Between venture capital and industrial transactions
The Spanish market for mergers and acquisitions has begun 2026 with significant momentum, confirming its consolidation as one of the main hubs of private capital in southern Europe. This momentum is supported by a stable legal environment, a high degree of sophistication among operators, and a constant flow of corporate and financial transactions.
In this context, the Spanish legal sector is experiencing a significant transformation. Traditionally distanced from venture capital, the legal market has begun to attract the interest of investment funds, which are analyzing opportunities in law firms with scalable business models, international reach, and strong specialization. Firms like Auren, Grant Thornton, Sagardoy, and especially ECIJA are at the center of this new scenario, highlighting a structural change in the way investment in professional services is conceived.
ECIJA has thus consolidated its position as one of the best-positioned firms in this environment, thanks to a strategy of sustained growth, its strong presence in key areas of interest for investors —such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), taxation, labor, and regulation— and its ability to support complex transactions with a transversal and technological approach. This positioning reinforces the firm’s role as a leading advisor in an increasingly sophisticated and competitive market.
The dynamism of the Spanish market is also reflected in the most significant operations early in the year. Among these is the acquisition of iPark Car Parks by CVC, Ardian's entry into IVB Wellness Lab, and the purchase of Novotel Valencia Lavant by Ibervalles Capital, examples of the sectoral diversity that characterizes current investment. According to Mergermarket data, January closed with seven operations, four of which revealed their value, for an aggregate known volume of €1.110 billion, confirming a solid start to the year in terms of operations.
In Portugal, the landscape is different, marked by large corporate industrial transactions. The most significant transaction of the period was the acquisition of 100% of the capital of the cement company SECIL for €1.400 billion, a deal not linked to investment funds that highlights the relevance of the Portuguese market in major corporate consolidation processes and the growing role of Iberian law firms in this type of transaction.
In general, the start of 2026 paints a picture of high activity in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain stands out for the strong presence of investment funds and the growing interest in the legal sector, where ECIJA is consolidating its position as one of the best-positioned law firms to capitalize on this trend, while Portugal continues to be the stage for significant strategic corporate transactions.
Access the complete article published in Iberian Lawyer here.
