Austria–Spain relations

The historical relations between these two nations are mainly defined by the domination of the House of Austria in the Spanish Monarchy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The 'House of Austria' is the name by which the Habsburg dynasty reigning in the Hispanic Monarchy is known in the centuries XVI and XVII; from the Treaty of Villafáfila (27 June 1506), in which Felipe I the Beautiful is recognized as king consorte of the Crown of Castile, leaving Ferdinand the Catholic Crown of Aragon for his father-in-law; until the death without direct succession of Carlos II the Bewitched (1 November 1700), which provoked the War of Spanish Succession.

The Hispanic Monarchy (also known as Catholic Monarchy) was throughout that era the greatest power of Europe. During the so-called 'Austrias mayores' (Carlos I and Felipe II, reached the apogee of his influence and power, especially with the incorporation of Portugal and his extensive empire, while the reigns of the so-called 'Lesser Austrias' (Philip III, Felipe IV and Carlos II), coinciding with the best of the Golden Age of arts and letters, meant what is known as "Spanish decadence" : the loss of European hegemony and a deep economic and social crisis.

Relations between Spain and Austria are excellent according to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there being no significant disputes or bilateral tensions or radically different positions on major issues within or outside the scope of the European Union, to which both countries belong . During the formation of the government of Mariano Rajoy, Austria has shown understanding and interest in the profound reforms carried out in Spain, supporting them within the community framework.[4]

The growth of bilateral commercial relations and the overcoming of Spanish imports from Austria by exports from 2011 have been the dominant note in the economic field, together with the good results of tourism, in constant expansion. However, the Spanish investment suffered a severe blow in 2013 with the insolvency of Alpine Bau (100% subsidiary of the FCC), the largest bankruptcy in Austria by volume since II World War, which has meant the parent company losses of about 1,000 million euros.

The bilateral trade registered in 2011 for the first time a favorable surplus to Spain, with an export growth of 21.6%. The Spanish investment accumulated in Austria, about 1,400 million euros in 2012, focused mainly on infrastructure (FCC), hotel (Hotusa and NH), and confection (Inditex and Mango) and metal pipes (Tubacex).[5]

The Embassy of Austria is located in Madrid, Spain. The Embassy of Spain is located in Vienna, Austria.

• Foreign relations of Austria
• Foreign relations of Spain