Business Climate Survey. Section on the Current Entrepreneurial Situation. Q4/2024

In the fourth quarter of 2024, 21.0% of business establishments in Catalonia reported having noticed an improvement in administrative processing. By activity sector, accommodation and food services and trade had the lowest percentages in terms of improvement in administrative processing (15.9% and 18.2%, respectively) while other services had the highest percentage (22.5%).

By areas, most establishments said that safety, risks and the environment generated a lot or too much administrative burden and complexity (54.1%) followed by labour relations (49.8%).

As for the financial cost of compliance with the regulations and charges imposed by public administrations, 33.7% of the establishments said that the cost was between €6,000 and €30,000 in 2024, while for 30.1% the cost was less than €6,000 and for 16.2% it was more than €30,000.

Among the establishments which reported having noticed improvements in administrative processing in the last year, 32.1% said that the reduction in response times by the Administration had improved quite a lot or a great deal. This measure is followed by simplification of forms and requests for additional information and proactive notices and services for businesses, in both of which 28.0% of establishments considered that there had been a significant improvement.

Finally, as regards the communication channels available to companies, 20.4% of the establishments stated that they had heard of the One-Stop Business Shop (finestreta única empresarial, FUE) while 43.8% knew about the Enterprise Channel (Canal Empresa).