Spain and the European Union

Since joining the then European Communities in January 1986 to date, Spain has benefited greatly from being part of the European Union and has made a significant contribution to its development and to deepening the integration process.

Spain has implemented far-reaching policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) , the Cohesion Policy , the deepening of the Internal Market , and the Eurozone . Also noteworthy are the efforts directed towards building the Social Pillar, later materialized in the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the successful Erasmus scholarship and study program , with Spain receiving the most Erasmus students of any country.

40 years of Spain in the European Union: a historical overview

With the nascent democratic process underway after the end of the dictatorship, Spain officially requested its entry into the European Economic Community (EEC) on July 26, 1977. Eight years later, on June 12, 1985, the Treaty of Accession was signed together with Portugal, becoming a full member on January 1, 1986.

Felipe González Márquez, Prime Minister, during the signing ceremony of the Treaty of Accession to the EEC. Pictured alongside the Prime Minister are Fernando Morán, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Manuel Marín, Secretary of State for Relations with the European Communities. 12/6/1985. Source: La Moncloa.

From this moment on, the integration of the peseta into the Exchange Rate Mechanism of the European Monetary System (1989) and the signing of the Schengen Agreement (1991) were achieved , progressively eliminating border controls.

Following this initial stage, a new chapter of evolution and expansion of powers and aspirations took place through the signing of the Maastricht Treaty (1992) , transforming the then European Economic Community into the European Community (EC) and integrating it as a pillar of the project that is today the European Union (EU) .

The signing of this treaty, which would form the basis of the current Treaty on European Union (TEU) , brought with it numerous advances, both directly and indirectly:

The establishment of European citizenship .
The creation of the Committee of the Regions: a body that enables the participation of regions and local entities in community affairs.
Establishment of free movement and residence.
Implementation of active and passive voting in municipal and European Parliament elections : the ability of EU citizens to vote – active voting – and the ability to stand as a candidate – or passive voting.
Agreement in Madrid (1995) on the denomination of the euro as a common currency .

Following these essential preparatory steps, the treaties that formed the backbone of the European project were signed and ratified: the Treaty of Amsterdam (1977) , the Treaty of Nice (2001) , and the Treaty for a European Constitution (2004) – which, although it did not garner the necessary support for its adoption, sparked important debates. and the Treaty of Lisbon (2009) . Specifically:

The Treaty of Amsterdam (1997, entered into force in 1999) expanded the EU's powers in the areas of Justice and Home Affairs. It also established the status of Outermost Regions – granted to the Canary Islands, among other territories. Spain made a decisive contribution with the inclusion of Article 7, which established a sanctions mechanism capable of restricting the rights of a Member State for failing to respect the EU's fundamental values, and with the regulatory development of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, which led to the creation of the European Arrest Warrant ( EUR ), introducing the mutual recognition of judicial decisions.

The Treaty of Nice (2001, entered into force in 2003): reformed the voting system in the Council of the EU , facilitated institutional preparation for EU enlargement through measures such as limiting one commissioner per member state or redistributing seats in the European Parliament.
The Treaty on a Constitution for Europe (2004): ratified by referendum in Spain in 2005, it advocated for the balance of the institutional system and promoted the strengthening of the social and civic dimensions. It did not enter into force due to a lack of support in some member states.
Treaty of Lisbon (2007, entered into force in 2009): modernized the structure of the EU by introducing the “ double majority " to the Council – decisions taken by 55% of the States and 65% of the population, defining codecision as the ordinary legislative procedure and strengthening its capacity for global action by giving the EU its own legal personality .

From right to left: José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission; Herman Van Rompuy , President of the European Council; and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister; at the last European Council meeting of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. 17/06/2010. Source: European Commission..

Spain has made a decisive contribution to European construction in this process.

Spanish Presidencies of the Council of the EU

the fifth time in its history , from July 1 to December 31, 2023. During this period, it was responsible for organizing Council meetings and representing the Council before other EU institutions.

Under the motto "Europe, closer", during the Presidency significant progress was made on four main priorities of the roadmap set for the semester:

Promote the reindustrialization of the EU and its strategic autonomy
Advancing the ecological transition
To achieve greater social and economic justice
Strengthening the unity of Europe

Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government, presents the priorities of the Spanish Presidency at the Moncloa Palace on 15/6/2023. Source: La Moncloa..

A European horizon

Spain, in its Foreign Action Strategy 2025-2028 , places the European project at the heart of its foreign policy. The Strategy advocates for building a more autonomous, ambitious, and cohesive European Union as the core of Spain's foreign policy.

To this end, support will be provided for strengthening operational capacities at the European level and increasing joint funding for European public goods. Furthermore, greater coordination of European external action will be promoted, fostering strategic convergence in the perception of threats among Member States.

Spain remains committed to working in various areas to achieve more Europe, more and better multilateralism, and more democracy.

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