How to choose a European hub if you're expanding overseas

The old way of choosing a European hub if you're expanding overseas? Pick the country with the lowest tax rate and hope for the best. 

Spanish substance requirements exist for a reason... tax authorities scrutinise whether your business activities genuinely match your chosen location, and getting this wrong triggers costly audits and penalties.

Here's my 4-step framework that actually works: 

1. Map your business activities against Spanish substance requirements

2. Calculate true tax costs (not just headline rates)

3. Assess operational complexity versus alternatives like Netherlands or Ireland

4. Stress-test your structure against upcoming EU tax changes. 

This systematic approach prevents the expensive mistakes I see CFOs make when they focus solely on tax rates without considering the full picture.

What's your biggest concern when evaluating Spain as a European hub location?

#EuropeanExpansion #CFOStrategy #SpanishCompliance