International tourists spent €7.805 billion in Spain in January 2026, a 9.3% increase compared to the same month in 2025. According to the Encuesta de Gasto Turístico (EGATUR - Tourism Expenditure Survey) published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) on March 4, 2026, the average expenditure per tourist rose to €1,522 (+8.0%) and the average daily expenditure reached €177 (+7.1%). Simultaneously, the FRONTUR survey recorded 5.1 million international arrivals during the same period (+1.2%). This article presents a complete analysis of the official data, with comparative tables, rankings by country of origin and autonomous community, and what these numbers mean for Brazilians planning to live, invest, or obtain European citizenship.
📊 General Overview: Tourism Expenditure in January 2026
Spain started 2026 on the right foot regarding tourism. January confirmed what was already expected: the sector continues to grow, and the best part is that visitors are not only arriving in large numbers but are also spending more during their stay.
| Indicator | January 2026 | Annual Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Total expenditure | €7,805 million | +9.3% |
| Average expenditure per tourist | €1,522 | +8.0% |
| Average daily expenditure | €177 | +7.1% |
| Average trip duration | 8.6 days | +0.8% |
| Total tourists (FRONTUR) | 5,127,256 | +1.2% |
What really stands out in these numbers? It is the fact that revenue rose much more (+9.3%) than the number of people arriving (+1.2%). In practice, this means Spain is attracting an audience that spends more, which is excellent news for those thinking about starting a business or investing in the country.
🌍 Expenditure by Country of Origin: Who Spends the Most in Spain?
The United Kingdom remains the largest source of tourism expenditure in Spain, but with a downward trend. Emerging markets and the "Rest of the World" — which includes Latin America, Asia, and others — recorded the highest growth.
| Country | Total Exp. (M€) | Annual Var. | Exp./Tourist (€) | Daily Exp. (€) | Avg. Stay (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 7,805 | +9.3% | 1,522 | 177 | 8.6 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1,085 | -1.7% | 1,210 | 166 | 7.3 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 826 | +4.4% | 1,566 | 145 | 10.8 |
| 🇸🇪 Nordic Countries | 550 | -7.5% | 1,553 | 170 | 9.2 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 474 | -13.6% | 916 | 110 | 8.3 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 330 | +16.5% | 898 | 134 | 6.7 |
| 🌎 Rest of the World | 4,539 | +18.8% | 1,843 | 207 | 8.9 |
Highlights by Country
- Rest of the World (+18.8%): The highest growth came from non-European markets — including Latin America, the USA, and Asia. This group already represents 58.2% of total expenditure, surpassing the sum of all traditional European countries. The average expenditure per tourist for this group (€1,843) is the highest of all.
- Italy (+16.5%): Italians significantly increased their spending, with longer stays (+10.8% in duration). This growth reflects the strong cultural connection between Italy and Spain.
- France (-13.6%): The largest drop among major source markets, possibly reflecting internal economic factors and the relative strength of the euro.
- Nordic Countries (-7.5%): A decrease in total expenditure, although daily spending rose by 3.2%.
✈️ Tourist Arrivals by Country — FRONTUR January 2026
Data from the FRONTUR survey complements the expenditure analysis, showing how many tourists actually arrived in Spain:
| Country | Tourists | Annual Variation |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 5,127,256 | +1.2% |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 897,095 | +3.3% |
| 🇫🇷 France | 517,788 | -19.5% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 527,327 | -2.0% |
| 🌎 Rest of America | 431,425 | +13.1% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 367,717 | +8.1% |
| 🇸🇪 Nordic Countries | 354,110 | +1.8% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 230,120 | +1.5% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 199,216 | +3.2% |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 184,878 | +20.3% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 173,430 | +6.2% |
Focus on Brazil: The group that includes Brazilians grew by an impressive 13.1%! With over 431,000 people arriving, it is clear that our connection with Spain is stronger than ever. For those planning a move, this movement opens doors in various sectors served by fellow countrymen.
🏨 What Do Tourists Spend On? Analysis by Expense Category
The distribution of expenditure reveals how international tourists use their resources in Spain:
| Expense Category | Value (M€) | % of Total | Annual Var. |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 7,805 | 100% | +9.3% |
| 🎭 Activities | 1,829 | 23.4% | +7.9% |
| ✈️ International Transport | 1,769 | 22.7% | +10.2% |
| 🍽️ Food and Beverage | 1,257 | 16.1% | +7.6% |
| 🏨 Accommodation | 1,262 | 16.2% | +15.7% |
| 📦 Tourist Package | 1,042 | 13.4% | +4.8% |
| 🛍️ Other Expenses | 645 | 8.3% | +9.6% |
The most significant data point is the 15.7% growth in accommodation expenditure, reflecting both the increase in hotel prices in Spain and the preference for higher-quality accommodations. Cultural and leisure activities lead the expense ranking (23.4%), reinforcing Spain's role as a destination for experiences.
🗺️ Ranking of Autonomous Communities: Where Tourists Spend the Most
The geographical distribution of tourism expenditure reveals important patterns about which regions of Spain attract the most tourism investment:
| Autonomous Community | Expenditure (M€) | % of Total | Annual Var. | Exp./Tourist (€) | Daily Exp. (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏝️ Canary Islands | 2,241 | 28.7% | +3.6% | 1,570 | 193 |
| 🏙️ Madrid | 1,610 | 20.6% | +15.6% | 2,100 | 245 |
| 🏖️ Catalonia | 1,274 | 16.3% | +14.8% | 1,260 | 185 |
| ☀️ Andalusia | 1,079 | 13.8% | +9.0% | 1,499 | 161 |
| 🍊 Valencian Com. | 764 | 9.8% | +3.1% | 1,320 | 131 |
| 🏖️ Balearic Islands | 193 | 2.5% | +3.0% | 1,434 | 152 |
| Other Communities | 644 | 8.3% | +15.1% | 1,318 | 121 |
Regional Analysis
- Madrid leads in expenditure per tourist (€2,100) — the highest value among all communities. With a daily expenditure of €245, the capital is Spain's premium destination, driven by business (+59.8%) and cultural tourism.
