Spain and France
Spain and France have intensive political, economic and cross-border ties. Trade, energy interconnections, police cooperation and cultural links mean their decisions have everyday effects on both sides of the Pyrenees.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-06 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 94,235.4 M EUR | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Goods: Spain to France | 55,788.5 M EUR | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Goods: France to Spain | 38,446.9 M EUR | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Services trade | 38,809 M EURprovisional | 2025 · Eurostat |
| Export share: Spain to France | 14.4 % | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Export share: France to Spain | 7.5 % | 2024 · French Treasury |
| Investment stock: Spain in France | More than 28,000 M EUR | 2023 · Foreign affairs |
| Investment stock: France in Spain | More than 68,000 M EUR | 2023 · Foreign affairs |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade · Calculated by adding Spanish exports and imports.
- Goods: Spain to France
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade
- Goods: France to Spain
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade
- Services trade
- 2025 · Eurostat / national statistical agency · Exports and imports of services under BPM6, reported by Spain. Credits 24912 + debits 13897 M EUR. Not the balance or sales by local affiliates. Source flags: p, p.
- Export share: Spain to France
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade
- Export share: France to Spain
- 2024 · Direction générale du Trésor / French Customs · Spain as a destination for French goods exports in 2024, according to French Customs. This refers to 2024, not to 2025 or 2026. The year in the title and content takes precedence over the URL's old slug.
- Investment stock: Spain in France
- 2023 · Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Published rounded lower bound: more than 28,000 M EUR, not an exact figure or a 2024 flow.
- Investment stock: France in Spain
- 2023 · Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Published rounded lower bound: more than 68,000 M EUR. Not new investment in a single year.
Investment sectors
Spain in France: Telecommunications, financial services, warehousing and support activities for transportation, real estate activities, information services. 2023 · Foreign affairs
France in Spain: Telecommunications, insurance and pension funds, real estate activities, retail trade, financial services. 2023 · Foreign affairs
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Spain | France |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 1.91 trillion USD2025 · WB | 3.37 trillion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 38,627.25 USD2025 · WB | 48,985.73 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 2.82 %2025 · WB | 0.84 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.7 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 0.94 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 4.9 %provisionalprovisionalYear-on-year · Sept. 2026 · INE | 3 %provisionalprovisionalYear-on-year · Sept. 2026 · Insee |
| Unemployment | 10.38 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 7.54 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -2.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -5.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 100.4 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 116 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 2.94 %2025 · WB | -0.27 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 49,355,1432025 · WB | 68,720,3372025 · WB |
| Area | 505,976 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 606,410 km²2023 · BM / FAO |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDSpain: 2025 · World BankFrance: 2025 · World Bank
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personSpain: 2025 · World BankFrance: 2025 · World Bank
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Spain: 2025 · World BankFrance: 2025 · World Bank
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Spain: 2026-09-16 · ECB deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central BankFrance: 2026-09-16 · ECB deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central Bank
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Spain: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankFrance: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World Bank
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedSpain: 2026-09 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) · Published: 2026-09-29 · provisional · Provisional · Advance indicator of headline CPI; final results pending. Not HICP (5.0%) or core inflation (3.1%). Provisional data or an official advance release; subject to revision.France: 2026-09 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Insee · Published: 2026-09-30 · provisional · Provisional · National headline CPI, year-on-year, not monthly inflation or an annual average. Provisional data or an official advance release; subject to revision.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionSpain: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.France: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Spain: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Spain: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPSpain: 2025 · World BankFrance: 2025 · World Bank
- Population
- PeopleSpain: 2025 · World BankFrance: 2025 · World Bank
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceSpain: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOFrance: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAO
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
Planned electricity transfer capacity
5,000 MWBay of Biscay project
Target after completion; current reference: 2,800 MW. [2]
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Spain to France
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Vehicles and the automotive industry | |
| Agri-food products | |
| Fuels and machinery |
France to Spain
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Vehicles and the automotive industry | |
| Agri-food products | |
| Machinery, electrical equipment and perfumery |
Trips by residents of France to Spain
Millions of arrivals · Full years · Revised annual FRONTUR series
View chart figures and sources
| Period | France to Spain · overnight stays | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11,768,264 | INE / FRONTUR |
| 2024 | 12,922,998 | INE / FRONTUR |
| 2025 | 12,767,491 | INE / FRONTUR |
Connections between people
Resident communities and cultural, scientific and mobility links give the relationship continuity. INE counts residents of French nationality in Spain; this definition does not automatically include everyone born in France or people with Spanish nationality. [3] National Statistics Institute (INE)
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
