An Increasingly Strategic Economic Relationship

The economic relationship between Spain and Turkey continues to strengthen year after year. With bilateral trade exceeding €17 billion, both countries have established themselves as strategic partners within the corridor connecting Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia.

Turkey represents a market of more than 85 million people and serves as a natural gateway to Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. As a result, many Spanish companies have expanded their operations in sectors such as energy, construction, infrastructure, automotive, manufacturing, and logistics.

At the same time, Spain is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Turkish companies seeking to establish a presence within the European Union. Institutional stability, high-quality infrastructure, and access to both European and Latin American markets position the country as a strategic platform for international expansion.

This growth in business relations is also driving a parallel trend: an increase in the international movement of executives, technical specialists, engineers, and investors between the two countries.

Immigration Considerations: Turkey Strengthens Oversight of Temporary Assignments

International mobility has become an essential component of business operations between Spain and Turkey.

Industrial installations, machinery commissioning, technical maintenance, project supervision, and specialized services frequently require the temporary relocation of foreign professionals.

In this context, Turkey has strengthened the implementation of its Work Permit Exemptions over the past year, reinforcing an important shift in the immigration procedures applicable to short-term activities.

These exemptions are regulated under Article 48 of the Regulation on the International Labour Force Law (Law No. 6735) and allow certain activities to be carried out without obtaining a standard work permit, provided that the established requirements are met.

Some of the most common scenarios include:

• Installation, repair, and maintenance of machinery.
• Montage Visas.
• Cross-border service provision.
• Specialized technical activities.
• Short-term scientific, cultural, or sporting activities.

Since 2022, these exemptions have been managed through the E-Muafiyet electronic platform, administered by the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security, enabling greater digitalization and traceability throughout the process.

In the specific case of Montage Visas, the requirement to process the exemption through the relevant consular procedure and ministerial system has become firmly established.

However, companies should be aware that the practical application of these procedures may vary between consulates. For this reason, advance planning and a case-by-case assessment remain highly advisable.

Tax Considerations: Two Different Approaches to Attracting Talent and Investment

Growing mobility between Spain and Turkey is also increasing the importance of international tax planning.

Both countries have developed specific incentives designed to attract talent, investment, and new residents, although their approaches differ significantly.

Turkey’s Special Tax Regime

Turkey has developed an especially attractive framework for individuals with international assets and income.

Under certain circumstances, new tax residents may benefit from exemptions on income and gains generated outside Turkey, allowing a significant portion of internationally sourced income to remain outside the scope of local taxation.

This framework is particularly attractive to:

• International investors.
• Individuals with global assets.
• People with income sources outside Turkey.
• Individuals seeking tax residency without relocating all of their economic activities to the country.

Spain’s Beckham Regime

Spain, for its part, has focused on attracting international professionals and executives through the well-known Beckham Regime.

This regime allows certain employees relocating to Spain to be taxed under special conditions on their Spanish-source income, avoiding the application of the standard progressive Personal Income Tax scale and creating significant tax efficiencies for qualified professionals.

The measure has become one of Spain’s key tools for attracting international talent and strengthening its competitiveness in an increasingly demanding global environment.

Tax Planning as a Strategic Component of International Mobility

Every international assignment carries tax implications that may affect both employers and relocating professionals.

For this reason, advance tax planning is essential to:

• Optimize costs.
• Reduce double taxation risks.
• Ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support strategic decision-making.

As mobility between Spain and Turkey continues to grow, the coordination of immigration, tax, and employment matters is becoming increasingly important.

Valencia: A Natural Bridge Between Turkey and Europe

Within this bilateral relationship, Valencia is emerging as a particularly strategic location.

The Port of Valencia is one of the Mediterranean’s leading logistics hubs and serves as a major gateway for trade between Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Beyond its logistics capabilities, the Valencian Community offers a highly competitive business ecosystem in sectors such as:

• Automotive.
• Ceramics.
• Agribusiness.
• Renewable energy.
• Technology.
• International logistics.

These strengths are supporting the arrival of foreign investment and the development of business projects involving both Spanish and Turkish stakeholders.

Valencia has also become an attractive destination for international professionals thanks to its combination of:

• Quality of life.
• Modern infrastructure.
• An innovative business ecosystem.
• International connectivity.
• Talent-attraction tools such as the Beckham Regime.

Together, these factors reinforce Valencia’s role as a meeting point for investment, talent, and economic growth.

An Economic Corridor Driven by International Mobility

The relationship between Spain and Turkey can no longer be understood solely from a trade perspective.

It has evolved into an increasingly integrated economic corridor through which investment, business projects, and highly skilled professionals move across borders.

In this context, international mobility has become a strategic factor in ensuring the success of cross-border operations.

The effective management of immigration, tax, and employment matters enables companies to reduce risk, optimize resources, and support international growth in a secure and efficient manner.

At EMS – Employee Mobility Solutions, we help organizations manage their immigration, international tax, relocation, international moving, and Employer of Record (EoR) needs through an integrated approach, facilitating global talent mobility and contributing to the success of international projects.

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