Uncertainty abroad and weaker growth in Europe have not dampened the plans of Italian firms in Spain: most companies operating in Spain plan to expand, according to a new survey.
Growth plans
- 71% of Italian companies in Spain expect to increase their turnover and investment.
- 47% plan to hire more staff.
The figures come from the third barometer of the Italian investment climate in Spain, prepared by the Italian chamber of commerce in Spain (CCIS) with the consultancy Afi, which surveyed over 60 Italian firms operating in the country.
Confidence in Spain
- 94% of the companies view their presence in Spain positively.
- 93% intend to remain in Spain for five years or more.
According to the authors, Spain is establishing itself as one of the European markets Italian investors favour most.
How they rate the business climate
The overall business climate score rose by a tenth of a point to 3.3 out of 5, and nearly 60% of companies describe the conditions for investing and operating in Spain as “good” or “excellent”.
What they value
- Quality of life, which again tops the list.
- Stability and growth in the Spanish market.
- Location, as a platform for reaching other markets, including Latin America.
Sectors and regions
Energy remains the main destination for Italian capital, but new projects are appearing in chemicals, logistics and financial services. Investment is also spreading beyond Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia to regions such as the Valencian Community and Murcia.
Italian investment flows dipped slightly in 2025 amid global caution, but companies see this as a temporary pause rather than a change of strategy.
Jobs
More than 126,000 direct and indirect jobs in Spain are linked to Italian companies.
Italians in the Balearics
Italy is also one of the most important tourism and residential markets for the Balearic Islands, particularly for Ibiza and Formentera, where Italians form one of the largest foreign communities and run many hospitality businesses. The positive view of Spain among Italian investors is reflected in the islands too.
