Spain

Last update: September, 2026

The majority of public cultural expenditure in Spain is carried out by regional and local authorities, which together account for approximately 83% of total public cultural spending (see Table 6). This distribution reflects the highly decentralised nature of the Spanish cultural policy system, in which Autonomous Communities and municipalities are primarily responsible for financing and implementing cultural policies, while the central government plays a more limited and coordinating role.

Between 2018 and 2023, public expenditure on culture—both in total terms and per capita—has increased across all levels of government, indicating a positive recovery trend following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. This growth has been supported not only by domestic public budgets but also by European funding instruments, particularly the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

The RRF has contributed significantly to cultural investment within the framework of Spain’s Recovery Plan, supporting projects aligned with four strategic priorities: ecological transition, digital transformation, social and territorial cohesion, and gender equality. Between 2021 and 2026, Spain has been allocated substantial EU funding—amounting to approximately 163 billion euro, including loans—which has reinforced public investment capacity across sectors, including culture.

In 2023, cultural expenditure by the General State Administration amounted to 1 285.9 million euro, compared to 1 750.9 million euro by the Autonomous Communities and 4 779.1 million euro by local governments. As a share of GDP, these figures represented 0.09%, 0.12%, and 0.32%, respectively.

Total public cultural expenditure per capita reached 162.5 euro in 2023. By level of government, per capita expenditure amounted to 26.7 euro for the central government, 36.4 euro for the Autonomous Communities, and 99.4 euro for local governments.

Per capita expenditure varied considerably across regions. Based on liquidated regional cultural expenditure for 2023, the highest levels were recorded in Navarre (89.6 euro), the Basque Country (80.9 euro), La Rioja (60.1 euro) and Catalonia (57.0 euro). At the lower end were Castilla-La Mancha (18.8 euro), Madrid (20.1 euro), Murcia (20.5 euro), Aragon (21.3 euro) and the Canary Islands (22.7 euro).

Overall, public cultural expenditure increased by 46.1% in nominal terms between 2018 and 2023. Growth was strongest at the central government level (+84.7%), followed by the Autonomous Communities (+48.6%) and local governments (+37.5%).

Public expenditure on culture accounted for approximately 0.53% of Spain’s GDP in 2023, up from 0.46% in 2018. Data on cultural expenditure as a share of total public expenditure—available only by level of government—show that culture represented 0.35% of total expenditure by the General State Administration, 0.65% by the Autonomous Communities, and 5.16% by local governments in 2023. All levels of government recorded increases over the period 2018–2023. The largest increase was observed at the local level (+0.31 percentage points), followed by the Autonomous Communities and the central government (both +0.08 percentage points).

Last update: September, 2026

The data in Table 6 show a high degree of decentralisation in public cultural expenditure. Traditionally, territorial governments (regional and local) account for approximately 85% of total public spending in the sector. In 2023, regional and local authorities spent a combined total of 6,529.8 million euro, of which 22% corresponded to regional governments and 61% to local authorities.

At the regional level, the Autonomous Communities accounting for the largest shares of cultural expenditure were Catalonia (25.7%), Andalusia (12.5%), the Valencian Community (10.5%), the Basque Country (10.2%), and Madrid (7.9%).

Table 6: Public cultural expenditure by level of government, 2018 and 2023

Source:      Ministry of Culture (several years) Cultural Statistics Yearbook and Population Census.

Last update: September, 2026

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.

Last update: February, 2019

The visual arts have traditionally been one of the main recipients of public support for creativity in Spain. Public resources are allocated to exhibitions, artistic production and the acquisition of artworks through state, regional and local museums and cultural institutions. Regional and local authorities also organise competitions, awards and grant schemes supporting both emerging and established artists. At the international level, the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, promotes the international presence of Spanish artists through participation in biennials, exhibitions, residency programmes and other cultural events abroad.

In the audiovisual sector, support is primarily channelled through the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), which administers grants for film production, distribution, exhibition and international promotion. Recent policies have sought to strengthen the competitiveness of the Spanish audiovisual sector, support independent production and encourage international co-productions, in line with broader strategies for the development of cultural and creative industries.

The performing arts and music sector benefits from a wide range of support measures managed by the National Institute for the Performing Arts and Music (INAEM). These include grants for creation, production, touring and dissemination across theatre, dance, music and circus. INAEM also supports artistic mobility, residencies and professional development initiatives.

One of the most significant programmes is Platea, implemented jointly with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, which facilitates the circulation of performing arts productions through municipal venues across the country. More broadly, support for the sector, traditionally centred on theatre, has progressively expanded to include dance, circus and popular music through a combination of funding schemes and sectoral initiatives, including touring circuits supported by networks such as the Red de Teatros Alternativos [Network of Alternative Theatres].

In the field of live music, programmes such as Girando Por Salas (GPS) [project GPS - Turn by Halls], organised by the INAEM in collaboration with sector organisations, aim to support emerging artists by facilitating concert tours outside their Autonomous Community, thereby contributing to their professionalisation and to the strengthening of live music circuits.

At the regional and local levels, support for creators is provided through grant schemes, artist residencies, touring networks, cultural facilities and cultural industry development programmes. In some Autonomous Communities, support for artistic creation is also linked to the promotion of regional languages and cultural identities.

