Establishing Your Business in Castilla-La Mancha Region

Are you considering expanding your business internationally, particularly in Spain? Castilla-La Mancha emerges as an optimal strategic choice for establishing your company. Nestled in the heart of the country and in close proximity to Madrid, this region encompasses 17 autonomous communities, housing significant provinces such as Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo.

Covering an area of 79,413.13 km² and with a population of 2,058,049 as of January 2023, constituting 4.43% of the total Spanish population, Castilla-La Mancha offers significant developmental potential. This dynamic region stands as a strategic imperative for entrepreneurs looking to initiate or expand their business.

A Strategic Hub for Entrepreneurs

Castilla-La Mancha stands out for its outstanding infrastructure and top-notch communication networks, fortifying its strategic position in Spain. It serves as a crucial link between Europe and North Africa, providing direct access to over 50% of Spanish consumers.

The region boasts exceptional connectivity through highways and high-speed railways, totaling over 1,800 kilometers of highways and high-speed rail links to all capitals. Businesses choosing to establish themselves in this region also benefit from the proximity of two major airports, ensuring swift access to the Madrid-Barajas International Airport.

Castilla-La Mancha, an Industrial Powerhouse

The Castilla-La Mancha region presents a rich ecosystem, specializing in various strategic sectors, including agri-food, logistics, aerospace, energy and environment, information and communication technologies (ICT), metallurgy, bioeconomy, as well as tourism and culture.

With over 275 established companies in the region, creating a total of 18,525 jobs, the gross domestic product (GDP) reached €42,286 million in 2021, marking a historic record thanks to foreign direct investments of €567 million in 2022.

Many Spanish companies have chosen to establish their operations in this region, including Repsol, Fertiberia, Janssen, Gestamp, Mahle, Exide Technologies, BASF, and Tecnove. Many of them are affiliated with the Industrial Technology Center of Castilla-La Mancha (ITECAM), which promotes competitiveness and research and development by leading the metallurgical cluster of Castilla-La Mancha.

The region has also successfully attracted multinational companies such as Amazon, GXO, DHL, Michelin, Nokian Tyres, Puy du Fou, Airbus, and many others. Exports from the region in 2022 amounted to €10,273 million, showing an increase of over 13.5% compared to 2021.

To encourage business development in the region, Castilla-La Mancha offers extensive industrial land distributed across various sites, including eight strategic industrial zones with high growth potential. The strategic position of the region provides numerous opportunities for the implementation of new projects. The law on projects of particular interest allows for land reallocation, reducing the time required for project implementation and paving the way for the creation of new industrial development zones. It is a real development opportunity for project leaders.

Talented Workforce for Entrepreneurs in Castilla-La Mancha Region

The region of Castilla-La Mancha boasts an active workforce of 1,019,600 highly qualified individuals, including over 30,000 university students and a wide selection of 930 vocational training programs available in its territory.

Among the renowned educational institutions are the University of Alcalá (UAH) and the University of Castilla-La Mancha. UCLM offers no less than 50 undergraduate programs covering various fields of knowledge, including 4 bilingual programs, and 45 postgraduate programs, including 2 bilingual and 2 entirely in English. This university hosts 31 research centers with 175 research groups dedicated to advancing knowledge.

On the other hand, UAH offers 46 undergraduate programs and has an excellent reputation for employability in Spain. It has also carried out over 600 research projects and filed 74 patents in the last five years.

A Region Focused on Innovation and Research and Development

The dynamic industrial ecosystem of the Castilla-La Mancha region supports innovation and research and development, with a particular focus on future challenges, especially in the field of green energy.

The region has numerous structures dedicated to R&D&I, including the Castilla Scientific and Technological Park, the National Hydrogen Center (specialized in hydrogen and fuel cells), Innocam (focused on digital innovation), the Institute of Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC, specialized in solar energy), and Clamber (active in the field of bioeconomy).

A Region Supporting Entrepreneurs Through Grants and Funding

The Castilla-La Mancha region provides significant support to businesses, implementing investment-friendly regulations through schemes such as:

PSI: Special Interest Projects
LPP: Law on Priority Projects
SUMA Law
Additionally, the region has developed the Adelante Plan 2020-2023, aimed at encouraging business creation, investments, marketing, innovation, financing, and internationalization. This plan aims to improve the competitiveness of companies, strengthen their growth capacity, and, consequently, promote job creation and consolidation.

The region also values incentives for recruitment and training, offering subsidies for worker training.

Castilla-La Mancha, an Exceptional Living Environment in the Heart of Spain

In addition to its economic dynamism, the Castilla-La Mancha region offers an exceptional living environment, infused with a rich cultural and historical heritage, while being rooted in nature. Alongside its quality education system and numerous university programs, this region provides an authentic Spanish quality of life. This will allow you and all your collaborators to develop your business in an atmosphere of well-being.