. Barcelona _ Condicions
econòmiques _ Manuals, guies, etc.
338.1(467.1 Ba Barcelona)(036)
The text may be reproduced total or partially with permission of Ajuntament de Barcelona and CIDEM.
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EDITION:
Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Council)
Sector de Promoció Econòmica (Economic Promotion Division)
Carrer Avinyó, 7, 1r
08002 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. +34 934 027 478
CIDEM (Centre for Innovation and Business Development)
Passeig de Gràcia, 129
08008 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. +34 934 767 200
COORDINATION:
Xavier Borrell and Isabel Carranza (Barcelona City Council)
Fina Sancho and Elisabet Forga (CIDEM)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Cuatrecasas and Clifford Chance Law Firms
DESIGN, LAYOUT, TRANSLATION AND EDITING OF TEXTS:
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Carrer Saragossa, 64, local 2
08006 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. +34 932 179 978
PRINTING:
Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Council)
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08038 Barcelona, Spain
B. 000 00 000
Barcelona, March 2006
No. of copies. 2.500

BARCELONA, A GOOD INVESTMENT
A practical Guide to doing Business in the City
3

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Barcelona is an open, tolerant and
cosmopolitan Mediterranean city full
of light; a remarkable urban space
with a strong personality. The atmosphere
transmitted by the city encourages creation
and innovation, turning Barcelona into one of
the European cities with the highest potential for developing new
generation activities. In the current globalisation framework, it is
precisely these characteristics which provide value to the city and
differentiate it from the rest: it is this personality, both cosmopolitan
with a great international vocation, and strongly rooted in its local
aspects, which attracts our visitors and keeps them here.
Faced by growing international competition, Barcelona and its
surrounding area, with its population of 4.6 million, is one of the
most important economic metropolises and has become
consolidated as one of the main European capitals for business. A
city which boosts its own personality and diversity and encourages
talent and creativity; a laboratory where ideas are conceived and a
significant creative community which attracts and receives the best
companies and professionals is brought together. Its great
international projection, privileged geographical situation and
accessibility, added to the complex business network in its area,
make it a very appealing location for business.
Barcelona is now reinventing itself, its eyes on the future, with an urban
and economic transformation which will provide over 7 million square
metres for new economic activity. The urban reform projects which are
defining our future will enable us to improve access to the city, as well as
its connections and communications, increase the offering and services
available to businesses, and improve quality of life for all citizens. All urban
projects currently in progress are increasing Barcelona's appeal and
consolidating the city as the main urban centre in the west
Mediterranean. The following are particularly noteworthy due to their size:
the transformation of the Poblenou industrial district, the new 22@bcn
technology district, the arrival of the new High Speed Train, the Delta Plan
- with extensions to both the port and the airport - and the extension of
the International Trade Fair (Fira Internacional), as well as the new
conference centre with capacity for 15,000 delegates.
Jordi Portabella
Second Deputy Mayor of Barcelona
Barcelona is moving towards the “laboratory
city” model. This refers to a city where new
ideas and concepts are emerging, a city
which is competitive not in terms of production
costs but in innovation and creativity, where products
are designed or improved, and where the
atmosphere, diversity and range of uses promote the creation and transfer
of knowledge. Barcelona, cutting-edge, dynamic and entrepreneurial,
sets trends. With its long industrial tradition, the Barcelona area is a very
important foreign investment attraction centre, especially for industry and
advanced services. 25% of foreign investment in Spain is concentrated
here, with 2,700 registered businesses, most of them in Barcelona city.
There is a constantly growing number of forward-looking companies
which choose to set up in Barcelona, and we are proud to observe that,
once established among us, their expectations are fully met. And the
international perception of Barcelona's potential as a new economy city is
also growing in importance.
This has been shown by many international economic indicators, such
as the recent Paris Chamber of Commerce study placing Barcelona's
area of influence as the second most appealing region for foreign
investment, second only to London; or the annual study conducted by
British consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker placing
Barcelona as the fifth best city for business in Europe and the top city
in Europe in terms of progress.
But Barcelona isn't just a city for working; it's a city for living. With its
stable climate, its openness to the sea, a magnificent selection of
culture and leisure options, a broad network of education and research
institutions at every level, a prestigious health service accessible to
everyone, and a serious commitment to sustainability, Barcelona has
the best quality of life in the whole of Europe. We are introducing the
first edition of the Guide to Barcelona, a Good Investment, jointly
prepared by the Economic Promotion Sector of Barcelona City Council
and Centre for Innovation and Business Development (CIDEM) of the
Catalan Government's (Generalitat de Catalunya) with the aim of
offering useful and practical information to everyone wishing to invest
and do business in Barcelona and become acquainted with its many
charms.
We hope that this new guide will help make the decision to settle in
Barcelona easier, as well as accelerate the process of establishing a new
economic activity.
Joan Clos
Mayor of Barcelona

Catalonia is a privileged part of
Europe for business activities.
Countless multinationals from
around the world, specialised in various
sectors, have chosen Catalonia to
conduct their business activities.
Barcelona City Council and the Centre
for Innovation and Business
Development (CIDEM) have joined
forces to create this publication which is
intended as a basic and simple advice
and guidance tool for anyone
considering starting up a business in
Barcelona. This guide is structured in
outline, in order to give you a general
idea of the steps to be taken into
account when starting up a business. At
the end of the guide, you will find the
websites and useful addresses you can
use to obtain more detailed information
on each step. We have also included a
list of the main incentives and subsidies
available to businessmen and
entrepreneurs.
Catalonia attracts a lot of investment,
particularly for industry and advanced
services. This has been shown by the
fact that already established companies
often make a strategic commitment,
carrying out new investments in order to
make their subsidiaries evolve towards
higher value added activities. The main
reason for this is the high satisfaction
level of companies already operating in
Catalonia. Barcelona and its
surrounding area, with its population of
4.3 million, constitutes one of the main
economic metropolises in Europe,
aiming to attract not just the best
businesses but also the best
professionals, who are the ones who will
generate wealth and increase
productivity. Catalonia's well-being and
development are at European levels. In
spite of its small size, Catalonia has a
great variety of cultural activities and
venues. It also provides a first rate
environment both for living and for
business. This helps keep company
staff satisfied and stable.
According to a study conducted by
Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker,
Barcelona is the best place for quality of
life, a position it has maintained since
1996. Its quality of life and the
perception of the Barcelona area as a
creative and cosmopolitan environment
are valued as strong points for attracting
and retaining talent and knowledge.
Proof of this is provided by the recent
trend of international entrepreneurs
choosing Barcelona for a new economic
activity. In the intensive globalisation
process undergone in recent decades
by the international community,
Catalonia has been able to establish
itself as the ideal location for setting up
large multinational companies. As a
result of this investment process,
Catalonia has become consolidated as
one of the most dynamic regions in
Europe in terms of attracting
multinationals: there are currently 3,000
such companies in Catalonia (600 of
which are industrial businesses).
Conscious of the importance and
positive effects of foreign direct
investment (FDI), and making use of its
exclusive powers in the industry context,
the Generalitat has put into practice an
active policy of encouraging business
investment in Catalonia. We are also
making a serious and clear
commitment at the Generalitat to boost
our companies' research, development
and capacity for innovation. We want to
place Catalonia in a top position in
Europe.
Catalonia offers
companies
making a
commitment to
our territory the
perfect balance
between a high
quality communications infrastructure,
an excellent university and research
network, highly qualified labour force, a
wide range of suppliers and an enviable
quality of life.
The Centre for Innovation and Business
Development (CIDEM), an organisation
belonging to the Generalitat's Ministry of
Employment and Industry, provides
professional and confidential support,
ranging from planning to
implementation, to all companies
wishing to invest in Catalonia, through
the Catalonian Investment Agency
(ACI). It also provides ongoing help for
future needs. The agency, which has its
headquarters in Barcelona, a branch in
Madrid, and foreign offices in New York
and Tokyo, offers its help and advice
services tailored to the needs of
companies which are considering
settling in Catalonia or expanding their
existing business in this region. The
Agency's mission is to boost financially
and technologically sound productive
business investments in Catalonia,
creating wealth and high quality, stable
jobs. We must direct all our efforts to
attracting new projects, in the form of
productive, strategic and innovative
investments, to our territory.
We look forward to welcoming you to
Catalonia.
Jordi Carbonell i Sebarroja
Secretary of Industry
Ministry of Employment and Industry
Generalitat de Catalunya
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CONTENTS
BARCELONA, A GOOD INVESTMENT
A practical Guide to doing Business in the City
1 ECONOMIC PRESENTATION:
1.1 I Ten Reasons to Invest in Barcelona 09
1.2 I Main Economic Indicators 10
1.3 I Location and the Property Market 17
1.4 I Trade Fairs and Conferences 22
2 HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA:
2.1 I Types of Business Organisation 25
2.2 I Steps For Starting Up a Business 27
2.3 I Tax Regime, Tax and Allowances 29
2.4 I Work and Residence Permits 32
2.5 I Employment Regime 35
2.6 I Incentives and Subsidies and Financing 39
3 USEFUL ADDRESSES:
3.1 I By Topic 43
3.2 I In Alphabetical Order 44

1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

1.1
TEN REASONS TO INVEST
IN BARCELONA
Barcelona offers very diverse elements which make it a really appealing place to live, work and do business. The city is
now a very interesting place for new economic activity, as shown by some of the good reasons to invest in it.
1. Strategic geographic location
Two hours by road from France and one
day from the main European cities. A
southern door to Europe, with its own
port, airport, Zona Franca, logistics
parks, international trade fair centre and
the city within a radius of 5 kilometres.
2. Complete transport
infrastructure
A motorway network connected to
Europe; the fastest-growing airport in
Europe; Spain's leading port and the largest
container port in the Mediterranean;
an extensive underground and overland
train and bus network; High Speed
Trains planned for 2007 and a connection
with the European network in 2009.
3. The centre of a large, dynamic
and diverse economic area
4.6 million people live in the Barcelona
area. It is the capital of Catalonia, with a
population of 7 million, and the centre of
the Mediterranean Basin, a large
economic area with 18 million
inhabitants. It accounts for 70% of
Catalonia's GDP. Its growth in 2004 was
3.1% of GDP, above the Spanish and
European average, and it is the sixth
largest urban agglomeration, as well as
the fifth largest industrial concentration,
in Europe.
4. Successful foreign
investment
It is the fifth best city for business in
Europe and accounts for 20% of annual
foreign investment in Spain. There are
2,700 foreign companies established
here, with a satisfaction level of 97%.
Barcelona is also becoming consolidated
as a centre for multinational companies'
European divisions.
5. An internationally
acknowledged location
Barcelona has some of the highest
positions in several international
rankings, which rate its urban reality, its
ability to attract foreign capital, its
entrepreneurial nature and the quality of
life enjoyed here very highly.
6. Human resources prepared
for the future
A great responsibility ethic, high
productivity (one of the highest in
Europe, according to the OECD), five
public universities, two private
universities and four business schools
(ESADE, IESE, EADA and IESKA), 27
international schools, great new
technology penetration, and a favourable
disposition towards innovation and
creativity.
7. Excellent quality of life
The top European city for quality of life. A
stable climate, sunshine, beaches, ski, a
generous range of culture and leisure
activities, a network of 4,500 education
institutions, a modern and accessible
health service, easy access and travel by
public transport. The city is surrounded
by nature reserves.
8. Large progressive city
planning projects
The largest city planning and
infrastructure transformation. Llobregat
Area: a commitment to logistics and
internationalisation, with the port and
airport extensions. Besòs Area: urban
renewal, sustainability and research
centres. La Sagrera-Sant Andreu: the
arrival of high speed trains. Poblenou
22@: the new technology and innovation
district. Two new districts: La Marina and
El Besòs, with a combination of
residential premises and economic
activity.
9. A Competitive set of available
properties
A large number of offices, commercial
premises and industrial buildings with
excellent value for money. The
construction of residential buildings is
also on the rise.
10. Unique private-public
cooperation
Barcelona City Council and the Catalan
Government have made a serious
commitment to business. The success of
the traditional private-public cooperation
has been key to Barcelona's
transformation.
In the following pages, you will find more
detailed information on Barcelona's
economic reality.
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1.2
1.2.1 BASIC INFORMATION
ABOUT THE CITY
Location
MAIN ECONOMIC
INDICATORS
Barcelona is one of the largest cities
in Europe. It is the centre of a large
metropolitan area of over 217
municipalities with 4.6 million
inhabitants. It is the economic,
cultural and administrative capital of
Catalonia, which is located in
northeast Spain on the Mediterranean
shore.
It is at the forefront of a 17-millioninhabitant
emerging area of economic
AREA AND POPULATION (2005)
activity in southern Europe, a
Mediterranean arch including the
Balearic Islands, the Autonomous
Regions of Valencia and Aragon, and
southeast France.
Barcelona metropolitan area is the
sixth largest urban agglomeration, as
well as the fifth largest industrial
concentration, in Europe.
Demographically, the city of
Barcelona is constantly growing richer
and more diverse; with 160
nationalities in 2004.
Barcelona currently has over 230,000
foreign residents. This is 14.6% of the
Population Area (km 2 ) Density (inhabitants/km 2 )
Barcelona 1.578.546 101 15.671
Metropolitan area 4.673.648 3.236 1.427
Catalonia 6.813.319 31.895 210
Spain 43.197.684 505.988 84
Source: Barcelona City Council and the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE)
EVOLUTION OF FOREIGN POPULATION
Europe 52.835 22,9
Asia 36.810 15,9
Africa 20.818 9
America 120.197 52,1
Australasia 282 0,1
Total number of foreigners 230.942 100
in Barcelona
Source: Barcelona City Council
January 2005 % of the total foreign population
city's population, a very close
percentage to other European cities
such as Madrid, Copenhaguen and
Hamburg among others, and higher
than the Spanish average of 8.4%.
The immigration of the last ten years
has brought to the city of Barcelona a
very significant increase in the
number of languages spoken in it.
The current language situation is 223
languages from 190 countries, a level
of diversity which promotes an
increasingly open and tolerant
metropolis.
Dublin
London
Paris
Barcelona
Amsterdam
Brussels
Geneva
Frankfurt
Oslo
Stockholm
Milan
Copenhagen
Berlin
Rome
Prague
Vienna
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