Professional development constitutes another important area of support. Public institutions offer specialised training programmes for artists, cultural managers and creative professionals. Examples include the Escuela Pública de Formación Cultural de Andalucía [Andalusian Public School of Cultural Training], which provides training in artistic and cultural professions, and the Servei de Desenvolupament Empresarial [Business Development Service] of Catalonia, which supports the professionalisation and business development of cultural and creative enterprises.

Last update: September, 2026

Spain has relatively few funding mechanisms aimed directly at individual artists. Most public support is channelled through sectoral grant schemes administered by specialised cultural institutions, including the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), the National Institute for the Performing Arts and Music (INAEM), and regional and local cultural authorities.

One of the most important public funding instruments is the Fondo de Protección a la Cinematografía y al Fondo de fomento de la cinematografía [Film Protection Fund / Film Promotion Fund], managed by the ICAA within the framework established by the Cinema Law (Law 55/2007) and its subsequent reforms. The Fund supports film and audiovisual production, distribution, exhibition and internationalisation through a system of grants benefiting both companies and individual creators.

In addition to direct public funding, artists benefit from a range of copyright-based remuneration mechanisms. These include compensation for private copying (private copying levy), regulated under the Intellectual Property Act and aligned with European Union provisions, and financed primarily by manufacturers and distributors of recording and reproduction devices and media. Revenues are distributed to rights holders through collective management organisations.

Authors and publishers also receive remuneration for the public lending of protected works through libraries and certain cultural institutions, in accordance with the Intellectual Property Act and European Union legislation. Public lending rights are managed through collective management organisations, although exemptions apply to some categories of libraries, particularly smaller municipal and educational libraries.

At the regional and local levels, additional mechanisms complement national funding schemes, often with a stronger focus on artistic creation, emerging professionals, mobility and project-based support. Autonomous Communities and municipalities provide grants, residencies, artistic commissions and internationalisation programmes, contributing to a diversified and territorially distributed support system.

Examples include the grant programmes managed by the Catalan Institute for Cultural Enterprises (ICEC), which support creation, research, development and mobility across different cultural sectors, and the initiatives of the Basque Institute Etxepare, which promote the international presence and mobility of Basque artists and cultural professionals. Similar support schemes exist in other Autonomous Communities, including Andalusia, the Valencian Community and Galicia, where public calls regularly provide funding for artistic creation, production, research and dissemination. Together, these mechanisms play an important role in supporting artistic careers and strengthening regional cultural ecosystems.

Last update: September, 2026

Awards, grants and scholarships remain among the most common instruments used to support artists and creators in Spain. At the national level, the Ministry of Culture manages a wide range of funding schemes, awards and mobility programmes covering literature, visual arts, performing arts, music, cinema, cultural heritage and cultural industries.

Among the most prestigious distinctions are the Premios Nacionales [National Awards], which recognise outstanding achievements in fields such as literature, visual arts, photography, illustration, comics, music, performing arts, cinema, cultural industries and cultural heritage. Other major distinctions include the Gold Medals for Merit in Fine Arts, awarded in recognition of exceptional contributions to culture, the Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the highest distinction in Spanish-language literature, and the Velázquez Prize for the Visual Arts, which recognises outstanding contributions to contemporary artistic creation in the Ibero-American sphere.

Alongside awards, public authorities provide grants for artistic creation, research, mobility, internationalisation and professional development. These programmes are administered by the Ministry of Culture and its specialised agencies, including the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) and the National Institute for the Performing Arts and Music (INAEM). Increasing attention is also given to artist residencies, international exchanges and support for emerging creators.

In addition to public programmes, numerous foundations, cultural institutions and professional organisations offer scholarships, awards and residency opportunities. Notable examples include the Premis Lluís Carulla, awarded by the Fundació Carulla to support innovative cultural and artistic projects, as well as prizes and initiatives promoted by organisations such as La Fábrica—particularly in photography and visual arts—and specialised cultural platforms (Masdearte, Arteinformado or El Cultural), contributing to a diverse ecosystem of support for artistic creation and cultural professionals.

Last update: September, 2026

Spain does not have a system of permanent institutional funding for artists’ associations or trade unions. However, professional organisations can access public support through competitive grant programmes at both national and regional levels.

At the national level, the Ministry of Culture provides funding for cultural action, promotion and professionalisation projects carried out by non-profit cultural organisations. These programmes aim to strengthen the cultural sector, improve professional capacities, encourage networking and foster participation in cultural policymaking. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to reinforcing the role of professional associations and trade unions as representative bodies within the cultural sector. In 2025, the Ministry launched a specific programme to support non-profit cultural organisations and trade unions operating at the state level, with the objective of strengthening their representativeness and their contribution to cultural policy development.

Sector-specific support is also available. The National Institute for the Performing Arts and Music (INAEM) provides grants to associations, federations and confederations active in theatre, dance, music and circus arts, supporting professional events, sectoral cooperation, dissemination activities, and projects with national or international reach. Representative organisations in the sector include entities such as the Federación Estatal de Asociaciones de Empresas de Teatro y Danza [State Federation of Associations of Theatre and Dance Companies], the Red Española de Teatros, Auditorios, Circuitos y Festivales de Titularidad Pública [Spanish Network of Theatres, Auditoriums, Circuits and Festivals of Public Ownership], and networks of independent venues and promoters.

Collective management organisations also play a complementary role in supporting professional communities. Organisations such as SGAE, AIE, VEGAP and DAMA operate grant schemes, training programmes, welfare funds and professional development initiatives for creators and rights holders, thereby contributing to the sustainability of artistic careers and strengthening professional representation within the cultural sector.