- Canary Islands dominate in total volume (28.7%) — but with more moderate growth (+3.6%), reflecting the maturity of the winter destination.
- Catalonia shows strong recovery (+14.8%) — despite a 6.2% drop in arrivals (FRONTUR), expenditure grew significantly, indicating higher value-added tourism.
🏢 Type of Accommodation and Trip Profile
The analysis by type of accommodation reveals important trends in how tourists organize their trips:
| Category | Expenditure (M€) | Annual Var. | Daily Exp. (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Type of Accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Hotel | 4,210 (53.9%) | +10.4% | 269 |
| 🏠 Other market accommodation | 1,790 | +35.5% | 137 |
| 🏡 Non-market accommodation | 1,804 | -10.1% | 116 |
| By Reason for Trip | |||
| 🎡 Leisure/Holidays | 5,930 (76.0%) | +2.4% | 196 |
| 💼 Business | 512 | +59.8% | 228 |
| 📋 Other reasons | 1,362 | +32.3% | 116 |
Highlight: Business tourism grew by an impressive 59.8% — reflecting Spain's growing attractiveness as a European business hub. This segment has the highest daily expenditure (€228) and signals opportunities for professionals considering immigrating to Spain for work.
🔑 What Does This Mean for Brazilians?
The EGATUR and FRONTUR data from January 2026 provide valuable insights for Brazilians considering Spain as a destination for life, investment, or tourism:
1. Investment and Work Opportunities
The Spanish tourism sector continues to expand. With a total expenditure of nearly €8 billion in a single winter month, there are significant opportunities in:
- Hospitality and gastronomy — Accommodation expenditure rose 15.7% and food 7.6%.
- Experience tourism — Activities lead with 23.4% of total expenditure.
- Business and consulting — 59.8% growth in business tourism.
2. Cost of Living and Planning
Average daily expenditure data by region helps estimate costs:
- Madrid: €245/day — the most expensive region.
- Canary Islands: €193/day — balance between cost and quality.
- Valencian Community: €131/day — best value among major regions.
3. European Citizenship as an Enabler
For Brazilians with Italian citizenship or Portuguese citizenship, living and working in Spain is a right guaranteed by EU free movement. Studio Cidadania's immigration consultancy for Spain can guide you from obtaining citizenship to settling in the country.
📈 Comparative Trends: January 2025 vs. January 2026
| Indicator | Jan/2025 | Jan/2026 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenditure | €7,132 M | €7,805 M | +9.3% |
| Avg. Exp./Tourist | €1,409 | €1,522 | +8.0% |
| Avg. Daily Exp. | €165 | €177 | +7.1% |
| Tourists (FRONTUR) | 5,066,312 | 5,127,256 | +1.2% |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much did international tourists spend in Spain in January 2026?
International tourists spent a total of €7,805 million (€7.8 billion) in Spain in January 2026, a 9.3% increase compared to January 2025, according to EGATUR data from the INE.
What was the average daily expenditure of a tourist in Spain in January 2026?
The average daily expenditure was €177 per person, with significant variation by region: €245/day in Madrid, €193/day in the Canary Islands, and €131/day in the Valencian Community.
How many international tourists visited Spain in January 2026?
According to the FRONTUR survey from the INE, Spain received 5,127,256 international tourists in January 2026, a 1.2% increase compared to the same month in 2025.
Which country spends the most on tourism in Spain?
The "Rest of the World" group (including Latin America, USA, and Asia) led with €4,539 million (58.2% of the total). Among individual countries, the United Kingdom was the largest source of expenditure, with €1,085 million (13.9%).
Which is the most expensive region for tourism in Spain?
Madrid is the region with the highest expenditure per tourist (€2,100) and highest daily expenditure (€245), driven by business and cultural tourism. For better value tourism, the Valencian Community has the lowest daily expenditure (€131) among the major regions.
Is business tourism growing in Spain?
Yes, business tourism saw the highest growth in January 2026, with a 59.8% increase in total expenditure. The average daily expenditure for this segment was €228, the highest among all reasons for travel.
Can Brazilians work in the Spanish tourism sector?
Brazilians with Italian citizenship, Portuguese citizenship, or another EU citizenship can work freely in Spain. For those without European citizenship, it is necessary to obtain a work or residence visa. Studio Cidadania's immigration consultancy for Spain can help in both scenarios.
📋 Methodology and Sources
The data presented in this article comes from two official surveys by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) of Spain, published on March 4, 2026:
- EGATUR (Encuesta de Gasto Turístico): a continuous monthly survey with an annual sample of over 127,000 interviews, conducted at the main exit points of the country (airports, ports, roads, and railways). It follows UN Tourism and Eurostat recommendations.
- FRONTUR (Estadística de Movimientos Turísticos en Fronteras): a monthly survey with an annual sample of over 450,000 interviews, covering all access points to Spanish territory.
Official sources:
Provisional data. All values in euros (€). Variations calculated relative to the same period of the previous year.
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