GDP
GDP at market prices
and inter-annual variation rate EU 25 EU 15 SPAIN CATALONIA
(2000 base index)
GDP (2004) (in millions of euros) 10.218.488 9.743.054 837.557 157.124
Annual growth rate in real terms.
GDP per capita (2004)
2,4 2,3 3,1 3,1
(in millions of euros) - 25.281 19.637 23.542
Sources: Spanish National Institute (INE), Institut d'Estadística de Catalunya (IDESCAT), Eurostat
Historically, Catalonian economy has
been one of Spain’s main economic
drivers and is still the autonomous region
with the highest Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) in absolute terms. In recent years,
it has followed a trajectory of expansion,
and short term growth forecasts are
positive.
1.2.2 A DIVERSIFIED
ECONOMIC
STRUCTURE
Activity by sector
The city’s wealth and development have
traditionally been based on trade and
manufacture. At the moment, the
economic activity’s structure is
characterised by the dominance of the
services sector and the maintenance of a
significant industrial base in the whole of
the metropolitan area.
In parallel to the process of moving a
large portion of the industrial sector to the
metropolitan conurbation, the industry
remaining in the central area has
strengthened its conversion to high value
added industry. It is formed by new
economic activities of an industrial
nature with branches such as
environmental services, culture
industries, the media, air transport and
others with great growth potential.
Specifically, in the 2000-2004 period, the
amount of medium and high-tech
industry in Barcelona and its
metropolitan area increased by up to
11.2% and 35.8% respectively. In the
services sector, especially in tourismrelated
services, high value added
occupancy has increased by over 33%.
Business structure
Barcelona has a large business network
very similar in structure to the European
one. There are over 417,000 small and
STRUCTURE OF THE AFFILIATION TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY GENERAL SYSTEM
ACCORDING TO BIG SECTORS (% /TOTAL) . 4 TH QUARTER 2004.
Barcelona Catalonia Spain
Agriculture 0,2 0,4 0,5
Industry 13,0 22,6 18,0
Construction 5,2 9,2 11,9
Services 81,6 67,8 69,6
TOTAL 100,0 100,0 100,0
Sources: Spanish National Institute (INE), Institut d'Estadística de Catalunya (IDESCAT), Eurostat
medium-sized companies (SME, known
in Catalan by the abbreviation PIME),
representing 99.7% of all companies.
Employment
Recent years have shown a very positive
picture of Barcelona’s job market. Both
activity and employment rates grew,
boosted by demographic growth and
good economic and business prospects,
and the job market picked up with an
increase in the number of employed
workers registered with the Social
Security system. Specifically, 25,000
new jobs were created in Barcelona in
2003 and 2004, of which 39% were in
high value added sectorst.
The gradual incorporation of legal
immigrants in recent years and the
increase in female employment and
activity rates, following the growing
tertiarisation of the production network of
the city and its metropolitan area have
been two very significant factors in the
boost of this expansion trend.
Barcelona's tertiary sector is growing in a
clearly entrepreneurial manner, as
shown by the fact that the strongest
increase in the last three years has been
in the number of registered selfemployed,
especially in the new
technologies sector.
The unemployment rate in 2004 was
6.2%, noticeably lower than that of
Catalonia, Spain and the European
Union.
1.2.3 FOREIGN INVESTMENT
IN BARCELONA
The Barcelona area is a very important
foreign investment attraction centre,
especially for industry and advanced
services. This can be seen in many
international economic indicators, such
as the annual study conducted by British
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consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield
Healey & Baker, which, for the first time
in its 2005 edition, named Barcelona as
the fifth best city in Europe for business,
thus raising it one position.
Already established companies very
often make a strategic commitment
through new investments in order to
make their subsidiaries evolve towards
higher value added activities. The main
reason for this is the high satisfaction
level (97%) of companies already
operating in the Barcelona area.
Number of Foreign Companies in 2004
70% of all Japanese companies and
50% of all German, French and North
American companies in Spain are in
Barcelona’s economic area. Over 50% of
foreign companies of an industrial nature
in Barcelona’s economic area belong to
the chemical, pharmaceutical and car
industries. The services sector accounts
for 42%, and construction for another
3%.
The Barcelona area is still a destination of
reference for attracting highly specialised
services such as administrative, financial
Barcelona 1.340
Metropolitan area 2.698
Catalonia 2.915
Source: Foreign Investment in the Barcelona Area (La inversió estrangera a l'àrea de Barcelona). Barcelona: Barcelona
City Council, CIDEM, 2004.
Foreign Investment in Catalonia (1994-2004) 30.022.220.000 €
Percentage in relation to the total for Spain: 15,57%
Foreign Investment in Catalonia (1st half of 2005)
Growth rate in 2005/2004. 25%
Percentage in relation to the total for Spain: 44,3%
Source: Foreign Investment in the Barcelona Area (La inversió estrangera a l'àrea de Barcelona). Barcelona:
Barcelona City Council, CIDEM, 2004.
and marketing services centres. These
centres are at the forefront of the current
process being undergone by companies
to become network structures with
independent units in different territories.
Trends
Barcelona is at the receiving end of a
growing flow of investment aimed at
creating management and services
centres, research and distribution
centres, software development centres
and design centres in the most varied
sectors, such as professional and
consumer electronics and the car
industry.
These are some of the sectors, activities
and forward-looking uses the city wants
to boost. This is why Barcelona has
decided to promote the establishment, in
the city, of financial activities and
businesses of large multinationals related
to design, knowledge, distribution and
customer call centres, also known by the
English names Call Centers or Customer
Relationship Management.
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

1.2.4 AN INTERNATIONALLY
RECOGNISED LOCATION
Barcelona has some of the highest
positions in the various international
rankings, which rate its urban reality,
its ability to attract foreign capital, its
BARCELONA, TOP 10
entrepreneurial nature for business
and the quality of life enjoyed here
very highly.
The European city which best promoted itself at an international level to attract Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker.
foreign investment in 2005.
The fifth best city in Europe for investing and doing business in 2005. Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker.
The city with the best quality of life in Europe in 2005. Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker.
Barcelona, the second most attractive European area for foreign investment in 2004. Chambre de Commerce de Paris.
Best European city for investing in 2004. FDI, Foreign Direct Investment.
(Group Finantial Times)
The European city which has advanced most in recent years (2005). Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker.
The European city of the future in 2004. FDI, Foreign Direct Investment.
(Group Finantial Times)
Best European city for transport in 2004. FDI, Foreign Direct Investment.
(Group Finantial Times)
One of the cities with the best growth prospects in Europe in 2002-2006. ERECO European Economic
Research Consortium.
One of the cities with the most competitive cost of living in 2004. UBS
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS 2005
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
CITY FOR
BUSINESS
LONDON
PARIS
FRANKFURT
BRUSSELS
BARCELONA
AMSTERDAM
MADRID
BERLIN
MUNICH
ZURIC
QUALITY
OF LIFE
BARCELONA
PARIS
STOCKHOLM
MUNICH
MADRID
ZURICH
GENEVA
OSLO
DUBLIN
VIENNA
Font: Cushman
Cushman
& Wakefield & Wakefield
Healey & Baker Healey & Baker
FOREIGN
INVESTMENT
RECEIVED
LONDON
PARIS
LYON
COPENHAGUEN
MOSCOW
BARCELONA
STOCKHOLM
BUDAPEST
PAS-DE-CALAIS
DUBLIN
GROSS VALUE
ADDED
FORECASTS
WARSAW
BUDAPEST
DUBLIN
ATHENS
MADRID
PRAGUE
STOCKHOLM
HELSINKI
BARCELONA
BIRMINGHAM
INTERNATIONAL
MEETINGS
ORGANISED
PARIS
VIENNA
GENEVA
BRUSSELS
LONDON
BARCELONA
COPENHAGUEN
BERLIN
ROME
STOCKHOLM
Ernst & Young ERECO Union
of International
Associations
SCIENTIFIC
PRODUCTION
LONDON
PARIS
MOSCOW
BERLIN
ROME
MADRID
CAMBRIDGE
MUNICH
BARCELONA
MILAN
Catalonia
Polytechnic
University
OVERNIGHT
STAYS
LONDON
PARIS
DUBLÍN
ROMA
MADRID
BERLIN
BARCELONA
VIENNA
PRAGUE
AMSTERDAM
Tourism
Marketing
Information
System
COST
OF LIVING
LISBON
LYON
HAMBURG
BIRMINGHAM
MADRID
BARCELONA
BRUSSELS
ATHENS
GLASGOW
BERLIN
Mercer Human
Resource
Consulting
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1.2.5 FIRST CLASS
INTERNATIONAL
EDUCATION AND
ACADEMIA
Thanks to its significant education
tradition, Barcelona is very well equipped
to continually improve quality in this area.
The network of education centres now
offers a very comprehensive selection of
study possibilities to provide an easy
solution to different situations and
education needs.
Universities and higher education
The city has eight universities and several
business schools of international renown.
In addition, there are eleven technology
transfer centres linked to the universities
which have received several awards for
their innovative initiatives from the
European Commission’s Directorate-
General for Enterprise and the
Information Society.
Barcelona has consolidated itself as a
first class university destination in terms
of number of universities, qualifications
and students.
International schools
There are several foreign schools in the
city and its surroundings, enabling
anyone wishing to do so to pursue
foreign curriculums in the city. There are
27 such schools in total, providing
teaching in five languages: English,
French, German, Italian and Japanese.
www.cidem.com/catalonia/cat/com/adreces/escoles/index.jsp
1.2.6 QUALITY OF LIFE: A
CITY TO VISIT AND
LIVE IN
Barcelona is a dynamic, modern and
diverse city, whose profound
entrepreneurial, commercial and
competitive spirit has for centuries
coexisted with the art of good living and
the enjoyment of the expressiveness of a
demanding culture and urban quality.
Its Mediterranean climate, the culture
and leisure options on offer and the
quality of life are key to attracting tourists
and businesspeople to Barcelona. The
city, located between the sea and the
mountains, enjoys temperatures of
between 23º C in the summer and 9º C
in the winter, and has 7 km of well
maintained beaches in the city centre
itself.
In addition, Barcelona has a highly
valued cultural offer: 46 theatres, 41
museums, 46 libraries, over 200 cinema
screens and countless concerts and
festivals held throughout the year. It is a
great city which brings to daily life the
inheritance of its architectural and
monumental heritage. It is the only city in
the world with eight World Heritage sites.
The city, so full of great examples of
Modernista architecture and works by
Gaudí, has been asserting its open and
progressive nature from the late 20th
century, with a new urban architecture
which has reached clear international
projection.
All this, added to first class public and
private services (education, health, etc.),
a high environmental commitment from
businesses, respect for quality and
occupational risk prevention, and a
Name of the Organisation Type Web
Barcelona University (UB) Public www.ub.edu
Barcelona Autonomous University (UAB) Public www.uab.es
Catalonia Polytechnic University (UPC) Public www.upc.edu
Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) Public www.upf.edu
Ramon Llull University Private www.url.edu
Abat Oliba – CEU University Private www.uao.es
Catalonia International University (UIC) Private www.uic.es
Catalonia Open University (UOC) Private www.uoc.edu
IESE Business school www.iese.edu
ESADE Business school www.esade.edu
EADA Business school www.eada.edu
IESKA Business school www.ieska.com
UNIVERSITY DATA FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2003-2004
First and second stage internal and approved university diplomas. 393 qualifications
University students. 204.000
Foreign students. 11.221
Source: Barcelona University Centre (BCU), 2004
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

