The strategic decision of the IMEC research center – a global reference institution in microelectronics, photonics and nanotechnology – to establish a headquarters in Malaga is a fundamental milestone in the reconfiguration of the innovative landscape of southern Europe. This move consolidates Malaga's geostrategic relevance as an emerging node within the international advanced research network, while introducing a dynamic of attracting highly qualified talent, foreign direct investment, scientific mobility and significant inter-institutional synergies.
The choice of Malaga is due to a combination of key factors: a privileged location, an expanding innovation ecosystem, institutional support through active policies to promote R&D+i and a constantly growing academic and technological network. This new headquarters not only expands the international projection of IMEC, but also strengthens Spain's strategic positioning in the European context of advanced research in semiconductors, an essential area for the technological sovereignty of the continent.
The essential issue is: How can technology companies -especially international ones- capitalize on this situation to establish themselves in Malaga with guarantees of sustainability, operational efficiency and scalability?
Malaga as an emerging hub in the geopolitics of microelectronics
The implementation of IMEC in Malaga will mean the creation of the first center of excellence in state-of-the-art microchips on Spanish soil, in line with the strategic objectives of the Digital Agenda of the European Union, which seeks to strengthen strategic autonomy in key technologies. This ambitious project includes a significant investment in scientific and technological infrastructure, as well as the generation of highly qualified employment in stem disciplines such as materials engineering, applied physics, data science and quantum electronics.
This new international player is integrated into a local network in full swing, composed of startups, innovation centers, sectoral clusters and delegations of large technological corporations. The Malaga ecosystem – with institutions such as the National Digital Content Pole, the Technological Park of Andalusia (PTA), and various universities and knowledge transfer centers – is going through a stage of consolidation that makes it an ideal environment for multidisciplinary collaboration and the development of disruptive technological solutions.
In addition, this environment will benefit from a probable increase in the flow of European funding for R&D+i initiatives, as well as an intensification of public-private collaboration, the attraction of strategic foreign direct investment and the transfer of scientific-technological knowledge through international consortia.
Structural requirements for an effective business establishment in Malaga
In this context of technological expansion, the process of company implantation in Spain acquires a strategic character for those organizations that wish to establish lasting and competitive operations. At Certus, a firm specialising in legal, tax, corporate and technological advice in highly complex environments, we offer a comprehensive approach to facilitate the entry of foreign companies into the Spanish market. This process is structured in well-defined phases, aligned with the Spanish and European regulatory frameworks.
Key dimensions include:
- Optimised legal and corporate structure. Selection of the most appropriate legal form according to the profile of the company, its sector, business model and strategic objectives. It includes considerations on corporate governance, shareholding structure and compliance with registration requirements.
- Strategic international tax planning. Efficient tax structures, with attention to national and international regulations, double taxation agreements, repatriation of profits, transfer prices and BEPS analysis.
- Multisectoral regulatory compliance. Specialized advice in labour law, data protection, intellectual and industrial property, environment, cybersecurity, public procurement and specific sector regulation.
- Comprehensive administrative management. Accompaniment in obtaining NIEs, visas, licenses, technical approvals and digital certificates, in addition to dialogue with local, regional and state administrations.
- Access to public incentives and programs. Identification and advice for the processing of grants, subsidies, and programs such as the microelectronics PERTE, the Next Generation EU funds, and the CDTI instruments.
This structured approach allows companies to anticipate potential obstacles and ensure a smooth operational landing, with a long-term vision focused on sustainability, scalability and global competitiveness.
Certus: strategic partner for international technological expansion
The arrival of IMEC in Malaga is not an isolated phenomenon, but the reflection of a structural transformation that redefines the coordinates of innovation in Europe. In this context, Certus is positioned as the ideal local partner for those technology companies that seek an efficient, compliant and competitive implementation in Spain, with Malaga as a strategic launch platform.
Our multidisciplinary team combines technical excellence, strategic vision and in-depth knowledge of the regulatory and business ecosystem. Our experience in implementation projects, both in emerging and consolidated sectors, allows us to design solid, agile solutions tailored to the needs of each organization.
We invite you to learn more about our company implementation services in Spain and to take the next step in your internationalization process with us. At a time of global reconfiguration of the technological map, having an expert and committed partner makes the difference.
