Most types of small businesses can now open without waiting for a municipal licence (which can take, depending on your contacts with local officialdom, anything up to eighteen months). The new rule, known as 'autolicencia exprés' came from the Government today to help kick-start certain types of small business such as food outlets, services and shops under 300m2 in size.
'The measure seeks to change the culture of endless paperwork, to liberalize trade, eliminate bureaucracy, simplify procedures, streamline paperwork and support entrepreneurs' said the Spokesperson for the Government Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría.
The new rule does not, as yet, apply to bars and restaurants.
Spain currently occupies the 133rd place in a world list of 183 for the rules, paperwork and obligations necessary for opening a business according to the World Bank (no surprise there).