public transport system combining
quality and price, make Barcelona a very
appealing city both for living in and for
doing business.
International comparisons
Barcelona’s international renown for the
quality of its city life and the gradual
internationalisation it has achieved has
been consolidated in recent years. This is
so to the point that it was chosen
European city with the best quality of life
for the seventh consecutive year in the
2005 European ranking published by
Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker
(C&W H&B).
On the other hand, Mercer Consulting’s
ranking of the most expensive cities in
the world placed Barcelona in 56th
place, and the Union de Banques
Suisses (UBS) placed it in 27th place in
its study taking into account citizens’
income level on the basis of salaries.
In summary, Barcelona is in a place of
preference in terms of economic activity
and business attraction, while
consolidating itself as a fantastic
European tourist destination offering
both visitors and residents modern and
inclusive city planning with a high quality
of life.
1.2.7 NEW CITY PLANNING
PROJECTS
Barcelona is in the middle of the largest
city planning transformation in its recent
history. The city planning and
infrastructure projects recently
undertaken and currently in progress are
shaping the 21st century city, where
economic growth, the maintenance of
competitiveness and job creation will
affect citizens’ lives. Later is a description
of some of the most emblematic projects:
District 22@
A project to transform the industrial
district of Poblenou into an innovative
production district, in the heart of the city,
offering modern spaces for strategic
concentration of intensive knowledge
activities. This initiative is both an urban
renewal project and a new city model in
answer to the challenges of the
Knowledge Society.
Scope: 200 hectares.
3.200.000 square metres of production spaces.
220.000 square metres for new facilities and
green areas.
4.000 new subsidised flats and houses.
An estimated 130,000 new jobs.
An economic potential of €12,000 million for
the whole operation.
+ www.bcn.es/22@bcn
Besòs Inter-University Campus
This relates to the creation of an interuniversity
campus for teaching and
research, linked to the new production
and business activity. It is in the new
Avenida Diagonal extension area, on the
coastline and the right bank of the River
Besòs. This campus, which is promoted
by the Barcelona 22@ innovation and
the large transformation being
undertaken in the Besòs area, will help
polish and modernise the current urban
grid.
160.000 square metres devoted to a new
approach to knowledge spaces.
Barcelona Biomedical Research
Park
This initiative is promoted by the
Catalonian Government (Generalitat de
Catalunya), Barcelona City Council and
Pompeu Fabra University, and aims to
place Barcelona at the forefront of
European transnational biomedical
research. It is a science project involving
both basic and applied research, in a
50,000 square metre space, able to
15

16
provide answers with perspectives
ranging from molecular to population
levels.
50.000 square metres.
80 research groups.
1.000 professionals, scientists and highly
qualified technicians.
+ www.prbb.org
Airport extension
The airport extension project is
coordinated through the Airport Master
Plan, which provides for the regulation of
activities in the airport premises and the
completion of the new passenger and
cargo terminals and of the whole airport
in general.
The aim is to turn Barcelona El Prat
airport into an international connection
airport which will be able to meet the
growing demands forecast between now
and the 2025 horizon. The main actions
envisaged by the Plan by 2007 are:
renovation and refurbishing of the
current terminal area, building the third
runway and extending the existing one,
the new South terminal, road and rail
access, the services area (air cargo
centre and aeronautical park), and
environmental action.
40 million passengers per year.
90 operators at the busiest times and 400,000
operations per year.
500.000 tonnes of goods per year.
250-hectare services area.
+ www.aena.es
Port extension
Work on the extension of Barcelona port
began in late 2001 with the placing of the
first stone of the east pier. When this is
completed, the port’s area and
infrastructures will have doubled,
enabling it to double its goods traffic too.
One of the port's main appeals will be
multi-access, thanks to the new road and
rail access, the arrival of the European
track width and the close proximity of the
airport. This extension, which will be
completed in 2010, will make it possible
for the port to become the main logistics
centre in Southern Europe.
1.265 hectares of land surface area (currently
558 hectares).
786 hectares of sea area (currently 374
hectares).
265 hectares of logistics areas (currently 65
hectares).
+ www.apb.es
Sagrera-Sant Andreu plan
This is a city planning transformation
project covering a large area of
Barcelona. It includes regulating the
railway infrastructures in the north of
the city, building the new La Sagrera
High Speed Train central station and
carrying out city planning
improvements on five districts around
the new rail complex, which will
involve covering the tracks and
creating a large linear park of over 4
kilometres in length connecting the
districts of Sant Andreu-La Sagrera to
Sant Martí. The details of the plan are:
Total area: 163 hectares (98 hectares of
offices and housing; 53 hectares of green
areas, and 12 hectares of facilities).
Construction of 8,000 new dwellings, offices
and commercial premises..
+www.bcn.es/urbanisme/tav
For information on other projects for
Barcelona and its environs, visit:
www.bcn2000.es.
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

1.3
1.3.1 OFFICES AND
COMMERCIAL
PREMISES
LOCATION AND
THE PROPERTY MARKET
Barcelona’s business spaces – over 12
million square metres of industrial areas
and around 4,500,000 square metres of
total office floor space – enable business
activities to grow and develop with
excellent value for money, especially with
regard to offices.
OFFICE MARKET ZONING IN THE BARCELONA AREA
Cornellà
Mas Blau
Traditional central area
Barcelona city.
Avenida Diagonal and
Passeig de Gràcia.
Sant Just Desvern
Sant Joan Despí
Zona Franca
Traditional business district
Barcelona city.
City centre and central
Eixample area.
BASIC INFORMATION RELATING TO OFFICES
Office space 4.906.634
Contracted surface area 413.000
Available space 295.000
Non-occupancy rate 6 %
Minimum and maximum rent prices (€/m 2 /month). 8,5 / 23,5
Source: Jones Lang Lasalle. 2005
Sant Cugat
Traditional secondary central
zone
Barcelona city.
Left and right Eixample,
boundary areas.
New central districts
Barcelona area.
Gran Via l’Hospitalet, Diagonal
Mar, 22@, Olympic Village and
Port.
Vallès Occ.
m 2
Inner periphery
Barcelona area.
Zona Franca, Mas Blau,
Sant Cugat Business Park,
Cornellà, Cerdanyola and
Viladecans.
17

18
SHOPPING STREETS AND DISTRICTS IN BARCELONA
BASIC INFORMATION RELATING TO COMMERCE
Number of commercial establishments 53.668
• Wholesale (26,6%) 14.280
• Retail (73,4%) 39.388
Non-occupancy rate 7,8%
Average rent prices (€/m 2 /year) 600
Total average sale price (€/m 2 ) 2.000
Source: Developed in-house based on data provided by Global Property Alliance, King Sturge and Barcelona City Council
ZONING OF BARCELONA'S INDUSTRIAL OFFERING
E-1
E-1
E-1
E-1
C-2
C-3
B-3
B-1
C-1
A-3
A-2
A-1
B-5
B-4
B-2
C-4
D-1
D-1
E-1
D-2
AVERAGE PRICES FOR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND PREMISES
Industrial building rent price (€/m 2 /month) 7,1
Industrial building sale price (€/m 2 ) 1.175
Industrial land total sale price (€/m 2 ) 707,5
Source: Forcadell and King Sturge.
Commercial premises
Commerce has always played a very
important role in Barcelona’s history. The
commercial sector is one of the activities
which best reflect the open mentality of
Barcelona’s inhabitants and the city’s
good economic development. In
addition, Barcelona has inherited a track
record as a successful Mediterranean
trading city.
In 2004, commercial sector turnover
rose to €32,664 million, 6.2% higher
than the previous year. This figure
represents 15% of the city’s GDP and
over 163,000 jobs. Barcelona has 17
open air shopping districts spread out
throughout the city. They are city areas
with high concentrations of shops. They
are generally shopping areas with a
different offering from the city centre.
1.3.2 INDUSTRIAL LAND
AND BUILDINGS
Barcelona is one of the cities with the
most real property available for industrial
activities in the Mediterranean Basin:
over 12 million square metres. In spite of
the limits on increasing this availability
with new industrial land, the metropolitan
area offers new opportunities around the
main road arteries. The general trend
indicates that the industrial land closest
to Barcelona city centre is gradually
being converted to mixed office,
warehouse and residential premises
Zona A
Barcelonès, Baix llobregat
Zona B
Vallès Oriental and others
Zona E
Second ring
Zona C
Vallès Occidental and others
Zona D
Maresme and others
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

RENT COMPARISON.
BUSINESS SPACES IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS OF THE WORLD (2004)
RENT Offices €/m 2 /year Commercial spaces €/m 2 /year Industry €/m 2 /month
Amsterdam 345 1.600 65
Athens 320 3700 85
Barcelona 260 600 80
Beijing 175 1.349 125
Berlin 288 2.280 72
Birmingham 418 4.732 91
Brussels 280 1.300 68
Buenos Aires 90 190 35
Chicago 270 1.321 104
Dublin 516 6.000 120
Hong Kong 461 3.664 45
London 908 7.882 190
Madrid 280 720 85
Manchester 396 5.047 84
Miami 265 209 74
New York 435 2.573 106
Paris 670 8.000 61
San Francisco 240 739 104
Shanghai 315 1.125 45
Taipei 172 1.059 136
Tokyo 720 575 138
Washington 370 530 116
Source: Global Aliance Property
19

20
1.3.3 AVAILABLE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
HOUSING BY DISTRICT
Les Corts
Sants - Montjuïc
Reference prices (2005) SALE RENT
Districts Newly built €/m 2 Second hand €/m 2 Average €/m 2
Ciutat Vella 4.200 3.900 10,4
L'Eixample 5.276 4.139 10,56
Sants 3.827 3.573 11,24
Les Corts 4.393 4.402 12,93
Sarrià - Sant Gervasi 7.856 4.906 12,9
Gràcia 4.335 4.006 11,21
Horta - Guinardó 3.430 3.359 9,93
Nou Barris 3.350 3.121 9,75
Sant Andreu 3.581 3.364 9,65
Sant Martí 3.636 3.700 11.15
Average for Barcelona 4.493 3.813 10,91
Source: Municipal Housing Trust (Patronat Municipal de l'Habitatge)
Sarrià - Sant Gervasi
L’Eixample
Ciutat Vella
Gràcia
Horta - Guinardó
Sant Martí
Nou Barris
Sant Andreu
2004 saw an upturn in the number of
dwellings in the market. The number of
dwellings available in Barcelona
increased by 10.1%. Residential
construction has focused on the
outskirts, which have more land
available, mostly free from other uses. All
this new residential construction has
increased its sale price by around
20.6%. The rental market, on the other
hand, has experienced a more moderate
growth: around 7.6%.
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

1.3.4 LOCATION
Barcelona City Council, through the
Economic Promotion Sector (Sector de
Promoció Econòmica), and the Centre
for Innovation and Business
Development (CIDEM), provide help and
advice to find spaces for economic
activities. There are also various
companies, institutions, guidebooks and
websites to help you find different types
of property (offices, commercial
premises, industrial land and buildings
and residential properties). Later is a list
of some of the main ones.
Name / type Description Web address
International property The main international estate agents
consultants. operating in Barcelona offer a wide *
range of locations
and services.
Company 22@bcn. State-owned organisation which www.bcn.es/22@bcn
manages the conversion of the
district of Poblenou into a technology
district. It provides information on
commercial premises and offices in
the area.
Pacte Industrial de A BCN metropolitan area organisation www.pacteind.org
la Regió Metropolitana. providing information on in dustrial
buildings & commercial premises.
Cimalsa. Integrated Centre for Logistics Activiti- www.cimalsa.es
es and Goods), a State-owned organisation
which promotes infrastructures
and facilities relating to logistics and
transports
Col·legi d'APIS. Official Estate Agents’ Association for www.apibcn.com
Barcelona city and province.
Col·legi d'Administradors Professional Association of Property www.coleadministradors.com
Administrators for Barcelona and
Lleida.
Business centres. Barcelona and its surrounding area
have a wide range of business centres
with all kinds of spaces and services
for businesses
Business incubators. Aimed at entrepreneurs with a viable www.barcelonactiva.es
business project who wish to start a
company and set up in the city.
Relocation companies Companies which offer all kinds of
services to help foreigners settle into
the city.
Real estate guidebooks Offices and commercial and residential
and portals premises are also marketed by means
of classified advertisements in newspapers,
property supplements in newspapers
and magazines, specific advertising
by estate agents, and also
through real estate portals on
the Internet
* Address lists are available from Barcelona City Council and CIDEM.
*
*
*
21

