Date Published: 21/08/2025

Spain surprises with its entrepreneurial spirit, beating global business heavyweights

Against stereotypes, Spain ranks fifth worldwide for grit and drive to succeed

When you think of Spain, images of lazy afternoons, siestas, and the infamous “mañana” attitude might spring to mind. But there’s a surprising side to the country that flies in the face of these clichés: its people who show remarkable passion and perseverance when it comes to launching new businesses.

Starting a business is never easy. It requires a clear vision, choosing the right legal structure, securing financing, and navigating a maze of administrative and tax procedures. For first-time entrepreneurs, getting the right guidance can make all the difference.

A recent global study by Remitly shines a fresh light on Spain’s entrepreneurial spirit by ranking countries according to what’s known as the grit scale. This scale, developed at the University of Pennsylvania, measures long-term commitment, passion, and the ability to keep pushing forward despite setbacks - not just bursts of effort, but dedication over time to achieving goals.

According to Remitly’s report, South Africa tops the list with 46.18 points out of 60, with cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town celebrated for their dynamic business environments fuelled by optimism and drive. The United Kingdom comes second, closely followed by Ireland and India.

Spain comes in a respectable fifth place with 41.13 points. What sets the country apart, according to Remitly, is its “passion, creativity, and desire to do things differently.” This is especially true in vibrant sectors such as fashion and gastronomy, where innovation and adaptability are essential.

Spain’s ranking beats out some major entrepreneurial players like the United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Greece, and Italy, which round out the top 10. This strong showing reflects Spain’s growing ability to reinvent itself and adapt to changing economic landscapes.

So, while the laid-back stereotype remains popular, the truth is Spain’s entrepreneurial community is anything but idle. It’s full of determined, creative minds ready to take on challenges and break new ground.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business here, knowing Spain ranks so highly worldwide might just give you that extra spark of confidence.

If you are not a citizen of the European Union and plan to live in Spain, obtaining the right visa is essential.

Spanish bureaucracy can feel overwhelming and complex, even for those who speak the language, which is why working with trusted experts is the best way to meet all legal requirements and avoid common mistakes.

The team at Heniam & Associates, located in Cartagena, Murcia, offers reliable and personalised guidance to make the process as straightforward and stress free as possible. Their professionals can explain all the available visa options in Spain, including Family Reunification, Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad and Student visas.

Beyond immigration support, Heniam provides a comprehensive range of legal services to help with every stage of your relocation. These include conveyancing for property purchases, preparation of wills for expats, reviewing and drafting employment and business contracts, community administration and much more.

Contact Heniam today to arrange a personalised consultation and find out how they can support your move to Spain:

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Heniam & Associates for Conveyancing, paperwork, legal advice and immigration throughout the Region of Murcia

Catering for the needs of expats living all over Spain, and particularly in the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca, Heniam & Associates offer a wide range of services including conveyancing, legal and administrative advice.

At the same time, their team of dedicated professionals appreciate the need to assist you in an easy and reliable manner, allowing you as much time as possible to enjoy your freedom, relax and make the most out of life in Spain. Without sacrificing efficiency, they offer personalised services to each and every client, listening to their needs in order to provide exactly the right service and desired outcome.

In the all-important field of Legal and Administrative Services, Heniam & Associates provide help in a wide range of matters including (but not limited to):

Conveyancing
Legal and professional communication assistance
NIE and TIE Applications
Commercial and company set-up and licensing
Spanish health and administrative services
Support and assistance with regulatory bodies
Professional will writing services and advice on intestate inheritance laws (both in the UK and in Spain)
Contract drafting (for businesses and individuals)
Dispute resolution
Digital signatures and certificates

Whether taking advantage of our conveyancing services or any other legal matter Heniam & Associates’ business partner HeniamLegal will represent you in the best possible way, excelling especially in their conveyancing service.

When buying a property in a foreign country it can be challenging to understand all of the steps that have to be taken. Heniam knows that buying a home can be stressful and they want to ensure that you have the resources that you need to make sure that the transaction is as smooth as possible so that you can start to enjoy your new home without worrying about the details and any purchase pitfalls.

HeniamLegal will be on hand to assist you with every part of the process. They have dedicated professionals on hand to assist you every step of the way ensuring that all of the relevant checks and investigations are carried out and, of course, negotiating on your behalf and protecting your interests. You will always have the support you need with HeniamLegal and Heniam & Associates.

Heniam & Associates In addition, translation services are provided either for written documents or for occasions such as visits to the doctor or to administrative offices, and assistance is provided in finding the best deal on foreign currency transfers.