Spain is one of Europe's most loved expat destinations, and it’s easy to predict why. With its laid-back lifestyle, Mediterranean warmth, socially open spirits, and affordable cost of living, Spain is a keeper for workers and tourists alike.

Now, visiting it for kicks is easy — you just need to order red wine and enjoy yourself. But if, instead, you are looking to do business with Spaniards, you will benefit from a more in-depth understanding of Spanish business etiquette. Their business culture differs significantly from its North European counterparts, like the Germans, the Swiss, and the British. 

So, let’s dive into Spanish values and corporate culture.

Regional differences in Spanish business culture

First and foremost, you should dig into the region you will be visiting. We have already seen how language is culture, and Spain has many languages and, thus, many nations.

Spain comprises different territories that speak different languages and dialects, some of which defend the Spanish Nationalist Movement and others that support self-determination. The latter is most visible in ​​Catalonia and the Basque Country. People are proud of their regional heritage and strongly feel about their position in the debate. Always be mindful and respectful of their differences, as it is a susceptible topic for some people. The Spanish government recognises these two regions as “historical nationalities,” and you’ll see flags and signage galore in their languages when you tune in to football matches from teams from those regions. 

Just remember that each community will have slight cultural differences. Here’s a very precise one. According to the OECD, the Basque Country was the region with the least working hours in all of Spain in 2014, coming close to France, for example. Still, it was the most productive region in the Iberian country. So that tells a lot about Basque working culture.

Languages in Spain

Regional languages will be challenging to learn. If you already speak French, you’ll probably grasp Catalonian quickly (although it’s not intelligible to Spanish speakers, it’s still a Romance language). But the Basque language is so plainly different from anything else in that part of Europe that linguists still scratch their heads and wonder where it came from. You won’t grasp a single word — we’re sorry.

Fortunately, everyone in Spain speaks Spanish or Castilian (they’re the same, just with different names). So communication will be fine if you stick to standard, Madrid-toned Spanish. 

Punctuality changes if you buy or sell

In Spain, you can sit back and relax if you’re arriving late, as punctuality is not highly emphasised in its business culture. Some meetings can start up to 10 minutes late, and it’ll be alright with everyone.

Now, there’s a significant difference between selling and buying for punctuality. Let’s explore it.

Whether you’re “selling” or “buying” really defines how sharp your arrival should be. Are you a salesperson or a developer who wants to land a job, and you’re meeting at the company’s offices? Be there some minutes earlier and be ready to wait. Now, if you’re a client or prospect who could potentially buy a B2B SaaS solution, you can have the salesperson wait for 10 minutes outside, and you’ll still be on the winning side. Nobody will take offence.

Similarly, if you’re a software developer invited to a tech giant’s data centre for a product demonstration, you can arrive 20 minutes late and request a coffee, which will be fine. Since you’re “buying,” you can arrive whenever you want, like the classic Big Tech CEO meme said. Don’t take it too far, though, since it could be rude.

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Internal team meetings can usually start late if they’re at the office. If you’re meeting over Zoom, they typically begin sharp or three minutes late, nothing more than that.

Some sectors are more formal. The Basque Country, for example, hosts the most internationally successful banks in Spain. For meetings with said banks, you should get there sharp or early. But the tech sector in any city will be more relaxed, for example.

This easygoing mindset repeats itself throughout, as their working style tends to be long-playing, contrasting with a preference for rushing. Similarly, deadlines are considered milestones rather than strict commitments, allowing flexibility. Did someone commit to sending an email on Friday? They can send it on Monday, and it’ll be okay.

Don’t expect Spanish bureaucracy to be any different from the working environment, as it is often slow, involving multiple steps and paperwork processes, but that’s just part of the country’s charm.

Don’t book meetings very early, very late, or at lunchtime

Many workplace cultures are fine with having meetings early on, but, especially if you’re selling, try to offer your meetings at 10:00 a.m. and never past 4:30 p.m. This is general advice and can change depending on the environment or region. And keep in mind that meetings taking place before 9:00 mean something important’s going on. We’ll tell you about that later on.

If someone tells you that they can meet “at whichever time — I’m free,” don’t send the invite for the noon. 12:00 is fine, but 1:00 p.m. will earn you some grumbles, unless it’s a lunch meeting.

Consider the time zone in Spain

Have you noticed that Spain has the same time zone as Germany? Don’t ask too much why. We only mention this because many Spanish jobs communicate with the Portuguese, who are an hour behind. So watch out when you schedule meetings with Portuguese or British for a super-global all-hands conference. You’ll likely mess schedules up if you don’t consider this weird fact.

📐 Play it by the rules — and the rules are to be easygoing

The Spanish put in long hours but try not to stress out too much. So learn from them. Take this chance to relax and adapt to their pace. Don’t break a sweat over timing because meetings will be rescheduled if the person you’re meeting with decides, one minute earlier, they should go out for a walk. Yes, this can happen, and it’s alright.

