When a German giant chooses Madrid for a new foothold, it’s never by chance. DEKRA, the global leader in vehicle inspection, made its move in May 2022 by opening its first Spanish ITV centre in Leganés, just south of the capital. A strategic decision that says a lot about the very real attractiveness of the Madrid region for European players in the automotive sector.
No need for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to realize that DEKRA was making a decisive turn. By setting up shop in Leganés Ciudad del Automóvil – a business park home to numerous car dealerships and automotive service providers – the German company chose a location that was both practical and symbolic. Its 6,000 m² centre, equipped with four state-of-the-art inspection lanes, caters to all types of vehicles: cars, motorcycles, vans, buses… But what exactly is an ITV station?
In Spain, ITV stands for Inspección Técnica de Vehículos, the mandatory technical inspection equivalent to a vehicle safety check. Unlike in some countries, the Spanish ITV market is strictly regulated and decentralized, with regional authorities setting the rules. For any international player, entry is far from guaranteed: it requires major investment, a tailored local strategy and the right territory.
When Madrid Entered DEKRA’s Radar
Madrid was the clear choice for DEKRA’s first step. And not without reason. “Spain is a key market in terms of road safety, and Madrid offers the ideal conditions for our development,” said Nicolas Bouvier, Executive Vice President for Southern Europe at DEKRA, in the official press release.
At launch, a team of 18 professionals was deployed. Less than a year later, the concept had proven its worth. DEKRA went on to open five additional centres across the region — in Alcorcón, Getafe, Parla, and Boadilla. By 2024, the company reported 125,000 inspections performed, with a turnover of €88 million in Spain. Even more significantly, DEKRA announced a new investment plan: €30 million by 2026 to strengthen its regional network.
When DEKRA chose Madrid and how the region delivered?
Back in 2022, Bouvier stated clearly: “This launch marks a strategic entry into the Spanish market, which is demanding in terms of road safety and challenging to access”. In other words, adapting a German model to a fragmented and highly regulated environment isn’t a formality.
In Spain, vehicle inspection laws fall under the jurisdiction of autonomous communities. Only certain regions allow new operators like DEKRA to enter the ITV market. The Madrid region, known for its regulatory agility, offered the perfect window of opportunity.
And the bet paid off. After launching its 6,000 m² pilot station with four modern inspection lanes and 18 employees, DEKRA scaled up in 2024, recruiting nearly 80 additional specialists and passing the 125,000 inspections milestone.
A Win-Win Project
The Leganés ITV station, DEKRA’s first base in Spain, has grown into a logistics, operational, and strategic hub. For the company, Madrid is no longer just a waypoint – it’s become a nerve centre for its development across Southern Europe. With an initial €7.3 million invested in 2024 and €30 million more earmarked through 2026, this is clearly a long-term, structural project – for DEKRA and for the local economy.
Thanks to its infrastructure and strong commitment to sustainable mobility and the green transition, Madrid has helped turn this investment into a high-visibility success story. DEKRA’s choice reflects not only the region’s readiness for business, but also its ability to support ambitious industrial projects that deliver both economic and societal value.