22
1.4
TRADE FAIRS AND
CONFERENCES
1.4.1 BARCELONA TRADE
FAIR (FIRA DE
BARCELONA)
Most of the trade fair and conference
activities held in the city take place at Fira
de Barcelona, which is one of the drivers
of the city’s commercial activity. Since its
creation almost one hundred years ago,
this is the leading such centre in the
whole of Spain and one of the top five in
Europe in terms of number of events
held.
Every year, Fira de Barcelona welcomes
over 30,000 exhibiting companies and
3.5 million visitors. In 2004, trade fair-
CONFERENCES AND PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS (2004)
related activities generated 2,000 million
euros of induced economy. Some of the
more than 70 shows organised by Fira
de Barcelona are in the top places of the
European trade fair ranking: Alimentaria
(food and drink sector), Sonimagphoto
(audio and photography), Saló de
l'Automòbil (cars), Hispack (packaging),
Graphispag (graphics), Caravaning
(caravans), and Saló Nàutic (boats).
Fira de Barcelona is formed by two large
centres: Montjuïc-1 and Montjuïc-2.
When the current extension is finished,
the centre will cover an area of 355,000
square metres, making it the second
largest in Europe
Number of meetings Number of participants
Conferences, seminars and courses 374 Conferences, seminars and courses 193.708
Conventions and incentives 772 Conventions and incentives 166.627
Total 1146 Total 360.335
Source: Barcelona Tourism Board, 2004.
1.4.2 CONFERENCES,
CONVENTIONS AND
PROFESSIONAL
MEETINGS
According to data from the International
Union of Associations, Barcelona is in
seventh place in the world in the
conference and convention tourism
market. The attached table contains
some data showing the active economy
in this area. From the spaces available
for organising conferences and
conventions in the city, it highlights the
Fira de Barcelona facilities (Palau de
Congressos and Centre de Convencions
- the Conference and Convention
Centres), the new Barcelona
International Convention Centre (CCIB)
and the Palau de Congressos de
Catalunya (Catalonia Convention
Centre). In addition, the Barcelona
Convention Bureau provides all kinds of
information and advice for the
organisation of conferences, meetings
and incentive trips.
1. ECONOMIC PRESENTATION

FIRA DE BARCELONA CONFERENCE AND
CONVENTION CENTRES.
(PALAU DE CONGRESSOS AND CENTRE
DE CONVENCIONS DE BARCELONA).
Fira de Barcelona is also a leader in the
organisation of industrial and
professional conferences, events and
conventions. It is one of the sector’s top
four institutions in Europe in terms of
number of events. It includes the
Conference Centre (Palau de
Congressos), located in the Montjuïc-1
premises, and a convention centre in the
Montjuïc-2 premises.
+ Information / Infofira
Tel. 902 233 200 | +34 93 233 20 00
www.firabcn.es
BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION CENTRE (CCIB)
CCIB was built for the 2004 Universal
Forum of Cultures. It is now the largest
convention centre in southern Europe
and its construction has greatly
advanced Barcelona’s position in the
conference and convention tourism
sector, since the city can now meet
demand for events of over 6,000
delegates and can hold 15,000 people in
a single place.
+ Information
Tel. +34 93 230 10 00
ccib@ccib.es
www.ccib.es
CATALONIA CONVENTION CENTRE
(PALAU DE CONGRESSOS DE
CATALUNYA)
It was built in 2001 and is part of the
Royal Complex, a deluxe complex
created by the Conference Centre itself,
the hotel Juan Carlos I, The Royal Fitness
and The Royal Catering, with the aim of
offering top level services tailored to each
client’s needs.
+ Information
Tel. +34 93 364 44 00
info@pcongressos.com
www.pcongresos.com
BARCELONA CONVENTION BUREAU
(BCB)
BCB is a Barcelona Tourism Board
programme specialising in providing
support for the organisation of events
and the promotion of the city as a venue
for meetings.
+ Information
Tel. +34 93 368 97 00
bcb@barcelonaturisme.com
www.barcelonaturisme.com
23

2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

2.1
TYPES OF BUSINESS
ORGANISATION
THERE ARE TWO BASIC WAYS OF
CARRYING OUT A BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN
CATALONIA:
On a self-employed basis, i.e. as a selfemployed
with unlimited liability
(including both business and personal
assets) or by creating a company, with
liability limited to business assets.
Choosing the appropriate type of
business organisation for the activity
depends on the investor’s interests and
strategy. Under the current legal
framework, there is a broad range of
possibilities with flexibility to adapt to the
particular needs of each investor.
2.1.1 SELF-EMPLOYED
This is the perfect way for a natural
person to carry out a business activity in
his or her own name on a regular basis.
The only legal requirements are that the
person who is to carry out the business
activity must be of full legal age (18 or
over) and have sufficient legal capacity to
carry it out.
The steps for starting up a business as a
self-employed are easier and cheaper
than those for starting a company, but
self-employed people are liable for the
business’ debts with their current and
future personal assets.
When a place of business is set up, its
name will be that of the person who owns
the business (although he or she may
work under a different trade name). Selfemployed
are governed by a special
Social Security regime called RETA
(Special Regime for Self-employed
Workers) with its own rules distinct from
the regime governing employed workers.
Any workers hired by the self-employed
must register with the general Social
Security regime.
A self-employed or self-employed worker
is one who conducts, on a personal,
direct and regular basis, an economic
activity for profit without being subject to
an employment contract.
If a foreigner wishes to carry out an
activity on a self-employed basis, he or
she must have the legal capacity to
conduct a business activity under the
national law of his or her country of
origin, and must obtain authorisation (the
relevant work and residence permit)
from the relevant Government office.
2.1.2 COMPANIES
This can be considered the most
common type of investment. There are
several types of company under Spanish
law. The main ones are the Public
Limited Company (Societat Anònima,
SA) and the Private Limited Company
(Societat de Responsabilitat Limitada,
SL), which are characterised by the
limitation of investors’ liability to their
contribution to the company.
25

26
The Public Limited Company (SA) form is
advisable for large businesses and/or
projects, both commercial and industrial,
and requires a substantial capital
investment, which can be obtained by
offering shares to the public.
However, many medium-sized
companies also choose this form of
business organisation because of the
ease with which shares can be
transferred. It is worth noting that there
are some sectors in which the
investment must be mandatorily made
through a Public Limited Company:
these include the banking, insurance
and television sectors, among others.
The Private Limited Company (SL) is the
form usually adopted by small and
medium-sized companies, because of
the lower minimum share capital
required. In any case, their high degree
of flexibility in terms of management and
organisation also makes them appealing
for setting up large businesses for which
these factors are relevant, such as
business partnerships or portfolio
companies.
However, if the entrepreneur is a foreign
legal person, it is quite common to set up
an entity without its own legal personality,
such as a Branch or Representative
Office.
Other structures may be interesting for
the establishment of specific projects,
such as Private Partnerships (Societats
Civils Privades), Economic Interest Groups
(Agrupacions d’Interès Econòmic) and
Cooperatives (Societats cooperatives),
although their use is less widespread
because the investors’ liability is
unlimited.
On the other hand, their great operational
flexibility and some particularities of tax
regimes which apply to them can make
them advantageous for certain projects.
Another business form is the New Firm
Private Limited Company (Societat
Limitada de Nova Empresa), a new subtype
of Private Limited Company which is
SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANISATION IN BARCELONA
much quicker and easier to incorporate
(24 h), through standard forms and
electronic media. It also has simpler
accounting obligations and a high degree
of flexibility. It is intended for small
business and individual entrepreneurs.
Below is a table summarising the most
common types of business organisation:
The steps required for starting up a
Self-employed Private Limited Public Limited Branches Representative
Companies Companies Offices
Divided capital. None. Stock units. Own shares. No capital No capital
of its own. of its own.
Minimum capital. Enough to carry out 3.005,06 €, 60.101,21 €, at least Assigned endowment. Own resources from
the activity. paid up on 25% of the minimum the parent. It is
incorporation. capital must be paid up not considered foreign
on incorporation. investment.
Public steps. Not required. Public deed Public deed Public deed Escriptura pública
Commercial Register. Commercial Register. Commercial Register. Registre Mercantil.
Legal personality. None. The company’s. The company’s. The foreign parent’s. The foreign parent’s.
Liability. Unlimited. Limited to Limited to Unlimited for the Unlimited for the
contributions. contributions. parent company. parent company.
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

2.2
business depend on the type of business
organisation the investor wishes to use.
Deadlines will vary depending on the
type of business organisation chosen.
Below is a summary of the procedures
for each of the business organisation
types most commonly used in Catalonia.
It is worth noting that, foreign selfemployed,
in addition to the tramits
mentioned in section 2.2.1, must first
obtain the work and residence permit
mentioned in section 2.1.1 and 2.4. In
some cases, and depending on the
activity to be carried out, the permit may
only be obtained after their qualification
has been officially approved.
In case of foreign associate (S.A/S.L), in
addition to the tramits mentioned in
section 2.2.2 , must obtain:
- Foreigners' Identification Code
(Número d’Identificació d’Estrangers
NIE) in any Government office or the
Spanish Consulate or Embassy.
- Declaration or authorisation of the
2.2.1 STEPS FOR SETTING UP AS A SELF-EMPLOYED
Steps
STEPS FOR STARTING
UP A BUSINESS
1. Census declaration confirming that
the provisional Tax Identification Code
(CIF) has been obtained.
Registration for the following taxes:
Value Added Tax (VAT) and Business
Tax (Impost sobre Activitats
Econòmiques, IAE).
2. Obtaining the required licences, authorisations
and administrative registrations.
3. Registration with the Special Regime
for Self-employed Workers (RETA).
4. Registering the business with the
Social Security system for registering
workers.
5. Notice of opening of the business
premises.
6. Legalisation of the records.
Description
Submittal of official form 036 to obtain the provisional
Tax Identification Code, which is also the
self-employed personal Tax Identification Number
(NIF). This step identifies the business activity for
tax purposes and notifies the administration of the
starting of the activity.
With regard to Business Tax, self-employed are
exempt from paying this tax but must provide
census information by means of the related return
These vary depending on the type of business
activity.
Compulsory registration with the Special Regime for
Self-employed Workers for self-employed acting as
individual entrepreneurs, TA-1 card form.
Compulsory registration of the business with the
Social Security system in order to register workers,
TA-1 card form for the first registration, and TA-2
card form with details of the business and the
workers.
Obligation to notify of the opening of the premises
in which the activity will be carried out.
These are the employment record register, and
the tax and accounts books (Journal, Inventory
Book and Annual Accounts).
The total time period is
approximately one week. (apart from any necessary administrative authorisations).
investment at the General Bureau of
Commerce and Investment (Dirección
General de Comercio e Inversiones) and
Foreign Investment Register (Registro
de Inversiones Extranjeras) of the
Ministry of Finance (Ministerio de
Economia).
In case of foreign administrators
(S.A/S.L.), they only have to obtain the
NIE.
Institution / Organisation
Any branch of the State Tax Administration
Agency (Agència Estatal de l'Administració
Tributària) for that address.
Deadline: before starting the activity
Public administrations: regional and local.
Deadline: before commencing the activity
Provincial Social Security Treasury.
Deadline: within 30 days following the
commencement of the activity.
Provincial Social Security Treasury.
Deadline for registration: within 30 days
following the commencement of the activity.
Deadline for registering workers: between 1
and 60 days before the commencement of the
activity
Provincial branch of the Ministry of
Employment Regional Service.
Deadline: 30 days following the opening of the
premises.
Labour Inspectorate in relation to the employment
record books, and the appropriate Commercial
Register for the address in relation to
the accounts and tax books.
27

2.2.2 STEPS FOR SETTING UP A COMPANY (SA / SL)
Steps
1. Certificate of availability of company name
(Certificació Negativa de Denominació
Social).
2. Opening a current account and requesting a
certificate confirming that the share capital
has been paid into the bank.
3. Drafting the company by-laws.
4. Granting powers of attorney.
5. Executing the deed of incorporation of the
company.
6. Census declaration that the provisional Tax
Identification Code (CIF) has been obtained.
Registration for the following taxes:
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Corporate Income Tax (Impost de Societats)
- Business Tax (Impost sobre Activitats
Econòmiques).
7. Paying Property Transfer Tax and Stamp
Duty (Impost de Transmissions Patrimonials
i Actes Jurídics Documentats, ITP i AJD).
8. Registration at the Commercial Register.
9. Obtaining the required licences, authorisations
and administrative registrations.
10. Registering the company with the Social
Security system.
11. Registering the workers with the Social
Security system.
12. Notice of opening of the business
premises.
13. Obtaining the definitive Tax Identification
Code (CIF).
14. Legalisation of the company records.
Description
It provides evidence that the name chosen for the company has
not already been taken by another existing company. The name is
reserved for 15 months. The certificate, however, is only valid for
two months, although it can be renewed, and it must be provided
at the act of incorporation before a notary public.
This is in order to pay in the minimum share capital and provide
evidence of this payment to the notary when executing the deed of
incorporation of the company
They set out the essential rules for the operation of the company.
A document whereby a member who is unable to attend the act of
incorporation of the company before a Notary Public empowers
another to appear on his or her behalf. This can also be granted
abroad if the document includes a 1961 Hague Convention
apostille (a stamp which gives effect in Spain to the power of
attorney granted).
This is the act of appearance of the members or their representatives
before a Notary Public formalising the incorporation of the company
Submittal of the official form (036) to obtain a provisional Tax
Identification Code which will identify the company for tax
purposes, and notifying the administration of the commencement
of the company’s activities. Submitting form 036 results in
automatic registration. New companies are exempt from paying
Business Tax during the first two years of activity. Following this
time, they will only be subject to this tax after a certain turnover
threshold.
This is 1% of the share capital and is necessary in order to register
the company at the Commercial Register.
This publicises the fact of the incorporation of the company by
which it gains legal personality..
These vary depending on the type of business activity.
Obligation to register the company with the relevant Social Security
regime. at Social.
Obligations relating to the workers´Social Security registration, TA-1
card form for the first registration, and TA-2 card form with details
of the business and the workers.
Notification of commencement of a new activity to the relevant
labour authority, regardless of its type and of whether or not the
business hires workers.
Obtaining the definitive Tax Identification Code card.
This consists of 4 books: the Journal, the Inventory Book, the
Annual Accounts, the Minute Book and, in the case of a sole
shareholder, the Register of Contracts with the sole shareholder.
Institution / Organisation
Central Commercial Register
(Registre Mercantil Central).
Any bank or savings bank.
Law firm.
Notary Public’s Office.
Notary Public’s Office.
Any branch of the State Tax Administration
Agency (Agència Estatal de l'Administració
Tributària) for the company’s tax address.
Deadline: before commencing the activity.
The Catalonian Government’s General Tax
Department.
Deadline: within one month following the execution
of the deed of incorporation of the company.
The Commercial Register which corresponds to
the company’s registered address. Deadline:
within two months following the execution of the
deed of incorporation of the company.
Public administrations (regional and local).
Deadline: before commencing the activity
The Provincial Department of the Social Security
Regional Treasury (Direcció Provincial de la
Tresoreria Territorial de la Seguretat Social)
which corresponds to the company’s registered
address. Deadline: before commencing the
activity and hiring the first worker.
The Provincial Department of the Social Security
Regional Treasury (Direcció Provincial de la
Tresoreria Territorial de la Seguretat Social) which
corresponds to the company’s registered address.
Deadline: before workers start to join.
The Catalonian Government’s Ministry of
Employment (Departament de Treball). Deadline:
30 days following the opening of the premises.
Any branch of the State Tax Administration
Agency (Agència Estatal de l'Administració
Tributària) for the company’s tax address.
Deadline: 6 months after the issue of the
provisional card (Step No.6).
The Commercial Register which corresponds to
the company’s registered address.
The total time period is
approximately 30 days . (apart from any necessary administrative authorisations and the Commercial Register registration).
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