Work-life balance

In Spain, business hours are typically from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. for office workers — however, some days last until 8 p.m., especially in Madrid or sectors such as consulting. Don’t think the “Spanish Siesta” means they don’t put in long hours!

The extended workday also results from the Spaniards' long lunch and coffee breaks, which we’ll cover later. The standard working week is 40 hours, but it varies by occupation, and a minimum of 12 hours of rest between working days is a legal obligation. 

Spanish people love their national holidays, which sum up to 14. Occasionally, when holidays fall on a Tuesday, for example, that Monday will be turned into a holiday too. It’s called a “bridge.” Additionally, employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid leave annually.

Meals as the pillar of Spanish business culture

Meals are fundamental in the Spanish business environment — and not only because the Spanish know a great deal about putting together delicious-still-thrifty meals. Meetings with clients often occur in restaurants, emphasising the importance of enjoying a meal to build confidence. They also play a key role in strengthening relationships among coworkers, acting as a socialisation and integration opportunity.

Several times throughout the working day, your Spanish counterparts will indulge in some extra time for an enjoyable meal. Even though the working day typically starts at 9 a.m., some high positions begin with breakfast among colleagues, delaying the start until 10 a.m. This is especially typical of small, less formal businesses. Coffee breaks are also ingrained in Spanish work culture, occurring mid-morning around 11:00 a.m.

At lunchtime, meals can extend for a full hour. The Spanish “siesta” you’ve read about in international media refers to this: An extended lunch break used to meet friends, conduct meetings outside of work, or, as the word indicates, have a little nap (In Spanish, though, “siesta” means just that — a nap). However, in the bigger cities, traditional long lunches and breaks are challenged due to global market competition, favouring intensive working days. So don’t expect a long break if you’re at a Big Tech office in Madrid or Barcelona.

🍽️ Consider taking your superior out for lunch

From a bang-for-buck perspective, Spanish food is delicious and accessible, so always consider footing the bill for the manager who hired you for the job if you want to show appreciation. It will be a small investment and demonstrate tremendous gratitude. If you do it once you’ve known each other for some months, it could be a very welcome form of saying “thank you for this, pal.”

Business dress code

As in any country, dress codes will vary from company to company. However, traditional Spanish work attire is formal with a conservative touch, emphasising personal presentation as a sign of professional achievement. Nevertheless, it is evolving, especially in startups, where jeans and plain short-sleeved T-shirts are the norm.

On the first meeting, men should opt for business attire, while women usually wear suits with skirts or pants and moderate heels. Avoid bright colours and excessive makeup. In hot weather, it's acceptable to wear lightweight suits or ditch coats and ties all together. Follow the lead of your business host for cues. You’ll notice the law and banking sectors are the most conservative when dressing for work.

Fair business practises

Ranked 35 out of 180 countries by Transparency International in 2022, corruption is a significant concern in Spanish politics, prompting calls for legal reforms. The country has implemented anti-corruption initiatives under the Plan of Economic Reactivation since 2005. Most reported corruption cases involve concessions, approvals, and nepotism in the public sector. However, foreign businesses generally don't see corruption as a hindrance, and Spain is actively improving the situation with anti-corruption measures. So please be responsible when discussing this matter with the Spanish people.

Gift-giving

The customary business etiquette in Spain doesn't involve frequent gift-giving among professionals. However, there are those moments — like year’s end after sealing a successful deal or visiting a colleague’s house — where a thoughtful gift is best offered. These gifts must be moderately priced to avoid any perception of bribery, often as food, drinks, or souvenirs from the giver's home country. 

The year’s end part is just critical. In Spain, you’ll usually build close bonds with the client who signed the purchase order for a significant deal. To that person, you can give a present. But do it only once the year ends, as a sign of gratitude because “it’s a new year.” Don’t come in with a wine the day after she sends the signed PO because it’ll look sketchy.

Typically, gifts are opened immediately upon receipt. So make it count.

Business relationships are more than that

Long-term business relationships are built through personal face-to-face contact, especially during lunches, dinners, and social gatherings. Trust and personal connections are the linchpins of triumph in Spanish business. A Spanish person will eventually “purchase” from you after they trust you, and that will be way more important than your product. Use “purchase” figuratively. Are you trying to get promoted? Then you must “sell,” and trust is fundamental in Spain for selling.

Especially in the early stages of a business relationship, focus on building those personal bonds. Relationships become more casual and fraternal as you get to know your Spanish counterparts. The unique “Spanish approach” leans towards valuing personal connections over business contacts, where loyalties are constituted with individuals rather than the companies they represent. That’s also why salespeople jump from company to company and offer their new employers a prominent portfolio of clients. It’s because they’ve built personal relationships with people who make decisions in certain companies.

And that’s how relationships will play their part in Spain. It’ll be completely normal if a person you connect with at an event, who eventually buys something from you, becomes your friend. You could invite them to a football game or lunch and even offer them your condo by the Mediterranean coast at a special price. Not a single part of this will be considered sketchy or non-professional because you’ve simply developed a link beyond work, and Spanish people highly regard friendship. It’s almost sacred. 

