The best online businesses in Spain are:
- Local lead generation
- Content websites
- Language teaching
- Travel agencies
- Social media management
- Online coaching
- Affiliate marketing
- Online recruitment agencies
- YouTube automation businesses
- Translation services
Starting an online business in Spain is a good idea because more Spaniards are going digital. According to ECDB, the eCommerce market in Spain is the 15th largest in the world. This covers physical products, digital products, and services. In 2024, the Spanish online revenue grew by 13.2%. What's more, the government supports online businesses with its "Digital Spain Agenda 2025". Here, people are offered funding, training, and digital tools to get started.
Marcela Coo found great success with her online shop 'La Fiesta de Olivia'. She noticed that the concept of children's parties was uncommon in Spain. Wanting to change that, she offered all-in-one party kits for a memorable celebration. She used her blog and Instagram to boost her business visibility. Marcela's husband, Guillermo, boosted the business by adding it to Shopify. Her focus on quality and convenience quickly attracted parents. Today, 'La Fiesta de Olivia has loyal customers, a strong online presence, and even a physical store in Barcelona.
However, there are also challenges when starting an online business in Spain. For one, there's a lot of paperwork and long registration processes to go through. This is necessary for any kind of business in the country, even digital services. One Reddit user says that taxes can be quite complicated as well. They mention that, although you get 0% tax for online businesses, you’ll have to pay once it reaches your personal Spanish bank account.
Another one comments that entrepreneurship is not widespread or deeply ingrained in the culture. They say that work is viewed as a sacrifice instead of a tool to achieve life goals. This can make it harder for new businesses to gain momentum.
I've been running an online business for 10 years now. I've tried several business models before I found the one that led me to success. Over time, I learned what works and what doesn't. Starting an online business in Spain can be tough with all the paperwork, but once you find the right model, it can pay off. To help you, I'll list the best online businesses in Spain. I'll also show you the key things to consider, the disadvantages, and if it's really worth it.
1. Start a Local Lead Generation Business in Spain
Local lead generation targets one of Spain's biggest industries - the services sector, which makes up 75.8% of jobs. This provides you with a big market to tap into to establish your business and grow your earnings. Here, you’ll boost the online visibility of home services and attract quality leads for them. Your offer is very valuable as most people search online for home service companies. An Invoca study found the percentage of people who run home service searches by industry - with moving and pest control services as the highest at 82% and 75%, respectively.
Here is how to start a local lead generation business:
This is the online business model that I found great success with. Yes, it takes some time and effort to create, rank, and rent a website. But after that, it requires very little maintenance and generates passive income. You can earn €460 to €2,760 per month from just one site. You earn more by creating websites for various home services in different cities. I rent over 10+ websites and make nearly €48,000 in recurring monthly income.
2. Create Spanish Content Websites
A Spanish content website can meet the strong demand for local content. Since English isn’t widely spoken, many stick to the Spanish-speaking side of the internet. You can reach these local audiences by providing valuable information or entertainment.
To start a content website, choose a niche with strong demand or one that aligns with your expertise. Set up a simple website and write quality content, like blogs or guides, to attract readers. Focus on SEO to grow your traffic and regularly post new content. Once you build a steady audience, you can monetize the site through:
El Blog Salmón is a Spanish finance blog that started small but now attracts thousands of visitors. Its popularity grew by simplifying complex financial topics into easy-to-understand language. Today, it's a highly respected resource in Spain. The site generates revenue through ads and partnerships with financial institutions.
However, one major hurdle is competition. There are already so many established Spanish websites in different niches. You'll have to find a unique angle that makes you stand out. What's more, monetization can take time. You first need to grow an audience and build trust before you can consider earning.
3. Teach Spanish Online
Teaching Spanish online can reach the growing number of immigrants arriving in Spain. The Real Instituto Elcano says that Spain has one of the highest immigration rates in Europe. 18% of the total population are foreign-born. These people will want to learn the local language immediately to communicate. Not only that, many people from all over the world want to learn the beautiful language. Online lessons will make it even more convenient for everyone.
You can use platforms like Italki or Preply to start teaching Spanish online. You'll be able to set your own rates, choose your hours, and easily connect with students. You're also given tools to run lessons smoothly and attract more learners over time. Most tutors there earn between €8 to €20 per lesson. Whether you teach part-time or full-time, you can make a decent income.
