Spain 7.1.3

In 2023, the central government spent 1 285.9 million euro on culture, of which 43.4% corresponded to current and capital transfers to other levels of government and private actors.

By sector, approximately 35% of central government cultural expenditure was allocated to the cultural heritage sector, reflecting its primary responsibility for major museums and national monuments. The second largest category was interdisciplinary cultural practices (33.9%), including 14% devoted to cultural promotion and cooperation and 11% to cultural dissemination abroad, both particularly relevant in a highly decentralised country with strong international cultural engagement, especially with Latin America. The third largest area of expenditure was performing arts and music (15.1%), with a clear predominance of music and dance, reflecting the central government’s responsibility for national orchestras and lyric institutions. Finally, cinematographic production (11.7%) represents a substantial component of the broader audiovisual and multimedia sector (14.4%).

Table 6.1: Direct state cultural expenditure and transfers: by sector, 2023 in 1000 of national currency

Source:      Ministry of Culture (2025) Cultural Statistics Yearbook 2025

*                 The Domain / Sub-domain are those included in the Cultural Statistics Yearbook 2025.

**               Current and capital transfers.

In 2023, the Autonomous Communities spent 1 750.9 million euro on culture, of which approximately 51.7% corresponded to current and capital transfers to other levels of government and private actors. In comparative terms, the share of transfers is higher than that of the central government (43.4%), highlighting the role of regional governments as key intermediaries in the cultural funding system.

The main areas of expenditure for the Autonomous Communities are interdisciplinary cultural activities (43.4%) and cultural heritage (35.6%), which together account for nearly 79% of regional cultural spending. Expenditure on heritage reflects its strong symbolic value and its importance as a public asset, particularly in relation to cultural tourism. In the case of interdisciplinary spending, significant resources are allocated to cultural promotion, dissemination and cooperation, as well as to language policy, a key competence at the regional level. Among the remaining sectors, performing arts and music (14.6%) represent a significant share, reflecting their importance within regional cultural policies. There are, however, substantial differences across Autonomous Communities in terms of priorities and spending levels.

Table 6.2: Direct state regional cultural expenditure and transfers: by fields, 2023 in 1000 of national currency

Source:     Ministry of Culture (2025)

*                 The Domain / Sub-domain are those included in the Cultural Statistics Yearbook 2025.

**               Current and capital transfers.

At the local level, 54.1% of cultural expenditure is allocated to cultural heritage, including 24.3% devoted to popular celebrations and 13.3% to cultural infrastructure. Interdisciplinary expenditure accounts for the remaining 45.9% in 2023, including 30.1% allocated to cultural promotion.

Table 6.3: Direct state local cultural expenditure and transfers: by fields, 2023 in 1000 of national currency

Source:      Ministry of Culture (2025)

*                 The Domain / Sub-domain are those included in the Cultural Statistics Yearbook 2025.

**               Current and capital transfers.