Professional services businesses in Castellón: buying, selling and valuation
Professional, scientific and technical activities total 4,404 establishments in Castellón according to the INE (Spanish National Statistics Institute) at the start of 2025, 9.2% of the Valencian Community (Comunidad Valenciana). The most numerous are legal and accounting activities (1,758) and architectural and engineering technical services (1,126), followed by other professional activities (539), advertising and market research (502), management consultancy together with head offices (376) and research and development (103).
In the count of companies by broad groups, professional and technical activities have 6,325 active companies in the province. Practices run by one or a few people face the key question of any sale in this sector: how much of the client base stays when the professional who served it leaves.
Professional services · Castellón in figures
Active establishments in the province (CNAE activity code 69–74)
4,404
Share of the Valencian Community
9.2%
Active companies in the province (all activities)
40,045
What affects the value of professional services businesses in Castellón
In a gestoría (administrative and tax services firm) or accountancy firm, the main asset is the igualas: clients who pay a fixed periodic amount for bookkeeping, taxes or payroll. The buyer will analyse how many clients there are, how much each one pays, how many have left in recent years and which services they have contracted. A portfolio with up-to-date periodic amounts and few departures transfers much better than one with prices frozen for a long time.
The personal relationship is the risk. If clients always deal with the principal, the buyer will ask them to stay on at the practice for a while, introduce the new team and, often, for part of the price to depend on how many clients remain after an agreed period. Having employees who already handle clients on their own greatly reduces that risk.
In engineering firms and architecture studios, what matters is the portfolio of projects in progress, framework contracts with companies or public authorities, the professionally registered technical team and professional liability for work already delivered, whether or not it is covered by insurance. In advertising agencies, recurring contracts versus one-off projects and dependence on one or two large accounts.
In all practices, the software and licences, the data protection of client information and whether the files are organised so that another professional can carry them on are also reviewed.
Indicative valuation multiples
| Method | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| SDE (small businesses) | 2× – 3.5× | 2.8× |
| EBITDA (medium-sized businesses) | 3.5× – 6.5× | 5× |
Frequently asked questions
The INE counts 4,404 establishments in professional, scientific and technical activities in the province, of which 1,758 are in legal and accounting activities.
Each client is identified with their periodic amount and services, a transition period with the principal is agreed, and it is set out how the price will be adjusted if some of the clients do not stay. The transfer of data must comply with data protection rules, which it is worth confirming with a legal adviser.
Because client continuity is not known until some time has passed. Deferring part of the price and linking it to client retention shares that risk between seller and buyer.
Other practices looking to grow in clients or specialisms, professionals on the staff who want to take over ownership, and advisory groups with offices in several areas looking for a presence in the province.
Written and updated igualas (fixed periodic service agreements), a team that serves clients without depending on the principal, documented processes, up-to-date software and turnover spread across many clients.
Other sectors in Castellón
HVAC and air conditioningElectrical installationPlumbingCommercial cleaningManufacturing and industryConstruction and refurbishmentDistribution and logisticsHospitality and restaurantsHealth and wellbeingRetailSolar energySecurity and alarmsTechnology and ITProvince of CastellónWhat is your business worth?
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- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Locales por provincia, actividad principal (divisiones CNAE 2009) y estrato de asalariados
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Locales por CCAA, actividad principal (grupos CNAE 2009) y estrato de asalariados
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Empresas por provincia y estrato de asalariados
- Generalitat Valenciana – Institut Valencià d'Estadística (Portal Estadístic de la Generalitat Valenciana, PEGV): Banc de Dades Territorial – Difusió municipal del Directori Central d'Empreses: Empreses d'activitat principal sector serveis segons subsector (how to open it: https://pegv.gva.es/bdt → Empreses → Difusió municipal del Directori Central d'Empreses → Empreses d'activitat principal sector serveis segons subsector)
Latest official data available on the date given for each source.
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