Spain
Bilateral relations
Australia and Spain work together in the multilateral arena to promote the rules-based order, free trade, human rights, gender equality and inclusive economic growth. Positive momentum on trade and investment, people-to-people links and defence ties continue to drive growth in the bilateral relationship.
The first official visit to Spain by an Australian Prime Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, took place in 2022, marking a high point in the bilateral relationship. The Joint Statement from the visit reaffirms the shared values which underpin the bilateral relationship and provides a roadmap for increased cooperation
A key element of the bilateral relationship is defence cooperation and defence materiel. Spanish companies have won significant defence contracts and cooperation between the Royal Australian Navy and the Armada has grown especially close.
Foreign policy
Spain’s foreign policy traditionally focuses on the European Union, the Mediterranean and Latin America. It is a strong supporter of strengthening global governance by playing an active role within the multilateral system. Spain has growing interests in the Indo-Pacific and works with Australia as a likeminded partner in the region.
Spain joined the United Nations in 1955 and has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council on five occasions. Spain was a founding country of the OECD in 1961 and joined the Blue Dot Network Steering Committee in 2023. Spain has been a member of NATO since 1982. While not a member of the G20, it is a standing invitee to G20 meetings and processes. Spain is a member of the European Union (EU).
Fast Facts
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Spanish visitors to Australia (2022)
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23,780
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Australian resident returns from Spain (2022)
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46,610
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Resident Australian population born in Spain (2021 census)
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18,960
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Australian residents of Spanish descent (2021 census)
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128,695
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Spanish working holidaymakers (2022)
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1,486
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Spanish students in Australia (2022)
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3,462
High level engagement
- August 2023 – Spain’s Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofía attended the World Cup final match in Sydney
- July 2023 – Prime Minister Albanese met with the Spain's Prime Minister Sanchez at the sidelines of the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Vilnius
- November 2022 – Prime Minister Albanese met with Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez at the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Bali
- September 2022 – Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto visited Australia for bilateral meetings with Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Hon Don Farrell and Minister for Industry and Science, The Hon Ed Husic MP
- June 2022 – Prime Minister Albanese visited Spain for bilateral talks with Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez in Madrid
Agreements with Spain
Australia has numerous bilateral agreements with Spain, including on social security, double taxation, trade and cultural cooperation. People-to-people links between Spain and Australia have been bolstered by the Work and Holiday Visa arrangement.
Texts of bilateral agreements are available at the Australian Treaties Database.
Trade and investment
Australia’s economic relationship with Spain is significant and growing. Total two-way trade in 2023 was $5 billion, dominated by goods imports from Spain ($3.6 billion). Australian investment in Spain is significant, with total stock valued at $17.4 billion in 2023.
Australian investment in Spain primarily focuses on the infrastructure, energy and resources sectors, although investments in property and medical services and the telecommunications sector have also been growing. Major Australian companies present in Spain include Macquarie Group, IFM Investors, Sandfire and Goodman, with investments in the energy, infrastructure, property, mining and telecommunications sectors.
Spanish investment in Australia was valued at $4.8 billion in 2023. Major Spanish companies are active in Australia with a strong focus on infrastructure and renewable energy. Spanish investors include Iberdrola, Acciona, ACS (CIMIC), Ferrovial and Navantia in the energy, infrastructure and defence sectors.
Spain’s Recovery and Resilience Plan responds to the economic impacts of the COVID pandemic and provides a roadmap for the modernisation and transformation of the Spanish economy. The plan is funded by the EU Recovery Fund and presents opportunities for investors in the energy, infrastructure and technology sectors. The government has been working with Australian business to raise awareness of the plan and provide targeted advice.
There is potential to increase Australian exports to Spain and the Australian government has been working to increase Australia’s brand recognition and build the market for Australian seafood and agri-food products in particular.
Further economic and trade information.
Australia continues to seek opportunities to promote Australian business and raise awareness of potential benefits of increased trade between Australia and Europe, including Spain.
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) Madrid Office aims to attract foreign direct investment into Australia and promotes the Australian education sector.
Public diplomacy
The Australian Embassy in Madrid manages a diverse public diplomacy program. The program supports the Embassy’s efforts to highlight key priorities in areas such as economic diplomacy, gender equality and human rights, and includes the promotion of art, Indigenous heritage and people-to-people links.
Activities are designed to increase recognition of contemporary Australia in Spain by demonstrating Australia’s diversity and creativity. The Embassy has recently showcased contemporary Australian films, collaborated with large cultural festivals and organised exhibitions of Indigenous art.
Australian Embassy in Madrid
Torre Emperador, Paseo de la Castellana, 259D
Level 24, 28046, Madrid
Ph: +34 91 3536600
Email: madrid.embassy@dfat.gov.au
Travel
See Smartraveller for information on travelling to Spain.