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 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 the great international vocation, and strongly rooted in its local aspects, which attracts visitors and keep them here.

Barcelona offers very diverse elements which make it a really appealing 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.

Geographic location

Barcelona has always been a city open to the world. Barcelona’s calling has much to do with its highly strategic geographical location. Its port has played a fundamental role as the place of arrival for people from round the world and as a point of exchange of cultures. Barcelona is the "North of the South and the South of the North" and one of the gateways joining Europe, Africa and the Middle East, across the Mediterranean.

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 2700 foreign companies and International Barcelona hotels established here, with a satisfaction level of 97%. Barcelona is also becoming consolidated as a centre for multinational companies’ European division.

Quality of life

The top European city for quality of life. A stable climate, beaches, ski, a generous range of culture and leisure activities, a network of 4500 education institutions, a modern and accessible health service, easy access and travel by public transport. The city is surrounded by nature reserves.

City planning projects

Barcelona is in the middle of the largest city planning transformation in its recent history. The city is planning and infrastructure projects, especially building more hotels in Barcelona recently undertaken and currently in progressive are shaping the 21st century city, where economic growth, the maintenance of competitiveness and job creation will affect citizens’ lives.

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.

The Barcelona property market has risen strongly since 1997 with double-digit price rises in most districts every year with the exception of 1998. A growing Spanish economy, increasing employment, cheaper borrowing (lower interest rates and innovations in the mortgage market), a cultural preference for buying over renting, and the impact of rising foreign demand for property in Barcelona has pushed overall demand up whilst the supply of property has remained fairly constant (constrained by mountains and sea Barcelona cannot expand through sprawl). The increase in tourism to Barcelona has also increased the pressure on the property market as residential property in Barcelona's most attractive central districts has been converted into hotels. These supply and demand factors explain the tight property market, and robust price increases of recent years.