What to wear
The dress code in Spain's business aspect is expected to be formal. Women are usually seen - if not in a suit - in proper business dresses. Spanish women also have a fondness about wearing accessories appropriate with their attire, while men are the ones who are usually downright formal and suits are mandatory. Casual clothing is prohibited for both genders unless you will work for a startup or some artistic organization. Locals in the business scene are more likely to be overdressed rather than be seen as dressed down. Traditionally, dressing down in a workplace can come across as sporty, which indicates informality in terms of Spain's business culture. The locals value their physical appearances a lot; showing up well-groomed is a habit that any expat or visitor should also adapt to. t

What to expect
Greeting in a professional meeting has its differences from an informal setting. Spaniards are expected to welcome you with a cheek-to-cheek greeting during casual meetings, but in a formal one, a firm handshake will do. Unless the respective parties know each other on a deeper level, then expect to receive the former.

Spaniards are traditionally extroverted and extremely friendly. Expect these behaviors to appear from time to time during your business meetings. Business gatherings in Spain do not always come off as a strict and formal situation. Humor is an attribute that Spaniards naturally possess. Try to relax to relieve the tension. Use this opportunity to loosen up so that, eventually, you can focus more on your goal. Subsequently, both parties can have an engaging and worthwhile discussion.

What to do
Even though the Spanish people are well-known to have a relaxed perception in terms of promptness and time management, you are still expected to be on time. In this manner, you can leave a great first impression on your future Spanish business associates. During a meeting, Spaniards commonly allow each other to voice out all their concerns and opinions without interrupting each other by frequent interjection. Though meetings are not always a one-way street, some parts of the meeting acknowledge raising different points and incorporating them through the conversation. In Spain's traditional business culture, meetings are organized for the head of the organization to give and direct information and instructions to his or her subordinates. It depicts Spain's traditional hierarchical structure in its business environment. Directly asking your superior for feedback is not much of a practice in Spain. They tend to get an assessment by closely observing behaviors and reactions. If you have a major concern, as a newcomer, you are expected to approach your supervisor first instead of going straight to your supervisor's supervisor. Decisions are customarily the higher management's responsibility. Mostly, concerns discourse between staff - hence, the meeting - then a formal contract is offered for the final say. Business negotiations in Spain usually take place in a personal encounter instead of using the virtual approach. They value getting to know the other party and building a professional relationship with them. Humor is also a key ingredient in developing rapport among associates in Spain. There are also new business values emerging as of the present time due to the increasing numbers of younger managerial candidates and organizations alongside a more modern business environment. Despite their differences, any newcomer needs to learn and adapt to any changing trends and practices.

What you should know
Spain's business relationship among associates is a crucial part of its business culture. Trust and loyalty within a personal relationship built between business associates are of high value. It means they give more significance to the individual they have gotten to know in between personal and professional meetings instead of the company or organization he or she works for.

According to Spain's business communication customs, there is a fundamental rule to consider in terms of addressing someone from your workplace. Below are the recommended courtesy words to acknowledge the individual's title.

While in some situations, the Spaniards prefer to get called by their professional titles like doctors or engineers with their surnames afterward, in communicating with high executives, it is not conventionally this way. Moreover, another tradition of the locals in addressing people and as a sign of respect for older people, especially in an office setting, is by using Don (for a male) or Doña (for female). However, in today's time, this is avoided because it can somehow sound sarcastic to them. During your first encounter, the usage of the word "Usted" is also considered. It is preferred more than tú. Usted, a formal pronoun, is followed by the person's first name and used until you are given authority to use tú, an informal pronoun. Tú is typically used in first encounters as well but to younger people.

Essential pieces of information you should also familiarize yourself with when in Spain are the holidays, leaves, and observances. Listed below are the corresponding information regarding the important dates in Spain.