Spain's tourism sector shows no signs of cooling. Between January and July 2026, the country welcomed 58.1 million international visitors, a 4.6% increase over the same period last year, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). Spending by those travellers reached an all-time high of €82.05 billion, up 7.8%.
July alone brought 11.5 million foreign tourists, 4.6% more than a year earlier. Their expenditure rose even faster, climbing 10.9% to €18.22 billion, driven by higher spending per visitor and longer stays.
Who is coming and where from
The United Kingdom remains Spain's largest source market, sending 11.5 million visitors in the first seven months, a 4.6% increase. France contributed 7.2 million arrivals (up 1.2%), while Germany, traditionally the second-largest market, saw a slight dip of 0.5% to 6.9 million.
Italy stands out as the fastest-growing major market, with 3.5 million tourists, a 10.3% jump. Arrivals from other countries also surged by 16.9% to 717,000, and their spending rose by 24.5%.
In July, British tourists again led the pack with 2.2 million arrivals, up 5.6%, and they spent €3.04 billion, 4.8% more than in July 2025.
Regional winners and losers
Catalonia remains the most visited autonomous community, attracting 11.94 million international tourists through July, a 2.9% increase. The Balearic Islands followed with 9.16 million (up 1.8%), while the Canary Islands saw a slight decline of 0.6% to 9.02 million.
Andalusia welcomed 9.02 million visitors, an 8.2% rise. The strongest growth among major destinations came from Madrid and the Valencian Community, with increases of 9.6% and 8.9%, respectively. Madrid alone reached 800,000 tourists, an 11% jump.
The typical stay lasted four to seven nights, chosen by 5.7 million travellers, up 8.7%. Independent travel dominates: nearly 8.5 million tourists arranged their trips without a package, compared with 3.1 million who booked one.
Accommodation took the largest share of spending at 19.8%, followed by package tours (19.3%) and international transport (19.2%).
The record numbers come amid broader debates about overtourism and sustainability. Spain's tourism model, heavily reliant on sun-and-beach destinations, faces pressure to balance growth with environmental and social concerns. The record heat deaths in 2026 have added urgency to discussions about climate resilience in popular coastal areas.
Meanwhile, the sector's economic weight is undeniable. Tourism accounts for over 12% of Spain's GDP, and the spending surge is a bright spot for the national economy. However, the uneven distribution of benefits—with Catalonia and Madrid capturing much of the growth—raises questions about regional disparities.
As Spain continues to break records, the challenge will be to manage growth sustainably. The government has already introduced measures to regulate short-term rentals in some cities, and tensions with Italy over border checks highlight the complexities of cross-border mobility in the Schengen area.
For now, the numbers speak for themselves: Spain remains Europe's tourism powerhouse, drawing visitors from across the continent and beyond. Whether this momentum can be maintained without straining infrastructure and communities will be a key test for policymakers in Madrid and the regions.
