Alicante is emerging as a viable destination for business relocation. The latest data show that the province is attracting firms from across the country, with many deciding to move their registered offices for strategic reasons.
From 2019 through the first half of 2022, a net 120 companies established or relocated operations to Alicante. Specifically, 818 merchants moved their registered offices to Alicante from other regions, while 698 firms carried out reverse moves, creating a positive balance that strengthens the area’s economic fabric. It is important to note that these numbers reflect changes in registered offices rather than the opening of new branches, so the total impact may be even larger when considering companies that opened delegations or satellites.
The favorable balance remained steady during the period, except for 2020, when the pandemic disrupted movement. In that year, 52 companies moved in, while 61 did so in 2021, and 17 additional registrations were recorded in the first half of the current year, according to registrar figures. This pattern suggests growing interest in Alicante as a business hub, supported by the province’s improving conditions for enterprise and investment.
Experts and business leaders agree that multiple factors drive relocation. Availability of affordable industrial land, strong transport links through the port and airport, and an improving business ecosystem all play roles. The registrar’s view is that Alicante has become more attractive as a destination in recent years, driven by the city’s capacity to diversify its productive sectors and attract innovative companies in addition to traditional industries. The result is more job opportunities and a conducive environment for synergistic collaboration among firms.
Initiatives such as digital zoning, the Alicante of the Future program, science parks, university partnerships, and private sector projects contribute to this momentum. The Digital District has emerged as a centerpiece for attracting companies in Alicante, while the overall life quality and connectivity enable managers and entrepreneurs to engage with clients and partners around the world without travel. This flexibility increasingly suits managers who establish telework bases in the region while continuing to grow their enterprises, a trend noted by academics and local practitioners alike.
The improved entrepreneurial climate in Alicante also feeds the regional ecosystem, inspiring new ventures and encouraging existing firms to expand. City officials and business leaders highlight how digital transformation and collaboration across sectors create a supportive backdrop for growth, enabling a broader mix of industries to prosper alongside traditional sectors.
More than 60 Catalan companies relocated their registered offices to Alicante in the past year, underscoring a broader pattern of diversification in corporate geography. While Catalan divestments were more pronounced in 2017 and 2018, recent years have seen hundreds of firms move between Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and neighboring regions. In this frame, Alicante absorbs a larger share of the inward flow, while outbound movements balance with arrivals from other provinces.
Across the country, Madrid and nearby provinces such as Murcia and Valencia contribute significantly to Alicante’s inflow. Data show that 208 companies arrived in Alicante from the provincial capital, compared with 180 Alicante-based firms relocating outward. In addition, 144 firms came from Murcia, while 117 moved in the opposite direction. There are still pockets where Alicante experiences a negative balance, but the overall trend favors growth as the area continues to attract investment and technology-driven enterprises. Malaga, for instance, has also attracted more companies from other regions, reinforcing Alicante’s role as a benchmark in regional investment strategy. The evolving landscape in Alicante reflects a broader national emphasis on business-friendly conditions and strategic location advantages that resonate with investors from the United States and Canada alike.