Comparable travel figures: the same series, definition and year in both directions. Residents aged 15 or over; main destination; at least one overnight stay.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Spain living in FranceSpanish nationality; PERE | 329,548 | 2026-01-01 · INE / PERE |
| Residents from France living in SpainNationality; resident census | 127,015 | 2025-01-01 · INE / Census |
| Study and training: Spain in FranceInternational students; tertiary education (levels 5–8) | 5,101 | Academic year ending in 2024 · Eurostat |
| Study and training: France in SpainInternational students; tertiary education (levels 5–8) | 12,478 | Academic year ending in 2024 · Eurostat |
| Academic stays: Spain in France | ||
| Academic stays: France in Spain | ||
| Travel: Spain to FranceResidents aged 15+; main destination; overnight stays | 2,844,494tripsestimate | 2025 · Eurostat |
| Travel: France to SpainResidents aged 15+; main destination; overnight stays | 6,311,498tripsestimate | 2025 · Eurostat |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Residents from Spain living in France
- People of Spanish nationality registered as residents of France in consular registers. Includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Not a count of people born in Spain or of emigration in 2025. 2026-01-01 · INE / PERE
- Residents from France living in Spain
- INE annual census; nationality, not place of birth or tourists. 2025-01-01 · INE / Census
- Study and training: Spain in France
- Enrolment of internationally mobile students, classified by country of origin under the reporting country's UOE definition. Not a general passport-based count; excludes short-term credit mobility. Does not include OPT. Source flag: no flag. Academic year ending in 2024 · Eurostat
- Study and training: France in Spain
- Enrolment of internationally mobile students, classified by country of origin under the reporting country's UOE definition. Not a general passport-based count; excludes short-term credit mobility. Does not include OPT. Source flag: no flag. Academic year ending in 2024 · Eurostat
- Travel: Spain to France
- Tourism demand survey: trips, not unique individuals. Includes personal and business purposes; a multi-destination trip is assigned to its main destination. Excludes children under 15 and same-day trips. 2025 · Eurostat
- Travel: France to Spain
- Tourism demand survey: trips, not unique individuals. Includes personal and business purposes; a multi-destination trip is assigned to its main destination. Excludes children under 15 and same-day trips. 2025 · Eurostat
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
A bilateral treaty within the European framework
The Barcelona Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed on 19 January 2023, adds a distinct framework to joint work within the European Union. France describes converging positions on European affairs and bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Shared European institutions do not explain the entire relationship: there are also commitments between the two states. [1]
Police, justice and the history of ETA
Police and judicial cooperation played a major role against ETA and continues on terrorism and drug trafficking. France also documents the transfer of ETA-related judicial proceedings to Spanish authorities in 2018. Continuing operational work enables cross-border offences and evidence to be addressed. [3]
Research, culture and mobility
The relationship includes resident communities in both countries and institutions such as Casa de Velázquez, devoted to research and artistic creation. France also highlights rail links and cross-border energy projects. These ties connect territories, universities and professionals and do not depend solely on summits between leaders. [3]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-06
A key market for Spain
Spanish reporting for 2025 records 55,788.5 million euros in exports to France and 38,446.9 million in imports. France received 14.4% of all Spanish goods exports. Calculated bilateral trade totals 94,235.4 million: it shows the scale of a relationship involving businesses, supply chains and consumers. [4]
The Bay of Biscay interconnection
Red Eléctrica and RTE are jointly developing the infrastructure through Inelfe. In September 2026, Red Eléctrica reported 70% completion and progress on the Gatika station and subsea cable laying. The project plans to increase electricity transfer capacity from 2,800 to 5,000 MW: this is power capacity, not an annual quantity of energy. [2]
Interconnections expand the possibilities for exchange between electricity systems and are relevant to their operation. Planned capacity depends on completion and commissioning; the construction completion percentage does not mean the same percentage of new capacity is already available. [2]
Cooperation that requires implementation
Infrastructure is politically and economically important because it requires financing, permits, technical coordination and schedules. The treaty and shared mechanisms provide continuity, while projects such as Biscay allow tangible progress to be tracked. A joint agenda is better understood by following its results than by counting meetings alone. [1] [2] [3]
Milestones and consequences
- 2018
Transfer of ETA documentation
France documents the transfer to Spain of ETA-related judicial proceedings, part of sustained police and judicial cooperation. [3]
- 2023-01-19
Barcelona Treaty
The Barcelona Treaty adds distinct bilateral mechanisms to cooperation within the European Union. [1]
- 2026-09-21
Progress in Biscay
Reported progress on the Biscay works allows implementation to be tracked; it does not mean additional electricity capacity is already in service. [2]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Trade figures cover goods reported by Spain; services and investment are excluded. MW measures power. The 5,000 MW figure is planned future capacity, not an operational result in September 2026.
- Spain - Political and Economic relations | France Diplomatie
France Diplomatie · Institutional source · Document: 2026-04-02 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- The State Secretary for Energy and Redeia's CEO visit construction work on the interconnection with France through the Bay of Biscay | Red Eléctrica
Red Eléctrica · Institutional source · Document: 2026-09-21 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- France and Spain | France Diplomatie
France Diplomatie · Institutional source · Document: 2026-04-02 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- Foreign trade: country table, January–December 2025
Spain's State Secretariat for Trade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
Additional sources on products and human connections
- National Statistics Institute (INE)
2025-01-01 · Accessed: 2026-10-06 · Foreign population by nationality, not country of birth.
- Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2024 · Accessed: 2026-10-06 · Section 3.2, page 5; extracted directly from the official PDF.