A perfect example is FlixBus, the long-distance coach travel champion, which has chosen the Spanish region to lead its Iberian operations.
From Munich to Madrid: the path of an agile model
Founded in Munich in 2011 by three German entrepreneurs – Jochen Engert, André Schwämmlein, and Daniel Krauss – FlixBus has revolutionized intercity transport across Europe. By combining technology with an asset-light model based on partnerships with local operators, the company has built one of the continent’s largest coach networks, while maintaining controlled operating costs.
Now present in over 40 countries, FlixBus continues to expand its global footprint. In Spain, the company made the strategic decision to set up its regional coordination center in Madrid.
Madrid, the gravitational center of Iberian expansion
Based in the heart of the Las Cortes district in a modern, flexible workspace, the Madrid team now oversees operations in Spain and Portugal, while also facilitating connections to France, Italy, and soon Morocco. The choice of Madrid is no coincidence: beyond its prime geographic location, the Spanish region offers the infrastructure, multilingual talent, and institutional contacts needed for sustainable growth.
The city also serves as a strategic departure point for several international routes : Madrid-Lisbon, Madrid-Milan, Madrid-Paris… demonstrating the cross-border operational hub role FlixBus intends it to play.
A German model that inspires
In a context where German companies are seeking to secure their international growth, Madrid stands out as a prime location for centralizing support services, commercial operations, or logistics activities—with competitive operational costs and excellent quality of life for expatriate teams.
With fast-growing sectors such as mobility, green tech, and smart logistics, the Madrid region offers fertile ground for companies seeking stability, market access, and agility.
An invitation to follow the example
Like FlixBus, an increasing number of German scaleups and companies are seeing Madrid not as a peripheral destination, but as a strategic lever for their development in Southern Europe.
At a time when location decisions are increasingly strategic, the Spanish capital checks all the right boxes: centrality, connectivity, skilled human resources, and European openness.