The downside is that big platforms, like Duolingo or Babbel, offer Spanish lessons. Plus, there are many free Spanish lesson resources online. You must find a unique offering, such as personalized lessons or conversational practice. Another challenge is staying updated on teaching tools and technology. Remember, students expect interactive, engaging lessons.
Andrea found success with her Spanish lessons in Italki. She stands out because she offers a cheap trial lesson to see if students like her teaching style. To become more fluent, they must get her higher packages. She now has 517 students and has held 5,3000 lessons. Her total earnings for this amounts to $78K or €72K.
4. Open an Online Travel Agency in Spain
An online travel agency capitalizes on Spain's record-high tourism levels. In 2023, Spain attracted 7% of all international tourists, making it the second most visited country in the world. So many travelers now research and book trips online. You can take advantage of that by offering services that make it convenient for them. As an online travel agency, you can offer many different services, including:
However, with so many online travel agencies nowadays, competition is tough. To stand out, focus on local SEO. This helps your website rank higher and become a go-to choice for travelers. Another way to do this is to build a community on social media. This is how Spain Less Traveled found success.
Founder Karen Rosenblum focused on personalized trips to lesser-known parts of Spain. She built the business by creating a strong online Facebook community, Travel Spain! Here, she shares off-the-beaten-path recommendations and tips. This approach helped her attract clients looking for unique travel experiences. Thanks to this strategy, Spain Less Traveled has become a successful and trusted resource for travelers, offering customized itineraries and consultations.
Besides competition, you'll also have to face fluctuating demand. You may earn a lot during tourist-heavy seasons, but see a slowdown during off-seasons.
5. Become a Spanish Social Media Manager
Becoming a social media manager lets you tap into Spain's thriving digital landscape. More and more businesses are relying on social media to reach their audience. Spain's tourism, hospitality, and retail industries are especially active online. As more businesses realize the need for a strong online presence, demand for social media managers is rising quickly.
To get started, you need a good understanding of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. You'll also need basic marketing and content creation skills. Taking courses in social media marketing can boost your credibility. Go for the small businesses first. Once you have a solid portfolio, you can expand to bigger clients.
Your earnings may vary based on your experience and the clients you take on. According to Payscale, the median salary for a social media manager in Spain is €24,270 a year. You can earn more by getting more clients or offering higher-value services like advertising and analytics.
The hard part is that you rely on others who might expect instant results. If you can't produce followers and engagement quickly, they may leave you for another one. This is why it's important to have a contract and clearly state that building an audience takes time. To stay relevant, you'll also have to keep up with all the new trends, including algorithms.
6. Provide Spanish Online Coaching
Spanish online coaching meets the rapidly expanding demand for personal development and skill-building. Bonafide Research projects the Spanish e-learning market to see significant growth by 2027. This makes it a great time to enter the industry. You can offer coaching services in areas like career, skills, and exercise.
To succeed, you need to really understand your niche. You also have to show that you're a capable coach, so potential clients trust you. You can do this through testimonials, free content, certifications, or qualifications. Then, set up a professional online presence and promote your services. You can begin offering one-on-one sessions or group courses. From there, gradually build your client base.
Now, providing Spanish online coaching has unique challenges. While it's becoming more common, many Spaniards still prefer in-person interactions. This is because face-to-face communication is a strong part of the culture. This can make it harder to convince potential clients to choose online coaching. Despite the challenges, you can still become successful.
Maria Angoso started her own career coaching business - Live in Flow Coaching - in 2017. She transitioned from a decade of working with large multinationals. This experience gave her the expertise to guide clients through career transitions, job searches, and career planning. Maria used online marketing, like LinkedIn, to reach more clients. She also offered free webinars and content on career tips to establish authority. Through Zoom, she has helped many professionals gain confidence and succeed in their careers. Maria's business has grown steadily, earning her between €60,000 to €100,000 per year.
7. Do Affiliate Marketing in Spain
Affiliate marketing is becoming common in Spain as more brands adopt affiliate programs. Since the market is stable but not yet overcrowded, it's a great time to join. This business works by joining affiliate programs and promoting their products or services. You get a unique link to share, and when someone buys through your link, you earn a commission on the sale. The average commission rates are around 5% to 40%, depending on the industry and program. Here is how to start affiliate marketing:
One of the main struggles is building an audience from scratch, which takes time and effort. Without a large following or strong online presence, it’s hard to generate sales. Additionally, finding the right affiliate programs that fit your niche can be tricky. And for all your efforts, you only earn a commission.
