Spain and the European Union

Since joining European Economic Community in 1986, Spain has played a key role in the construction of the European project. Over the last four decades, Spain has been actively involved in EU policy-making, the consolidation of the euro and the enlargement of the European Union (EU). This article discusses Spain's evolution within the EU, its main contributions and the challenges it faces in the current context.

History of Spain in the European Union

Spain officially applied to join the European Economic Community (EEC) on 26 July 1977, driven by the democratic process. Eight years later, on 12 June 1985, Spain signed the Treaty of Accession together with Portugal, becoming a full member on 1 January 1986.

Since then, Spain has been a key player in the consolidation of the European project. The following milestones can be highlighted:

1989: Integration of the peseta into the Exchange Rate Mechanism of the European Monetary System.
1991: Signing of the Schengen Agreement phasing out border controls.
1992: Signing of the Maastricht Treaty which established the European Union and laid the foundations for the euro.
1995: Agreement in Madrid on the denomination of the common currency the euro.
2002: Introduction of the euro in civil society.

Spain has been active in the negotiation and development of key treaties:

Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): Extending the EU's competences in justice and home affairs.
Treaty of Nice (2001): Reforming the voting system in the EU Council.
Treaty of Lisbon (2009): Modernising the EU's structure and strengthening its capacity for global action.

Minister Albares meets the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in Madrid. MAUC

What are the key areas of our involvement?

Spain has contributed to the development of major EU policies, including:

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Internal Market, Energy and Transport.
Industrial, Educational and Social Policy.

In recent years, Spain has pushed for the reorientation of these policies to address the challenges of the 21st century, such as:

Fair ecological transition and sustainable economy.
Strong social policy and gender equality.
Secure and accessible digitisation for all.
Innovation and industrial competitiveness in the EU.

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) seeks to strengthen the financial stability of the euro area through a common monetary policy with the European Central Bank, fiscal rules for budgetary discipline and coordination of economic policies among member states.

In 2012, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was created to financially support countries in economic difficulties.

Banking and Capital Markets Union

To strengthen EMU, two key pillars have been developed:

Banking Union (BU): Single supervisory mechanism of the European banking system.
Capital Markets Union (CMU): Facilitating access to diversified financing for businesses.

In 2023, the EU proposed the creation of the digital euro, a digital currency complementary to cash.

European Cohesion Policy and Spain

Cohesion policy accounts for almost a third of the EU budget and aims to reduce economic and social inequalities.

Spain is the third largest beneficiary, with 35,562 million euros allocated in the period 2021-2027 through:

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): Territorial and economic balance.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+): Investment in employment and education.
Cohesion Fund: Infrastructure and environment.
Just Transition Fund: Support for regions affected by climate transition.

Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU (July-December 2023)

What were our priorities and achievements?

During its mandate, Spain established four key axes:

Reindustrialisation and EU strategic autonomy.
Ecological transition and sustainability.
Social and economic support:
Strengthening European unity.

Milestones reached include:

Key agreements: Critical Commodities Act, Electricity Market Reform, Artificial Intelligence Regulation.
Migration and Asylum Pact: Abolition of Schengen border controls for Romania and Bulgaria.
Progress on the European Green Pact: Nature Restoration Act, Energy Efficiency Directive.
Social protection: Care Strategy, European Disability Card.

Minister Albares with the High Representative at the entrance of the "Gymnich meeting,” the informal meeting of EU Member States' foreign ministers. EFE

Enlargement and Foreign Affairs of the EU

Spain has pushed for EU enlargement, as reflected in the Granada Declaration (2023), which defined enlargement as a strategic investment in security and prosperity.

Accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
Boosting the integration of the Western Balkans.

International Relations and Strategic Autonomy

Spain has defended the EU's open strategic autonomy, promoting agreements with:

Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-CELAC 2023 Summit).
Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (Samoa Agreement, 2024).
New trade partnerships with Chile and New Zealand.