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Spain closes 2025 with record tourism spending as fewer visitors spend more
Why the latest figures point to a shift toward higher-value travel across the country
Spain has ended 2025 on a historic high for tourism, with new figures confirming record levels of both international visitors and spending. According to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the country welcomed almost 96.8 million international tourists last year, who spent a combined €134.712 billion, marking the strongest performance on record.What stands out most in the latest data is not just the volume of visitors, but how much they are spending once they arrive. Spending continues to grow faster than visitor numbers, reinforcing a trend already highlighted of higher-end and luxury travel to Spain.
Compared to 2024, total tourist spending rose by 6.8 percent, comfortably surpassing the €126.282 billion recorded the previous year. Arrivals also increased, but at a more moderate pace of 3.2 percent, underlining what the INE data describes as a shift towards a model based more on quality and value than sheer numbers.
The UK once again topped the spending rankings, with British visitors contributing €23.65 billion in 2025, up 4.9 percent year on year. Germany followed with €15.831 billion, while France recorded €11.613 billion, a notable 5.9 percent increase. In terms of arrivals, the UK also led with 19 million visitors, ahead of France and Germany.
Regionally, Catalonia consolidated its position as Spain’s leading destination, both in visitor numbers and total spending. The region welcomed 20 million tourists in 2025, while generating €24.807 billion in revenue, a rise of 4.5 percent compared to the previous year. The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands completed the top three for spending, each also posting solid annual growth.
The final month of the year neatly summed up the wider trend. In December, arrivals rose only slightly to 5.3 million tourists, but spending jumped by 5.5 percent, topping €8 billion. Average spend per visitor climbed to €1,514, with daily spending reaching €167.
Taken together, the figures point to a tourism sector that is evolving rather than slowing. As the data makes clear, Spain is attracting visitors who are staying longer, spending more, and contributing to a steadier and more sustainable growth pattern across many parts of the country.
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