8. Start an Online Recruitment Agency in Spain
An online recruitment agency can thrive in the recovering economic crisis in Spain. According to the European Commission, Spain's unemployment rate dropped to 11.6% in 2024 and is expected to decrease even further to 11.1% in 2025. This means there are more opportunities for businesses to hire and for job seekers to find jobs. You can play a key role by making it easier for them to connect online. To start an online recruitment agency, follow the steps below:
You earn by charging a fee for each hire or through a monthly subscription model. Fees can be a flat rate or a percentage of the candidate's salary (typically between 5% to 15%). A subscription lets businesses pay a recurring fee for a set number of hires or ongoing recruitment services. You might even charge job seekers a small fee to access premium listings if you work with top companies. It’s possible to make around €50,000 to €100,000 a year with a successful agency.
However, this business model has complex challenges. For one, many large online recruitment platforms already exist. Businesses and job seekers may choose them over a new agency. There are also legal rules around hiring and contracts in Spain, which can be hard to navigate. Finally, you might need to spend on a strong recruitment team to help handle the workload.
9. Create a Spanish YouTube Automation Business
A YouTube automation business is an excellent idea as Spain is one of the top YouTube markets in Europe. This means plenty of Spanish viewers, advertisers, and monetization opportunities. Plus, the top YouTube searches in Spain often match the type of content made by automation videos. A Statista report showed that music, ASMR, and gaming are some of the top Spanish searches on YouTube.
The best part about this business model is that you don't have to film yourself. Automation videos include a combination of stock footage, images, voiceovers, and text overlays. You can then use tools to automate tasks like video editing, thumbnail creation, adding music, uploading, etc. You can even hire cheap freelancers to do that for you. This lets you run multiple YouTube channels without managing every detail yourself. Here is how to start a YouTube automation business:
Marcel Gil is a Spanish startup automation YouTuber steadily growing his business. He began his YouTube journey at 13 with a magic channel, inspired to earn revenue from it. Later he switched to uploading Fortnite and Clash Royale content. After learning analytics, he launched a tutorial-based YouTube channel, outsourcing video creation. His initial €250 investment brought in €50 per month through ads. Marcel now earns €500 per month and is still growing. His goal is to create viral content and eventually earn €50,000 per month.
However, a big YouTube market increases competition, especially in popular niches like music or gaming. Also, many viewers prefer videos with real people rather than just images. To succeed, you'll need to know your audience, understand YouTube's algorithm, and use strong SEO. You must also focus on high-quality content, consistency, and smart monetization strategies.
10. Become a Spanish Translator
A translator can find plenty of clients as the demand for language services in Spain is growing fast. The country is a hub for international business, tourism, and digital communication. More materials need to be translated into Spanish or from Spanish into another language. You can tap into this expanding market and build a thriving business. Here are the steps to get started:
According to the Economic Research Institute, the average hourly rate for translators in Spain is €21. Many translators also charge per word, with average rates between €0.05 to €0.15 per word. With steady clients, a skilled translator can earn anywhere from €20,000 to €60,000 annually.
Marta GarcÃa is a professional translator with over 20 years of experience. She translates English and French content into Spanish and Catalan. She has worked with universities, publishing houses, and companies across various industries. She has translated over 60 books on topics like psychology, marketing, and economics. After becoming a mother, Marta transitioned to translating children's books, with Dumbo being a standout project. Her love for literature and cinema continues to drive her success.
However, many people and businesses now prefer automated tools like Google Translate. These tools are improving rapidly with AI and may soon match human accuracy. Building a client base takes time, and the fast development of these tools adds pressure. You should start right away so you can still find willing clients. To stand out, you'll need to promote your services as more reliable than any AI solution.
Conclusion: Why Local Lead Generation Is the Best Online Business You Should Try in Spain?
Local lead generation is the best online business you should try in Spain because:
I've always wanted to build a successful online business. I've tried everything - affiliate marketing, Facebook ads, and even selling shark onesies on Shopify. Nothing seemed to click. That all changed when I discovered local lead generation. After 10+ years in this business, I can confidently say it’s one of the easiest online businesses to start and grow. Today, I earn a steady monthly income of €48,000. It’s scalable, profitable, and far simpler than anything else I’ve tried.
