10 reasons to do business in Malaga
Since the mid-19th century, foreigners have been doing business in Malaga. In the latter half of that century, the city was an industrial power to be reckoned with, thanks in part of entrepreneurs from Europe and other parts of the world.
Well over 150 years later, the city continues to feature on the international business radar for a number of reasons, all of which make compelling reasons to do business in Malaga.
Top tip for setting up a business in Malaga #1
Research, research and research your target market. Many businesses fail in their first year because the idea didn’t work with the local market and/or demand.
Great accessibility
Malaga Airport is the fourth busiest in Spain and connects southern Spain to over 137 cities, mostly in Europe. However, direct flights operate to several destinations further afield – New York, Qatar, and Marrakesh, for example. This means that numerous markets for business opportunities are just a plane ride away.
Back on land, Malaga also has excellent transport connections. The city forms part of the AVE high-speed train network in Spain with frequent services to Madrid (just over 2.5 hours), Barcelona (around 5 hours), Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Dual carriageways connect the city in all directions.
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Top tip for setting up a business in Malaga #2
Whatever your business idea – a holiday rental brand, a barista coffee shop or a kids’ football school, strong visual branding helps you stand out in Malaga’s competitive market. A clear, professional logo builds trust with international travelers browsing online.
If you’re just starting out, using a simple logo maker can be a practical way to create a professional-looking logo without hiring a full design agency. Experiment with online design programs, such as Canva – the free version allows you to do quite a lot.
Plenty of opportunities
The city’s entrepreneurial spirit is obvious in the wide range of business opportunities available to those who decide to do business in Malaga. The main sectors are:
- Tourism – a thriving industry in the city and a true city-break destination compared to the more traditional resorts on the neighbouring Costa del Sol.
- Technology & Innovation – with Malaga TechPark at the helm, Malaga has become a hub for technology. The Spanish Digital Content Hub (Polo de Contenidos Digitales) also has lots of opportunities in video technology.
- Construction – Malaga has a shortage of housing and office space, and presents many business openings in the property sector.
Some of the global companies in Malaga
Vodafone
GlobalLogic
Quantexa
DocLine
Oracle
CitiGroup
NTTData…
Connectivity
The city has infrastructure for fibre optic internet and you can also access the 5G mobile phone network. You can choose to do business in Malaga and rest assured that connectivity won’t be a problem.
Find out how to set up a company in Malaga
Top tip for setting up a business in Malaga #3
Shop around for mobile phone and internet deals, and contract the one that meets your needs. At least a dozen companies provide coverage in Malaga, with widely varying services and prices. Use a comparison site – e.g. Rastreator, for example to source a deal that suits your new business.
Dual markets
The popularity of the Costa del Sol among foreign residents and tourists plus the large Spanish population open up business opportunities in two markets. Both are very different but complement each other at the same time allowing for the creation of niche business interests.
Did you know?
Malaga province has a population of 1.79 million (2025 figures), with around 341,00 foreigners, who represent 19% of the total. When setting up your business, bear in mind who your target clients are and the language they speak.
The table below shows the most significant nationalities living in Malaga province. (Data is from the Spanish Statistical Institute (INE), published in December 2025.)
| Nationality | No of inhabitants |
|---|---|
| British | 49,298 |
| Moroccan | 36,438 |
| Italian | 21,549 |
| Colombian | 18,973 |
| Ukranian | 18,928 |
| Argentinian | 14,346 |
| German | 11,369 |
| Romanian | 11,287 |
Cosmopolitan outlook
They say port cities are always a melting pot of cultures and Malaga is certainly no exception. The business culture has a young mindset and you’ll find English widely spoken in most sectors.
Warm welcome
Unlike many other Andalusian cities, Malaga looks outward and welcomes the newcomer. It has a history of European entrepreneurs settling in the city (many streets in the centre are named after them and foreign surnames are common among locals as a result).
This active welcome to outside investment facilitates anyone wishing to do business in Malaga.
Top tip for setting up a business in Malaga #4
Learn Spanish as soon as possible. Private one-to-one classes will get you speaking and understanding more quickly, but joining a language school is also a good start. The sooner can hablar español, the sooner you’ll be able to tap into local business resources, advice, grants and subsidies.
On the map
Malaga is something of a business reference in southern Spain. Much of this is due to Malaga TechPark, a benchmark for technology and innovation within the country as a whole. But Malaga also strives to make a name for itself in all sectors by hosting international conferences, for example. The city was European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020 as well as European Capital of Sport.
Local talent
To make a success of any business in Malaga you need a qualified and talented workforce. The city offers both local expertise – Malaga University has several excellent faculties – and foreign talent in the large number of expat residents in the area.
Read about Malaga business paperwork
Lifestyle
If you’ve already spent some time in Malaga, this may well be your main reason for wanting to establish a business in the city. Take the weather for a start – 320 (guaranteed) days of sunshine a year bring joy even to the dullest business tasks!
Locals embrace the philosophy of “working to live” rather than vice versa. And then there’s the city’s relaxed ambience, its stunning architecture and mostly wallet-friendly cost of living. (Note, however, that rental accommodation has become expensive and difficult to find since 2021.)
In addition, you have the Mediterranean and Andalusia on the doorstep.
Family-friendly
Our last reason to do business in Malaga is really for those thinking of relocating to the city with their families. You’ll find a lifestyle where children can be seen and heard. Plus there are plenty of activities for all the family.
Malaga has a good choice of international schools if you wish your children to continue their education in English (or French). And all of you will find a well-established community of expats from just about every country.
Have we convinced you? Then your next step is to decide what kind of business you’re going to set up in Malaga.
Get a helping hand with your move to Malaga
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