Thread: Businesses for sale in Spain

Hola, I am new here I am looking to buy a business in Spain with my partner and am having a hard time deciding because it appears there are just soooo many businesses for sale in Spain. Some areas are actually incredible - there are literally hundreds if not a few thousand on sale!

I think we know that we would like to focus somewhat on the gastronomy industry having vast experience with bars and restaurants in our country. We are also very keen on a coastal region as opposed to a city like Madrid let's say. But we know too little about the areas to be able to decide...

Perhaps someone can give us some insights or tips?

There does seem to be a lot of businesses for sale in Spain, however aparently 10% of all businesses everywhere are for sale at any one time.

Spain is a bit unusual as a lot of people who buy here come from abroad looking for a new life. This often doesnt work out and they have to sell the business often quite quickly after they bought it.

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Hello pmitchel thank you for your answer you seem to know a lot about businesses for sale in Spain, why do you think so many people fail?

Dear moniqueF

Welcome to the Absolute Spain Forum

We just launched the Guide to Spain with a specific section on Doing business in Spain. I suggest you look through it as it has several articles that you might be interested in.

My general advice is do a lot of research and always be flexible. You might have some idea or a specific picture in your mind about a certain business and a certain location. Not every place is suitable for every idea.

You may find that the most popular regions to buy a business are not that suitable for your business idea/concept or you may find that the region you want to relocate to requires you to adapt your business concept. In the end you need to find a good balance between idea/region and remember that the place where you set up your business will also be the place where you will live!

Don't forget schools (if you have kids), social environment, natural environment, language.....

I hope that helps and don't hesitate to ask any more questions here!

Hello greg thank you so much! I looked at those articles and just wanted to say thank you they have been a real eye opener for us! I think we will continue to research areas a bit before we go more into this project...

Hopefully be back soon for some more tips ¡Gracias!

Monique
I had a business for three years in Granada and it ended up failing pretty badly. I won't go into detail as it's still a painful memory for me but I would just make these comments:
- we eventually sold the business for a LOT lower than our asking price. If you do find something and it's been on the market for a while you may be able to get it much cheaper than advertised - not just 10% off or something.
- our business involved some catering to a Spanish clientele. We had all sorts of ideas at the outset - basically things that weren't available anywhere else in the area - and they didn't work. We found the customers to be very conservative and not open to menu ideas they weren't already familiar with.
- be very careful about employing staff which can be an expensive millstone when the business isn't doing well. Something you can run without employing anyone officially would be a safer choice.
Buen suerte!

Good morning bakeja, I had heard that when it came to food the spanish were not at all adventurous BUT on a recent visit to The Big House, Ayamonte this was far from true. Young and old alike were eating many dishes that were in no way spanish, the sushi seemed to be a great hit

Surely you are not advocating anything illegal re staff.

If its free the Spanish will eat anything! Go to a local food fair and see, its like scenes from the Wild West, stampedes for free food!!!