Spain expects 43 million tourists through Sept. as summer spending rises 10%

Spain hasn’t changed its entry rules, but travelers arriving through September face packed destinations and tighter accommodation as international visits reach record levels.

Entry rules stay the same

The government expects about 43 million international tourists from June through September, up 6% from the same period last year. The forecast itself adds no biometric registration, e-gate rule, visa-on-arrival process or nationwide tourism permit.

EU citizens retain freedom of movement. Entry conditions for non-EU visitors still depend on nationality and length of stay under existing Schengen rules, while Spain’s residency rules remain separate from short tourist visits.

July and August bring the most pressure

Crowding is expected to peak in July and August, particularly in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, the Balearic Islands and coastal destinations such as the Costa del Sol. International visitors are projected to spend nearly €64 billion (about $75 billion) during the four-month period, a 10% annual increase, Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said July 6.

For nomads and long-stay travelers, the practical move is to reserve accommodation earlier in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga and the Balearic Islands. Government and industry reporting points to reduced last-minute availability and higher summer prices for short- and mid-term rentals.

Local taxes and rental controls still apply

The tourism forecast didn’t create a national visitor fee. Barcelona and the Balearic Islands continue to levy local or regional accommodation taxes, while Barcelona and Madrid have tightened enforcement against unlicensed tourist rentals.

Those controls can reduce legal short-term rental inventory even as visitor demand rises. Spain is on track for roughly 100 million international tourists across the full year, after receiving about 96 million to 97 million in 2025.