2.2.3 STEPS FOR SETTING UP
A BRANCH / REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
The steps are similar to those required for setting up a company, although the following specific issues are worth mentioning:
Steps
1. Executing the deed of incorporation of
the branch / representative office.
2. Opening a current account and
transferring funds.
2.3
2.3.1 TAXES
Under current Spanish legislation, tax
obligations in Catalonia are among the
least onerous in the Eurozone.
In this section, foreign investors can
become familiar with the main tax
concepts which apply here and ascertain
their possible impact on business
activities.
The tax regime applicable in Barcelona
comprises several different taxes which
can be divided into direct, indirect and
local taxes:
Direct taxes: these are taxes payable on
income. In the case of economic
activities, tax is paid on the difference
between income and expenditure.
One must make a distinction between
income tax paid by natural persons
Description
The following documents relating to the foreign
parent company must be provided:
- Resolution of the relevant corporate body
egarding the decision to set up the branch or
representative office.
- Granting of powers of attorney to the
representative / manager of the branch /
representative office.
- Certificate of the registry or relevant authority of
the parent company’s country confirming the
validity of the parent’s existence, the currency of
its by-laws and the offices held by its directors.
Although no minimum capital is required, it must
be given the necessary funds to carry out its
business.
TAX REGIME,
TAX AND ALLOWANCES
(Personal Income Tax - Impost sobre la
Renda de les Persones Físiques, IRPF)
and income tax paid by legal persons
(Corporate Income Tax - Impost sobre
Societats, IS). The main difference is that
Corporate Income Tax always uses
accounts, whereas these are not usually
required for Personal Income Tax,
although records of income and
expenditure do exist.
In addition, there is a special module
regime for Personal Income Tax (in
which income is calculated on the basis
of objective parameters) if the limits
stipulated by the laws governing specific
activities - especially small businesses
such as bars/cafés and shoe shops - are
met.
- Personal Income Tax (IRPF) is a
progressive tax applicable to available
income, i.e. the total amount of income
received during the calendar year
minus specific essential minimum
Institution / Organisation
Notary Public’s Office.
Any bank or savings bank.
amounts determined by the law.
Taxation is based on a progressive rate
scale ranging from 15% to 45%.
Increases and reductions in assets
(generally sales of assets which are not
business stock) are taxed at a fixed rate of
15% (one of the lowest in Europe).
For foreign workers who have been
transferred to Spain, there is a regime to
reduce the cost to the employer: their
salaries (usually agreed as net amounts)
are taxed at just 25%.
- Corporate Income tax (IS) is charged on
income received by legal persons or
companies. The general rate is 35%.
However, small companies (with a
turnover of less than €8 million) profits
of up to €120, €202.40 are taxed at a
flat rate of 30%.
29

30
In addition, the tax rate is noticeably
reduced when certain legally established
tax benefits, such as those affecting
research, development and innovation
activities, are applied.
In addition, the deduction for reinvestment
of profit means that capital gains on
certain assets are taxed at 15% provided
the amount obtained from their transfer is
reinvested under the conditions stipulated
by the law.
Indirect taxes: these are taxes payable on
consumption. There are two main types
of indirect tax:
Value Added Tax (IVA) and Property
Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty (Impost de
Transmissions Patrimonials i Actes
Jurídics Documentats, ITP i AJD).
- Value Added Tax (IVA): this applies to
business activities and is ultimately
supported by consumers.
- Property Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty
(ITP and AJD): this applies to transfers
between persons other than
entrepreneurs and to certain real
property transactions.
GENERAL TABLE OF THE MAIN TAXES APPLICABLE TO BUSINESSES IN CATALONIA
TAXES
DIRECT TAXES:
on business profit
INDIRECT TAXES:
on consumption
LOCAL TAXES:
on other items
Local Taxes: City Councils charge various
taxes on economic activity:
- Business Tax (Impost sobre Activitats
Econòmiques, IAE): this tax is
calculated on the basis of objective
parameters, such as the activity and the
number of square metres of the
premises in which the business is
conducted.
There is an exemption for natural
persons and businesses with a turnover
of under €1 million.
PERSONAL INCOME TAX (IRPF)
(NATURAL PERSONS):
Progressive scale ranging from 15% to 45%
CORPORATE INCOME TAX (IS)
(LEGAL PERSONS):
General rate of 35% with certain allowances
VALUE ADDED TAX (IVA)
This is charged at three different rates: 4%, 7% and 16%
PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX (ITP)
On certain purchases of real property: 7%
On the incorporation of a company: 1%
LOCAL PROPERTY TAX (IBI)
On ownership of real property
BUSINESS TAX (IAE)
On the exercise of business activities (companies only)
OTHER TAXES
For rubbish collection, on ownership of vehicles, etc.
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

- Local Property Tax (Impost sobre Béns
Immobles, IBI): this applies to
ownership of real property, and the
amount charged depends on the value
of the property and the rate set by the
City Council in question.
- Other local taxes, such as the Tax on
Buildings, Works And Installations
(ICIO), which is charged based on the
value of certain works; the Tax on the
Increase of Value of Urban Land
(IIVTNU), a capital gains tax charged
on the transfer of real property; or the
road fund licence (Impost sobre
Vehicles de Tracció Mecànica),
charged on ownership of vehicles
which may be relevant depending on
the business activity.
TAX ALLOWANCES FOR RDI
Research and Development
2.3.2 MAIN TAX
ALLOWANCES FOR
FOREIGN INVESTMENT
Barcelona has one of the best tax
allowance regimes for technological
innovation, research and development
for companies worldwide. This Spanish
tax framework for RDI is acknowledged
by the Union of Industrial and
Employers’ Confederations of Europe
(UNICE) as the best in the OECD
(Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development).
Research, Development and Innovation
(RDI) Allowances: these can range from
10% to 70%.
In addition, it is possible to obtain an
administrative certificate for the amount
of the allowance, which confers legal
certainty on the applied allowance. This
allowance can also be applied by:
- Businesses carrying out R&D tasks for
foreign companies which are not
permanently established in Spain. In
such a case, the Spanish business can
include as R&D expenditure any
expenditure associated with R&D
projects commissioned by foreign
companies.
- Subsidiaries of multinationals
established in Spain which carry out
R&D activities from Spain for group
entities abroad may apply for tax
allowances for RDI activities in relation
to expenditure made abroad for up to
25% of the total amount invested in the
project, provided the main part is
carried out in Spain.
Spain also has one of the most
favourable tax regimes for holding
companies (ETVE) in the world.
Expenditure relating to R&D projects 30-50%
Personnel expenditure on qualified researchers an extra 20%
dedicated solely to these activities.
Expenditure relating to research and development projects an extra 20%
contracted with universities, public research agencies
or technology and innovation centres
Investments in tangible and intangible fixed assets 10%
(excluding real property and land) intended solely
for R&D activities
Technological Innovation
Expenditure relating to technological innovation projects 15%
contracted with universities, public research agencies
or technology and innovation centres
Expenditure relating to industrial design and 10%
production process engineering.
Expenditure relating to the acquisition of advanced technology in 10%
the form of patents, licences, know-how and designs (with a limit of 1m €)
Expenditure relating to obtaining a certificate 10%
of compliance with ISO 9000, GMP or other
similar quality regulations
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32
Holding Companies (Entitat de tinença de
valors estrangers - ETVE): This regime is
basically intended for those international
groups which wish to have a centre from
which to manage their holdings in
several countries. The only requirements
are the incorporation of a company in
Spain and the provision of securities from
the companies in which the ETVE has a
holding (provided they represent a
minimum holding of 5% or less but with
a cost of more than €6m, and provided
the companies in which it has a holding
conduct business).
Thanks to this privileged tax regime, an
ETVE with the above characteristics does
not have to pay tax on dividends received
from non-resident companies in which it
has a holding and its members do not
have to pay on the sums distributed by
the ETVE.
2.4
WORK AND RESIDENCE
PERMITS
Non - EU members wishing to carry
out any work or professional activity
for profit must be over 16 years of
age and have a visa and a work and
residence permit (authorisation).
This permit will allow them to work
and live in Spain.
EU citizens do not require a visa or a
residence permit, since freedom of
movement within the EU applies to
people as well as to goods and
capital.
This scheme has better incentives than
the Dutch one. In 2004, €6,605 million
(89% of foreign financial investment in
Spain) was channelled through this
scheme. These companies can also
carry out other activities.
Other interesting incentives are those
relating to Personal Income Tax (IRPF):
Regime applicable to workers established
in Spain:
This regime allows foreign workers to
move to Spain, reducing the cost to the
business, by taxing their salaries (usually
agreed as net amounts) at just 25%
instead of the usual 45%.
This regime applies during the year of
transfer to Spain and the five following
years.
EU + EEA + SWITZERLAND
These citizens may work and live in Spain without needing any permits.*
OTHERS
In order to work and live in Spain, they must obtain a specific permit and meet the
requirements stipulated in the Immigration Law. The main requirements are:
- Residence and self-employment
- Residence and employment by a third party
- Work permit for seasonal workers
- Work permit for transnational workers.
*Temporarily, until May 2006, workers from countries which have recently joined the EU (with the exception of
Malta and Cyprus) must obtain a permit to work and live in Spain
© Parc Científic de Barcelona, Raimon Solà.
The combination of these regimes
(allowances for RDI, ETVE and workers
who have been transferred to Spain),
together with a high quality of life, makes
Barcelona a particularly appealing place
to set up research and development
centres and business management
centres. These tasks can be brought
together into one company, which can
result in significant tax advantages.
EU 15:
Belgium, Denmark,
Germany, Greece, Spain,
France, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Austria,
Portugal, Finland,
Sweden and the United
Kingdom
Countries which have
recently joined the EU:
Czech Republic, Estonia,
Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania,
Slovenia, Hungary, Malta,
Poland, Slovakia.
EU 25:
EU 15 + countries which
have recently joined the EU
EEA (European Economic
Area): EU 25 + Iceland,
Norway, Liechtenstein and
Switzerland.
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

2.4.1 SELF-EMPLOYED
WORK PERMITS
A foreigner wishing to work selfemployed
must submit two
applications:
1. one for a residence permit
(in Spain)
2. one for a residence visa
(in his or her country of origin)
The order to present them will vary
depending on various factors, as is
shown in the following table:
IS THE FOREIGNER ALREADY LEGALLY RESIDENT IN SPAIN?
No residence visa is required.
YES NO
An initial work permit application
must be submitted directly to the
Immigration Bureau (Oficina
d'Estrangers) in Spain.
If the foreigner is in Spain on a
temporary basis he or she may
submit the initial work permit
application directly to the
Immigration Bureau in Spain and
then apply for a visa at the Spanish
Consulate office in his or her own
country. When the visa has been
obtained, the foreigner may come
into Spain as a resident and must
provide the Immigration Bureau in
Spain with a copy of the visa.
Two applications are required:
1) Application for a self-employed
residence visa (at the Spanish
Consulate office in the country
in which the interested party
currently resides).
2) Initial residence permit
application
If the foreigner is in his or her own
country of origin, he or she must
submit the work residence visa
application at the Spanish
Consulate office and, once the visa
has been obtained, come into
Spain and submit the initial work
permit application at the
Immigration Bureau in Spain.
The foreigner must wait for the decision regarding the granting of the work permit
before he or she can COMMENCE HIS OR HER BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Note: Temporarily, until May 2006, workers from countries which have recently joined the EU must obtain a permit to
work and live in Spain
33