This will be even more prominent with colleagues. Don’t be surprised if you end up clubbing with the gentleman across your desk, or if you’re expected to invite them to your wedding. In Spain, it’s normal to befriend whomever you share time with — be it during university years or at work.

Communication

Even on the first encounter in a business setting, the Spanish will be outgoing, loud and friendly: Networking and socialising are integral to their business culture. Expect expressive gestures, low regard for personal space, and intense eye contact. Humour is key, and sarcasm is welcome in all settings. You will be met with laughter and smiling. Nevertheless, there are some topics you should avoid, such as criticism of Spanish culture, politics, and individuals; steer clear of sensitive issues like the economy, bullfighting, Franco's Spain, and regional identities. Safe topics include your home country, places visited in Spain, art, architecture, traditions, family, and sports, but don’t expect a Galician colleague to sympathise with your love for the behemoth Real Madrid.

Spanish people prefer face-to-face communication to build personal relationships. As you’d expect, meetings are booked at least a day in advance.

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Still, spontaneity is sometimes welcomed if you know a client and have their WhatsApp. You can absolutely call them or text them saying, “I’m near your office — I got some updates to talk about [be specific here]. Can I take you out for lunch / visit your desk?” This approach would be frowned upon almost elsewhere, but it's acceptable in Spain, since your business relationships will get to a personal level rapidly.

Most international business negotiations are in English, but engaging in conversations in Spanish will be helpful if you are looking to establish long-term relationships. Many older Spanish folk aren’t fluent in English either, so being able to communicate in Spanish will give you a leg up. Remember to use a formal address “usted” for older or more senior individuals, but informality “tú” is common in equal-status or seniority relationships and courtesy titles “señor,” “señora,” and “señorita” along with surnames.

Greetings

The typical greeting involves shaking hands with the person and addressing them as señor or señora and their surname. But, as we know, physical touch is a big thing, so as familiarity increases, men often greet with a frontal hug and a pat on the back or a handshake with the other hand on the forearm. Women commonly exchange greetings with two kisses on the cheeks, beginning with the right cheek.

Hierarchies

Final decisions in Spanish companies are made at the highest level, emphasising a top-down structure with clear leaders. Thanks to Spain's legal intricacies, detailed contracts regularly take a backseat to extra-legal agreements, playing up how vital trust and confidence are. Be aware that verbal agreements hold considerable weight — So don’t say something you’re not committed to signing down on over the phone. 

The company leader is seen as a brawny figure, with centralised decision-making and a limited role for lower management. The boss's role is mainly regarded as a leader's, so their interpersonal and emotional skills are often valued more than technical chops.

Business meetings

Foreigners usually describe meetings in Spain as disorganised, so stand firm and prepare. Meetings can take place at various locations and times, including company premises, restaurants, business breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The first five minutes will revolve around non-business topics like travel, sports, vacations, and family.

Business meetings may focus on something apart from brainstorming but instead on communicating decisions by superiors due to their strict hierarchy. Be prepared with relevant company information, product samples, and service demonstrations. During your presentation, your partners may interrupt you or correct you. This means they are engaged.

It does happen a lot in Spain that business meetings continue outside the premises. You could have a large, eight-person meeting with a client who is considering purchasing your SaaS software. After the meeting ends, it could happen that your sponsor — the person with whom you’ve built the relationship — will accompany you outside the company’s offices, and, before saying goodbye, will light up a cigarette and keep telling you what she thinks about the deal. This additional information exchange also happens over text messages, which are considered more informal and unofficial than company emails. So the meeting, oftentimes, doesn’t end when the clock hits the “time’s up!” mark.

Was your meeting scheduled before or at 9 a.m.? Then something’s brewing

From anecdotal experience, being requested a meeting at 9 sharp or even before 9 (let’s say, 8:30) in the morning in the Spanish job market means that:

• 💲You’re about to sell your product, and a VIP exec needs to be present at the meeting, and that’s the only time they can attend 
• 📦 You’re about to be fired or laid off 

Yes, it sounds extreme, but it really works out this way. Have the HR team and your manager booked an 8:30 a.m. meeting? Pack your things up. No, you shouldn’t be optimistic: If it were to announce a raise or promotion, it would have been in the afternoon, and they’d have sent you a WhatsApp first. Has the client booked the early-day meeting, and do you notice a C-level attending in the invites? You’re about to cut a deal. Since people who buy always take meetings and punctuality lightly, you're on the good path when they’re making such an effort and allowing you to kick off their workday.

Consider working for a Spain-based company!

Are you looking for an exciting job opportunity in Europe? We have just what you need! At WeAreDevelopers, Europe’s #1 developer community, we offer remote positions based in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and even remote while based in Spain. Have a look at our job boards and find an open position that matches your career.