34
2.4.2 RESIDENCE AND EMPLOYED
WORK PERMITS
EMPLOYER
The relevant forms and information can be found at the
Immigration Bureau in Spain or on its website. Does the worker
belong to one of the following groups?
- Top executives, people in positions of trust, or highly qualified staff.
- Service providers (installation of production lines, training, etc.).
NO
He or she must go to a
Catalonian Government
employment office
(OTG) to arrange the
“employment offer”.
He or she must submit the initial work permit application at the
Immigration Bureau in Spain. Is the worker legally resident in
Spain?
If the decision is positive,
THE WORKER IS HIRED.
YES
NO YES
L'empresa envia el resguard de sol·licitud al treballador.
The employer must send the proof of application to the worker,
and both the employer and the worker must wait for the decision
regarding the work permit.
If the foreigner is in
Spain on a temporary
basis: The employer
must submit an initial
work permit application
directly at the
Immigration Bureau in
Spain and give the proof
of application to the
worker. The worker or
his or her representative
must follow the visa
application procedure in
the Spanish Embassy in
his or her own country.
Note: Temporarily, until May 2006, workers from countries which have recently joined the EU must obtain a permit to work and live in Spain.
FOREIGN WORKER
Is the foreigner already legally resident in Spain?
YES
No residence visa is
required. The employer
must submit the initial
work permit application
in Spain.
RESIDENCE AND EMPLOYED
WORK PERMIT
NO
The application for an
employed residence
visa must be submitted
at the Spanish
Embassy of the
foreigner's place of
residence.
If the foreigner is in his
or her own country: The
employer must send
the proof of application
to the worker.
The worker must
submit his or her
application in person
at the Spanish
Embassy in his or her
own country.
Once the worker has obtained the visa, he or she must come into
Spain and give the appropriate copy to the Immigration Bureau.
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

2.5
EMPLOYMENT
REGIME
A very important part of Barcelona’s
assets is its people: very efficient and
highly qualified human resources who
will ensure the smooth operation of
the business.
2.5.1 THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
THE EMPLOYMENT
CONTRACT (I)
The employment relationship with the
staff is governed by the employment
contract pursuant to the Workers’
Statute (Estatut dels Treballadors).
WHO MAY ENTER
INTO ONE?
HOW IS IT
FORMALISED?
TRIAL
PERIOD
DURATION
Below is a brief explanation of the
characteristics of the employment
contract, the different types of
contract and the advantages of which
employers may benefit depending on
the type of contract entered into or
the group for which it is intended:
Persons of full legal age.
Emancipated minors.
Minors of between 16 and 18 years of age with parental
authorisation.
Foreigners in accordance with the Immigration Law.
An employment contract can be formalised orally except in
those cases in which written formalisation is compulsory by
law (training, apprenticeship, for a specific project or
service, for a specified duration of more than four weeks,
part time, permanent season contracts, hand-over
contracts, contracts for workers hired in Spain to provide
services to Spanish companies abroad).
This is optional.
If a trial period is agreed, it is governed by the applicable
provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, such a
contract may not exceed 6 months for qualified technicians
or 2 for all other workers (3 months in the case of
businesses with under 25 workers). This means that any
party may voluntarily terminate the contract without notice
and without alleging any grounds.
The employment contract may be temporary or for an
indefinite term.
In principle, all contracts are full time and for an indefinite
term, unless otherwise provided in the contract.
A worker can only be hired on a temporary basis if one or
more of the requirements envisaged in the applicable
legislation are met.
35

36
THE EMPLOYMENT
CONTRACT (II)
EMPLOYER
RIGHTS
OBLIGATIONS
THE WORKER
RIGHTS
OBLIGATIONS
To manage/organise the worker’s work.
To apply a policy of health and safety at work.
Other rights agreed in the contract.
The employer has a right to the performance of the
obligations agreed for the worker.
To act in favour of the observance of workers’ rights.
To register the contract at an employment office.
To provide the workers' legal representatives with a basic
copy of the contract.
To register the worker with the applicable Social Security
regime.
Other obligations agreed in the contract.
Effective occupation during the working day.
On-the-job training and promotion.
Non-discrimination for accessing the workplace.
Physical integrity and privacy.
To receive the agreed remuneration and to do so on time.
Other rights agreed in the contract.
To perform his or her obligations in accordance with
principles of diligence and good faith.
To observe health and safety measures.
To follow the employer’s orders and instructions.
To refrain from competing with the employer in the same
activity.
To contribute to improve productivity.
Other obligations agreed in the contract
© Centre de Realitat Virtual.
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

2.5.2 TYPES OF
CONTRACT
From the point of view of the duration
of the employment relationship, there
MAIN INDEFINITE TERM CONTRACTS
Type of Contract
Ordinary full time contract for an
indefinite term
Ordinary part time contract for an
indefinite term.
Permanent employment contract for
seasonal work.
Indefinite term contract for disabled
workers
MAIN TEMPORARY CONTRACTS
Type of Contract
Training contract.
Apprenticeship contract.
Contract for a specific project or service
Temporary contract due to production
circumstances.
Substitution contract.
are a whole series of permanent or
temporary contract possibilities
allowing businesses to meet all their
personnel requirements. 25% of
Requirements and Characteristics
Catalan employees work under
temporary contracts. This gives
employers greater flexibility.
Indefinite term employment contracts are mainly characterised by their unlimited duration.
The legal presumption that a contract is for an indefinite term applies when:
- The company does not register the worker with the applicable Social Security regime.
- It is formalised in breach of the law in order to avoid hiring the worker for an indefinite term.
A contract is presumed to be for an indefinite term unless otherwise stipulated in the contract
itself.
A part time contract is a contract agreed for a certain number of hours per day, week, month
or year which are less than the working hours of a comparable full time worker.
A “comparable full time worker” is a full time worker in the same business or work place,
with the same type of employment contract, and carrying out an identical or similar job.
It is an indefinite term contract entered into for the carrying out of seasonal work on a
permanent basis, which does not repeat on specific dates within the employer’s normal
volume of business. Permanent seasonal workers who repeat on specific dates are governed
by the legislation regulating part time contracts for an indefinite term.
It is an employment contract entered into with a disabled worker with specific characteristics
(such as a minimum degree of disability of 33%).
There is a €3,906.58 subsidy for each disabled worker with a full time employment contract.
If the contract is for part time work, the subsidy will be reduced pro rata to the agreed
working hours. There are also reductions in the employer’s Social Security payment for
common contingencies.
Requirements and Characteristics
The aim of this contract is to acquire the theoretical and practical training necessary for the
proper performance of a trade or qualified job. Generally, such contracts may be given to
workers of between 16 and 21 years of age who meet certain requirements. The contract
must be sent in writing and last no more than between six months and two years (with a
maximum of two six-month extensions).
It is a training contract entered into with a worker who has a university degree or a medium
or high level vocational training diploma, or a diploma officially recognised as being
equivalent. This job should give the worker the skills required for professional practice and
enable him or her to obtain professional practice appropriate to the studies taken. The
contract must be executed in writing and last no more than between six months and two
years (with a maximum of two six-month extensions).
It is a contract to carry out works or services with their own autonomy and substance within
the company’s business. In principle, although it will be limited in time, the duration of the
performance is uncertain. It must be executed in writing, clearly specifying the work or
service to be carried out. It can be for full or part time work. A maximum duration may be
stipulated by Collective Bargaining Agreements.
It is a contract entered into to meet market demands, clear a backlog of work, or meet an
excessive number of orders, even if it relates to the company’s usual business. It only has to
be executed in writing if its duration exceeds four weeks or if it is part time. In any case, it
can be full or part time. The maximum duration of such contracts is six months in any 12month
period, to be reckoned from the moment on which the backlog or excessive number
of orders begins. It is possible to stipulate otherwise by means of a collective bargaining
agreement.
It is a contract whose aim or cause is the replacement of a worker who is entitled to return to
that position, the filling of a post pending the arrival of a definitive worker during a
recruitment or promotion process, or during maternity or parental leave, due to the existence
of risk during pregnancy or temporary incapacity. This also includes the transition to a
situation of professional disability.
37

38
2.5.3 CONTRACTS WITH
SOCIAL SECURITY
ADVANTAGES
As an incentive to hire people
belonging to certain groups who, due
to their characteristics, find it difficult
to find a job, the Spanish legislation
provides a series of advantages.
The main recruitment advantages or
incentives are a reduction in the
social security contributions which
must be paid by employers. These
advantages basically consist of a
reduction in the common contingency
payments payable by the employer by
a specific percentage (between 25%
and 100%) for a specified time period
(not exceeding two years).
THE SPANISH SOCIAL
SECURITY SYSTEM
RECOGNISES A SERIES
OF BENEFITS WHICH
MAY BE EITHER:
2.5.4 SOCIAL SECURITY
Through the Social Security system,
the State guarantees the adequate
protection of the people included in
its scope of application, as well as the
relatives or assimilated workers in
charge of these people, on
occurrence of the contingencies and
situations defined by the law.
In the case of contribution-based
benefits (people carrying out a
professional activity), the employers
and/or workers themselves are under
an obligation to make Social Security
contributions in order to enjoy the
protection provided by the Social
Security system.
CONTRIBUTION-BASED
The main benefits are: health care,
temporary and permanent incapacity,
maternity, retirement, bereavement
benefits (for surviving children and
spouses) and family benefits (for
children under their charge, for
multiple births).
In the case of non-contribution-based
or assistance benefits, the Social
Security system guarantees minimum
benefits for those people who do not
carry out a professional activity or who
lack the necessary means, without
needing to have made contributions
first.
Employed or self-employed workers who have made Social Security contributions
for the time required by law
NON-CONTRIBUTION-BASED
People who have NOT made Social Security contributions for the time required by
the law. This type includes disability and retirement pensions.
* The Social Security’s scope of coverage or protection makes a distinction between common contingencies (such as maternity)
and professional risks or contingencies (such as professional illness or accidents at work). Common contingencies represent
a higher financial cost for employers.
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

Social Security Contributions:
The contribution base is composed of
the total remuneration received by the
worker with a few qualifications (there
are maximum and minimum
amounts). The amount of the
contributions is calculated by
applying a contribution rate to the
base established by the government.
Self-employed Workers (Special
Regime for Self-employed Workers,
RETA):
Self-employed workers are governed
by a special Social Security regime
EMPLOYED WORKERS
with its own rules distinct from the
regime governing employed workers
(RETA).
The maximum contribution base for
self-employed workers in 2006 was
€2,897.70 per month, and the
minimum base was €785.70 per
month. For workers aged 50 or over,
the minimum base was €809.40 per
month and the maximum was
€1,509.90 per month (although the
legislation includes some special
cases). However, in the case of
workers of 30 years or under and, in
some cases, women of 45 or more,
Employer Worker Total
the contribution base is between the
following amounts: 610.80 €/month
and 2,897.70 €/month. The
contribution rate is 29.80%. If the
worker has not claimed temporary
incapacity benefit, the contribution
rate will be 26.50%.
Employed Workers (General Regime):
In Spain, Social Security contributions
are paid by both employers (30.60%)
and employees (6.35%). These Social
Security payments are divided into
contributions for different items, such
as workers’ health care coverage and
coverage for temporary incapacity for
work arising from common illness,
non-work accidents, etc.
Common contingency contribution rate (%) 30,60 6,35 36,95
2006 Contribution Bases
maximum minimum
2006 monthly contribution bases. €2.897,70 € * 881,25
*(this will in any event depend on the worker's professional category).
2.6
INCENTIVES, SUBSIDIES
AND FINANCING
The investment incentives available in
Barcelona will encourage you to take
advantage of the many benefits
Barcelona can offer your company. In
order to provide the best possible
service to companies wishing to do
business in Catalonia, comprehensive
studies of the technical
characteristics of each investment
project are conducted and companies
are informed of all the available
incentives offered by the European
Union and by the local, Catalan and
Spanish administrations.
2.6.1 INCENTIVES AND
SUBSIDIES
The CIDEM website contains a search
facility for incentives and subsidies
(FISUB). This includes all programmes,
subsidies and financing offered by the
Catalonian and Spanish Governments and
the European Union. It has over 200
records which are updated on a daily
basis. These incentives are intended for
companies established in Catalonia,
regardless of the nature of their business,
and for our entrepreneurs. The database
shows not only those incentives which are
applicable at the time of the query, but also
any which are offered on a regular basis
during the current year.
2.6.2 FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
Financial support may be obtained by
means of various different
instruments, which may take the form
of incentives and subsidies, and
financing from own or external
resources, among others. These may
be provided by the Catalonian or
Spanish Governments, the European
Union or privately. These incentives
are intended for companies wishing to
set up in Catalonia, regardless of the
nature of their business.
39

40
Barcelona’s current financial
environment includes a great variety
of financial instruments aimed at
each specific need. The aim of this
programme is to promote the start-up,
growth and sustainability of innovative
companies and to help them access
the most appropriate financing for
their needs by generating and
disseminating good market practices.
Barcelona has a number of products
and services which provide financial
support with its own equity:
A) Capital Funds:
- Catalana d'iniciatives: a venture
capital company which supports
business growth projects, MBOs
and MBIs.
www.cidem.com/cidem/cat/serveis/
financament/propis/fonscapi/iniciatives/
index.jsp
- Invercat: a venture capital fund for
the internationalisation of Catalonian
enterprise.
www.invercatexterior.com/invercat.htm
- Innocat: a venture capital fund for
innovative Catalonian SMEs.
www.cidem.com/cidem/cat/serveis/
financament/propis/fonscapi/innocat/
index.jsp
- Invernova: a venture capital fund for
investing in innovative technologybased
businesses at the initial
development stages.
www.Invernova.org
- BCNEmprèn: a venture capital
company which aims to encourage
the creation of innovative and
technology businesses through the
use of investment financial
instruments and by giving strategic
support to these new initiatives.
www.bcnempren.com
- Invertec: a company which aims to
invest in technology-based
companies during the very first
stages
phases).
of development (initial
www.cidem.com/cidem/cat/suport/
emprenedor/inversio/index.jsp
- Finaves: a venture capital company
which aims to support the launch
and start-up of innovative projects
with growth potential, mainly
promoted by former IESE masters
students.
www.cidem.com/cidem/cat/suport/
financament/propis/fonsdecapital/finaves/
index.js
- Innova31: a venture capital
company which invests in
technology companies at the initial
development stages.
www.innova31.com
- Corsabe: a venture capital company
which invests in emerging sector
companies at the development
stage.
www.corsabe.es
- WebCapital: a venture capital
company which invests in
companies from the technology
sector at their initial stages,
including both initial and start-up
stages.
www.rivaygarcia.es/cas/capitaldes/
webcapital.htm
- Venturcap: a generalist venture
capital company.
+ Information: (+34) 93 467 80 80
- Aurica XXI: a generalist venture
capital company.
www.bancosabadell.com/en/NUESTROS_NE
GOCIOS/NEGOCIOS_SECTORIALES/CAPITAL_
DESARROLLO/
- Reus Capital de Negocis: a venture
capital company which buys shares
in companies from the food and
agriculture, tourism, environmental,
IT and biotechnology sectors at the
initial stages.
www.reuscn.com
- Landon Investment: a venture capital
company which invests in
companies of any sector.
+ Information: (+34) 93 240 52 00
2. HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN BARCELONA

- BanSabadell Inversió Desenvolupament:
a company specialising in
temporary investment in companies
with expansion projects.
www.bancosabadell.com
- Litexco: a company which invests in
development businesses of any
sector at the initial stages.
www.litexco.com
- Gestora Finances per a Emprenedors
(La Caixa): an initiative from La
Caixa bank to promote and invest,
through a participating loan of
between €100,000 and €200,000,
in new or recently created enterprise
projects.
http://portal1.lacaixa.es/Channel/Ch_Redire
ct_Tx?dest=1-13-10-00000002
B) Inversors Privats:
CIDEM has a network of private
investors to encourage the creation
and development of innovative
businesses with a high growth
potential in Catalonia which are willing
to fund new businesses or businesses
at the initial stages, and to advise and
work with them.
C) Public Financing Entities:
- Capital Concepte: by supporting the
technology springboards of
Catalonian universities, Invertec can
provide up to €100,000 in the form
of participating loans with prime
interest rates and repayment terms.
www.cidem.com/cidem/cat/suport/emprene
dor/inversio/index.jsp
- Institut Català de Finances (Catalan
Institute of Finance, ICF): a public
entity whose mission is to provide
financing to the private sector by
means of participating loans and
credits (external resources).
www.icfinances.com/home/c_home.as
- Avalis de Catalunya: a reciprocal
guarantee company whose aim is to
give financial and technical
guarantees to small and mediumsized
companies, self-employed and
professionals.
www.avalis-sgr.com
- Instituto de Crédito Oficial (Official
Credit Institute, ICO): a public entity
whose mission is to provide
financing for the private sector by
means of loans with prime terms
and conditions.
www.ico.es
- Empresa Nacional de Inovación
(ENISA): a company which funds
business expansion projects by
means of participating loans.
www.enisa.es
- Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico
Industrial (Centre for
INCENTIVES FOR INVESTMENT
Incentives for investment in mining areas.
Incentives for investment in reindustrialisation actions.
Support Programme for Job Creation through the Incorporation of New Activities (“Creació
d’ocupació mitjançant la incorporació de Noves Activitats”)”.
RDI (Research, Development and Technological Innovation) INCENTIVES:
1. Ministry of Employment and Industry (Departament de Treball i Indústria). Catalonian
Government (Generalitat de Catalunya).
There are different programmes according to the type of R&D project: R&D in strategic sectors:
pharmaceutical (including fine chemistry), aerospace, food and agriculture and machinery for
renewable energies.
R&D in sectors affected by international competition (priority is given to the car and motorbike,
textile and clothing, and consumer electronics industries).
Technology R&D platforms.
Outsourcing of RDI projects to local R&D centres.
2. PROFIT: R&D projects (Department of Industry, Tourism and Commerce; Department of
Education and Science).
3. CDTI: financing for R&D projects.
4. CIDEM incentives for the certification of projects as RDI activities (with regard to corporate
income tax allowances for RDI projects).
5. Tax allowances for RDI activities.
These allowances are applied to corporate income tax (IS).
6. Torres Quevedo: recruitment of doctors and technologists - Department of Education and
Science.
INCENTIVES FOR EDUCATION:
Ministry of Employment and Industry: subsidies to companies for professional training activities
with an obligation to hire. These are aimed at unemployed workers.
Ministry of Employment and Industry: a programme to support the training of unemployed people.
OTHER INCENTIVES
A programme to support the setting up of company head offices in Catalonia related to decision
centres or centres of excellence at the supraregional level.
Incentives to hire people belonging to certain groups.
Foundation for continuing education.
Industrial Technology Development,
CDTI): a body which, among other
things, offers loans to innovative
businesses at the initial stage.
www.cdti.es
There is a broad range of possibilities
for finding financing for your project.
The exact tools required to carry out
your activity, together with complete
and up-to-date expert information on
each of these financial products, are
put at your disposal to enable you to
choose the right source of financing at
any given time.
41

3. USEFFUL ADDRESSES

Public Administration (general)
- Barcelona City Council 07
- Barcelona City Council – Economic
Promotion Sector 06
- Catalonian Investment Agency 22
- Centre for Innovation and Business
Development (CIDEM) 23
Airports / Ports / Logistics
- Barcelona Airport 05
- Barcelona Port Authority 12
- Barcelona Logistics Centre 10
- Integrated Centre for Logistics
Activities and Goods (CIMALSA) 34
- Zona Franca Consortium 60
- Zona Franca Logistics Park 61
- Logistics Activity Area 35
- Pacte Industrial de la Regió
Metropolitana de Barcelona 48
- Sistema d’informació Metropolità
d’Activitat Econòmica (SIMAE) 51
Trade Associations and Official
Professional Associations
- Barcelona Medical Centre 11
- Barcelona Design Centre 08
- Barcelona Digital Foundation 09
- Foundation for the Development of
the Mediterranean Diet 30
- Environmental Forum Foundation 27
- Barcelona Aeronautics and Space
Association 04
- Official Association of Economists
of Catalonia 43
- Official Association of Industrial
Engineers 44
- Official Association of Notaries
Public of Catalonia 45
Tax
3.1
BY
TOPIC
- Tax Agency 55
- Ministry of Economy and Finance 38
- Cadastral Management and Tax
Cooperation 19
- Municipal Institute of the Treasury 41
Barcelona Economic and Social
Agents and Institutions
- Barcelona Stock Exchange 15
- Cercle d’Economia 24
- General Direction of Trade and
Investment 30
- Property Management and Tax
Cooperation 55
- Territorial Direction of Trade of
Catalonia 56
- Barcelona Promoció Foundation 13
- Airport Management and
Promotion 02
- Mercabarna 36
- Patronat Català Pro-Europa 49
- Strategic Metropolitan Plan of
Barcelona 54
- Casa Àsia 20
Institutions and Services
Supporting Enterprise
- Barcelona Activa 03
- Official Chamber of Commerce,
Industry and Navigation of
Barcelona 46
- Consortium for the Commercial
Promotion of Catalonia (COPCA) 26
- Foment de Treball 28
- Pimec 50
- Official Register – Unified
Management Offices 47
- Mercantil Register 37
Labour
- Workers’ Trade Union of Catalonia
(CCOO) 59
- Labour Inspectorate 34
- Immigration Bureau 32
- Ministry of the Environment and
Housing 39
- Social Security Treasury 52
- General Workers’ Union (UGT) 31
Tourism
- Barcelona Trade Fair 17
- Barcelona Tourism Board 16
- Catalonia Tourism Board 21
University / Scientific
- Barcelona University Centre
(BCU) 18
- Spanish National Research Council
(CSIC) 53
- Ministry of Universities, Research
and the Information Society
(DURSI) 40
- CIDOB Foundation 25
- Network of Science and Technology
Parks of Catalonia (XPCAT) 42
City Planning – Real Estate
- Barcelona Regional 14
- The Property Registry 58
- 22@bcn Society 01
Chambers of commerce and
foreign offices for commercial
affairs
- Chambers of Commerce 62
- Offices for Commercial Affairs 63
The numbering corresponds to the position in
the alphabetical classification on page 44 and
following pages
43

44
3.2
3.2.1 INSTITUTIONAL
ECONOMIC AGENTS
OF THE BARCELONA
AREA
- 22@bcn Society (Societat 22@bcn): a
body with legal personality which
brings together the appropriate
instruments and competences to
manage the transformation process of
the activity district 22@ with the
development and execution of all
kinds of city planning actions in
Barcelona city’s industrial and
production areas classified as forming
part of 22@, and therefore linked
together in terms of planning,
management, projection and
execution. 01
www.bcn.es/22@bcn
- Airport Management and Promotion
(Gestió i Promoció Aeroportuària -
GPA): its aim is to promote airportrelated
activities and take part in the
management and promotion of
infrastructures, to offer services for
aviation and air transport and to
contribute to the development of the
industry related to this sector. 02
www.gpa-aero.com
IN ALPHABETICAL
ORDER
- Barcelona Activa: this is Barcelona City
Council’s local development agency,
specialising in supporting the creation
of businesses and promoting the
entrepreneurial spirit, job creation and
business cooperation. 03
www.barcelonactiva.es
- Barcelona Aeronautics and Space
Association (Barcelona Aeronàutica i
de l’Espai - BAIE): an association
which promotes space and
aeronautics activities in the Barcelona
area and Catalonia. 04
www.bcnaerospace.org
- Barcelona Airport (Aeroport de
Barcelona): this is the second largest
airport in Spain in terms of number of
passengers, and the air hub which best
connects the Mediterranean area. 05
www.aena.es/barcelona
- Barcelona City Council – Economic
Promotion Sector (Ajuntament de
Barcelona - Promoció Econòmica) 06
www.bcn.es/barcelonanegocis
- Barcelona City Council (Ajuntament de
Barcelona) 07
www.bcn.es
- Barcelona Design Centre (Barcelona
Centre de Disseny - BCD): a foundation
which promotes design in the business
context as a key factor for innovation
and competitiveness. 08
www.bcn.es
- Barcelona Digital Foundation (Fundació
Barcelona Digital): a foundation which
promotes and encourages Barcelona
and Catalonia as a strategic centre for
creating and starting up innovative
projects, businesses and companies in
the new technologies and advanced
services. 09
www.bcndigital.org
- Barcelona Logistics Centre (Barcelona
Centre Logístic - BCL): an organisation
which tries to boost the Barcelona
area logistics community, coordinate it
and provide it with services and
infrastructure to consolidate its
position in the Euromediterranean
area. 10
www.bcncl.es
- Barcelona Medical Centre (Barcelona
Centre Mèdic - BCM): an association
which provides infor-mation regarding
the city’s health services and facilitates
access to Barcelona’s traditionally
internationally renowned hospitals,
clinics and health care units,
coordinating the available services. 11
www.bcm.es
- Barcelona Port Authority (Autoritat
Portuària de Barcelona): this sets the
guidelines for Barcelona Logistics
Activity Area (ZAL) and its future
expansion. 12
www.apb.es
- Barcelona Promoció Foundation
(Fundació Barcelona Promoció): a
private foundation for culture,
promoted by Barcelona Chamber of
Commerce, with the goal of promoting
the city of Barcelona. 13
www.barcelonapromocio.org
- Barcelona Regional: an agency which
analyses and makes technical
proposals for reflection in the city
planning development and in-
3. USEFFUL ADDRESSES

frastructure fields in Barcelona
metropolitan area. 14
www.bcnregional.com
- Barcelona Stock Exchange (Borsa de
Barcelona) 15
www.borsabcn.es
- Barcelona Tourism Board (Turisme de
Barcelona): consortium for the
promotion of tourism, divided and
customised, of the world’s most
appealing markets. It includes a unit
specialising in promoting conferences
and conventions: Barcelona
Convention Bureau. 16
www.barcelonaturisme.com
- Barcelona Trade Fair (Fira de
Barcelona): it organises industrial and
professional events. It is one of the
sector’s top four institutions in Europe
in terms of number of events. 17
www.firabcn.es
- Barcelona University Centre
(Barcelona Centre Universitary - BCU):
an organisation which promotes the
city as a university destination and
provides information and services to
foreign students. 18
www.bcu.cesca.es
- Cadastral Management and Tax
Cooperation (Gestió Cadastral i
Cooperació Tributària) 19
www.catastro.meh.es
- Casa Àsia: this is the Spanish doorway
to Asia and the Pacific region, and is
based in Barcelona. This public
institution aims to contribute to a better
mutual acquaintance and to facilitate
the exchange of culture, ideas and
projects of mutual interest. 20
www.casaasia.org
- Catalonia Tourism Board (Turisme de
Catalunya): a body which promotes
tourism activities in Catalonia. 21
www.catalunyaturisme.com
- Catalonian Investment Agency (Agència
Catalana d’Inversions) -CIDEM: an
organisation belonging to the Catalan
Government’s Ministry of Employment
and Industry whose main aim is to
boost production business investment
in Catalonia. 22
www.catalonia.com
- Centre for Innovation and Business
Development (Centre d’Innovació i
Desenvolupament Empresarial -
CIDEM): an organisation belonging to
the Catalan Government’s Ministry of
Employment and Industry, a service
which supports Catalonia’s business
network. 23
www.cidem.com
- Cercle d’Economia: an institution
founded in Barcelona to bring Spanish
social and economic life up to date. 24
www.circuloeconomia.com
- CIDOB Foundation (Fundació CIDOB): a
centre for research, teaching,
documentation and dissemination of
international relations and
development, based in Barcelona. 25
www.cidob.org
- Consortium for the Commercial
Promotion of Catalonia (Consorci de
Promoció Comercial de Catalunya -
COPCA): a body aiming to support the
internationalisation of Catalonian
businesses. 26
www.copca.com
- Environmental Forum Foundation
(Fundació Fòrum Ambiental): this
brings together the companies in the
Catalonian environmental sector. 27
www.forumambiental.org
- Foment de Treball: the Catalonia
business confederation, which
supports business activities and takes
active part in Catalonia’s economic
and business sphere. 28
www.foment.com
- Foundation for the Development of the
Mediterranean Diet (Fundació per al
Desenvolupament de la Dieta
Mediterrànea): an organisation
working to ensure a better knowledge
and appreciation of Mediterranean
products and lifestyle in every corner
of the planet. 29
www.dietamediterranea.com
- General Direction of Trade and
Investment (Direcció General de
Comerç i Inversions): the body in
charge of the registration process for
foreign investment in Catalonia. 30
www.mcx.es/polco/default.htm
- General Workers’ Union (Unió General
de Treballadors - UGT): a nationwide
trade union which is a founding
member of the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions
and the European Confederation of
Trade Unions. It is defined as a
working class trade union, with a
socialist orientation, for the
transformation of society. 31
www.ugt.es
- Immigration Bureau (Officina
d’estrangers): this bureau is the main
point of reference for information about
45

46
the phenomenon of migration.
Comprehensive up-to-date information
can be obtained here. In addition, work
applications and residence permits are
processed here. 32
www.infoext@oue.barcelona.map.es
www.mir.es
- Integrated Centre for Logistics
Activities and Goods (Centre Integral de
Mercaderies i Activitats Logístiques -
CIMALSA): a public company
belonging to the Catalonian
Government which plans, manages
and administers infrastructure and
equipment relating to transport and
communications. 33
www.cimalsa.es
- Labour Inspectorate (Inspecció de
Treball) 34
www.gencat.net/treballiindustria
- Logistics Activity Area (Zona
d’Activitats Logístiques - ZAL): a body
which manages services and facilities
for multimodal logistics activities in
Barcelona. 35
www.zal.es.
- Mercabarna: the largest food and
agriculture centre in southern Europe,
supplying over 10 million people. 36
www.mercabarna.es
- Mercatile Register (Registre
Mercantil): the body in charge of
registering public documents and
conferring on new businesses full legal
capacity to act. 37
www.rmc.es
- Ministry of Economy and Finance
(Departament d'Economia i Finances):
the body in charge of collecting the
various taxes. 38
www.e-tributs.net
- Ministry of the Environment and
Housing (Departament de Medi
Ambient i Habitatge): the authority
with competence in environmental
action matters. 39
http://mediambient.gencat.net
- Ministry of Univerities, Research and
the Information Society (Departament
d'Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la
Informació - DURSI): a department of
the Catalonian Government with
information regarding university and
research centres, data regarding the
information society, etc. 40
www.gencat.net/dursi
- Municipal Institute of the Treasury
(Institut Municipal d’Hisenda): its aim
is to manage, collect and inspect
taxes, prices to the public, fines and
other public law income for the City
Council, its independent bodies and
other public entities. 41
www.bcn.es/hisenda
- Network of Science and Technology
Parks of Catalonia (Xarxa de Parcs
Científics de Catalunya - XPCAT): this
groups together ten large production,
transfer, dissemination and use of
knowledge spaces, and acts as a point
of contact in the research and
innovation community. It comprises
university research centres and
groups, and research institutes and
businesses, and creates new
knowledge-based businesses with the
aim of creating added value in their
activities. 42
www.xpcat.net/
- Official Association of Economists of
Catalonia (Col·legi Oficial d’Economistes
de Catalunya): a professional body
offering services to economists as a
group. 43
www.coleconomistes.com
- Official Association of Industrial
Engineers (Col·legi d’Enginyers
Industrials): a professional body
offering services to engineers as a
group. 44
www.eic.es
- Official Association of Notaries Public
of Catalonia (Col·legi de Notaris de
Catalunya) 45
www.colnotcat.es
- Official Chamber of Commerce,
Industry and Navigation of Barcelona
(Cambra Oficial de Comerç, Indústria i
Navegació de Barcelona): an
independent body which defends the
interests of businesses and
entrepreneurs in the Barcelona area in
relation to their commercial and
professional relationship. 46
www.cambrabcn.es
- Official Register – Unified Management
Offices (Registre Industrial - Oficines
de Gestió Unificada): it manages, in
a unified manner, the steps under
the Catalonian Government’s
competence which must be taken to
start up an industrial activity. 47
www.ogu.es
- Pacte Industrial de la Regió
Metropolitana de Barcelona: this is a
regional association, formed by local
administrations, trade unions and
business associations, and a broad
range of bodies and organisations
linked to economic development
and the promotion of employment. 48
www.pacteind.org
3. USEFFUL ADDRESSES

- Patronat Català Pro-Europa: a public
consortium created in 1982 to
disseminate the information
generated by the EU institutions to
increase awareness of the EU’s
policies and actions in Catalonia. 49
www.infoeuropa.org
- Pimec: an employers’ association
targeted at small and medium-sized
businesses to defend their interests
and particularly to help them adapt
to the changing economic reality
around them. 50
www.pimec.es
- Sistema d’informació Metropolità
d’Activitat Econòmica (SIMAE): an
interactive consultation system
whose aims are to bring together
training and production systems and
the different agents in the region in
the context of economic activity and
innovation in the whole of the
Barcelona metropolitan area. 51
www.mcrit.com/simae
- Social Security Treasury (Tesoreria
de la Seguretat Social): a body
where businesses can register their
workers. It is also in charge of
collecting Social Security
contributions. 52
www.seg-social.es
- Spanish National Research Council
(Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas - CSIC): this is the largest
public research body in Spain. It
encom-passes all fields of
knowledge, from basic research to
the most advanced technological
developments. 53
www.csic.es
- Strategic Metropolitan Plan of
Barcelona (Pla estratègic metropolità
de Barcelona): a body which groups
together the initiative and involvement
of society to face the challenges posed
by the Barcelona of the future, from
both the scientific (headed by the
university) and the economic (with
business, institution and trade union
representatives) worlds. 54
www.bcn2000.es
- Tax Agency ( Agència Tributària): the
public body in charge of managing the
State and customs tax system as well
as the resources of other Spanish or
European Union public institutions
and administrations. 55
www.aeat.es
- Territorial Direction of Trade of
Catalonia (Direcció Territorial de
Comerç de Catalunya): this office,
belonging to the Ministry of Industry,
Tourism and Commerce, provides
information regarding external
markets, formalities and data on
exports, imports and commerce in
Catalonia. It is associated with the
Spanish Institute of Commerce Abroad
(ICEX). 56
www.mcx.es/barcelona
- Territorial Services of the Ministry of
Employment and Industry of the
Government of Catalonia (Serveis
Territorials del Departament de
Treball) 57
www.gencat.net/treballiindustria
- The Property Registry (Registre de la
Propietat Immobiliària): A record giving
notice of ownership of real property to
third parties. 58
www.registradores.org
- Worker’s Trade Union of Catalonia
(Comissió Obrera Nacional de
Catalunya - CCOO): federació territorial
del sindicat Comisiones Obreras,
d'àmbit estatal, que es defineix com
sindicat reivindicatiu, de classe i unitari
per a la defensa dels drets dels
treballadors i treballadores. 59
www.ccoo.es
- Zona Franca Consortium (Consorci de la
Zona Franca de Barcelona): a body
which develops strategic city projects
in the real property and logistics fields
and promotes economic activities
associated with the new information
technologie. 60
www.elconsorci.net
- Zona Franca Logistics Park (Parc
Logístic de la Zona Franca): a company
offering national and international
businesses a unique opportunity,
which will not be repeated, to set up
both their logistics activities and their
company headquarters in Barcelona.
This is consolidated as the main
logistics centre in southern Europe. 61
www.parclogistic.es
47

48
3.2.2 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND
FOREIGN OFFICES FOR COMMERCIAL
AFFAIRS IN BARCELONA
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 62
- American Chamber of Commerce in
Spain: (+34) 93 415 99 63
- American Consulate General:
(+34) 93 280 22 77
- German Chamber of Commerce in
Barcelona: (+34) 93 415 54 44
- Belgium and Luxembourg Chamber
of Commerce:
(+34) 93 237 94 64
- British Chamber of Commerce in
Spain: (+34) 93 317 32 20
- Chilean Chamber of Commerce:
(+34) 93 310 15 85
- Mexican Chamber of Commerce:
(+34) 93 215 45 60
- UK Chamber of Commerce:
(+34) 93 317 32 20
- French Chamber of Commerce and
Industry: (+34) 93 270 24 50
- Italian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry: (+34) 93 318 49 99
- Spanish Russian Chamber of
Commerce: (+34) 93 218 72 95
- Spanish Indian Chamber of
Commerce: (+34) 93 318 84 41
- Spanish Israelian Chamber of
Commerce: (+34) 93 321 94 49
- Spanish Norwegian Chamber of
Commerce: (+34) 93 414 40 41
- Spanish Swedish Chamber of
Commerce: (+34) 93 488 05 03
- Languedoc-Roussillon Chamber of
Commerce: (+34) 93 412 14 90
OFFICES FOR COMMERCIAL
AFFAIRS 63
- Danish Trade Commission:
(+34) 93 487 54 86
- Québec Government in Barcelona:
(+34) 93 481 31 88
- Italian Institute for Foreign Trade:
(+34) 93 415 38 38
- Argentinean Office for Commercial
Affairs: (+34) 93 302 22 16
- Austrian Office for Commercial
Affairs: (+34) 93 292 23 78
- Belgian Office for Commercial
Affairs: (+34) 93 487 81 40
- Hong Kong Office for Commercial
Affairs: (+34) 93 236 09 30
- Swiss Office for Commercial Affairs:
(+34) 93 330 92 11
- Toulouse Office for Commercial
Affairs: (+34) 93 201 23 31
- UK Office for Commercial Affairs:
(+34) 93 366 62 00
- Portugal Tourism Board –
Investments, foreign trade:
(+34) 93 301 44 16

BARCELONA, A GOOD INVESTMENT
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE ABOVE SECTIONS,
PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
www.bcn.es
CIDEM
Passeig de Gràcia, 129
08008 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. +34 934 767 200
www.cidem.com
A practical Guide to doing Business in the City
Ajuntament de Barcelona
Sector de Promoció Econòmica
(Economic Promotion Sector)
Avinyó 7, 1r
08002 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. +34 934 027 478
Fax. +34 934 027 597
www.bcn.es/barcelonanegocis
BARCELONA
Passeig de Gràcia 129
08008 Barcelona, Spain
Tel: +34 934 767 291
Fax: +34 934 767 303
catalonia@cidem.gencat.net
www.catalonia.com
MADRID
Montalbán 9, 2º dcha.
28014 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 915 241 000
Fax: +34 915 241 001
creyes@cidem.gencat.net
NEW YORK
445 Park Avenue, 14 th floor
10022 New York, USA
Tel: 1 212 775 8830
Fax: 1 212 755 8837
cidem@catalonia.com
TOKYO
Shuwa Kilicho TBR Building 1118
5-7 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-Ku
102-0083 Tokio
Tel: 81 3 3222 1571
Fax: 81 3 32222 1573
info@cidemtokyo.com
www.spain-japan.com/2/cidem