Lorraine Williamson
Spain welcomed almost 9.75 million international tourists in June, the highest figure recorded for the month, but the latest official data suggest that the pace of tourism growth is beginning to moderate. Visitor numbers rose by 2.9% compared with June 2025, while spending increased more strongly to nearly €13.6 billion.
The figures leave Spain on course for another exceptionally strong tourism year. During the first six months of 2026, 46.57 million international visitors arrived in the country, 4.6% more than during the same period last year.
However, June’s annual growth was considerably slower than the 9.5% increase recorded in May. The number of visitors also fell month on month, from approximately 10.26 million in May to 9.75 million in June, an unusual movement as Spain entered the main summer season.
The figures do not suggest that Spain’s tourism industry is contracting. Instead, they indicate that growth may be becoming less concentrated around the traditional peak months, while weaker demand from some established European markets is being offset by visitors from the UK, the United States and other countries.
The provisional figures were published by Spain’s National Statistics Institute in its June FRONTUR report.
British and American arrivals continue to climb
The United Kingdom remained Spain’s largest international tourism market in June, sending almost 2.3 million visitors. That was 6.8% more than in June 2025.
US tourism also continued its rapid expansion. Almost 614,000 visitors arrived from the United States during the month, an increase of 12.3%.
The rise reflects the growing importance of long-haul markets to Spain’s tourism industry. Expanded direct air connections, particularly between Spanish cities and North America, have helped destinations attract visitors who often spend more per day than tourists arriving from nearby European countries.
Ireland moved in the opposite direction. Around 325,000 Irish residents visited Spain in June, 9.2% fewer than a year earlier, the sharpest decline among the principal markets included in the official figures.
Fewer tourists arrive from Germany and France
The number of visitors from Germany, Spain’s second-largest tourism market, fell by 5.9% to approximately 1.15 million.
Almost 989,000 French tourists arrived during June, a decrease of 1.7%. Over the first half of the year, however, French arrivals remained 1% above the same period in 2025.
The Nordic countries also recorded growth, with June arrivals increasing by 12.5%. Italian tourism rose by 5.3%, while visitor numbers from the Netherlands increased by 5.6%.
The changing balance shows Spain becoming less dependent on a small number of traditional northern European markets. That diversification may provide some protection when economic uncertainty or weaker consumer confidence affects individual countries.
Spending grows faster than visitor numbers
International visitors spent €13.58 billion in Spain during June, 4% more than a year earlier. That was a stronger increase than the 2.9% rise in arrivals.
Average expenditure reached €1,393 per visitor, 1.1% higher than in June 2025. Average daily spending increased by 0.7% to €211.
During the first six months of 2026, international tourism spending reached €63.84 billion, an increase of 7%.
British visitors accounted for the largest share of June’s spending, generating €2.8 billion, or 20.6% of the total. Spending by UK tourists rose by 7.1%, despite average expenditure per visitor remaining broadly unchanged at €1,224.
Visitors included in the INE’s “rest of the world” category spent an average of €256 per day, considerably more than the €188 recorded for British tourists and €144 among French visitors.
The full spending figures are available in the INE’s June EGATUR tourism expenditure report.
Rental accommodation gains ground
Hotels remained the dominant form of paid accommodation, hosting approximately 6.7 million international tourists during June. However, hotel visitor numbers were 1.7% lower than a year earlier.
The number staying in rented homes increased by 10.1% to more than 1.12 million.
An even sharper rise was recorded in non-market accommodation, which includes second homes and stays with relatives or friends. Visitor numbers in this category increased by 26.8%.
Spending by people staying in non-market accommodation rose by 16.6% to €1.94 billion. Expenditure among tourists using other forms of paid accommodation outside hotels increased by 5.9% to €2.79 billion.
The shift underlines the continuing growth of accommodation outside the traditional hotel sector. It will also add to the debate over tourist rentals, housing availability and the pressure placed on popular destinations.
Balearic Islands lead June arrivals
The Balearic Islands were Spain’s leading destination in June, receiving approximately 2.28 million international tourists. This represented 23.3% of the national total and an increase of 0.6% compared with June last year.
Catalonia followed with just over 2 million visitors, an increase of 1.4%. Andalucía received approximately 1.53 million tourists, a rise of 7.4%.
The strongest percentage growth among the main destinations was recorded in Madrid, where international arrivals increased by 13.9% to almost 885,000.
The Comunidad Valenciana welcomed 1.23 million visitors, 6.3% more than a year earlier. The Canary Islands, meanwhile, recorded a 4.5% decrease in June arrivals.
Across the first half of the year, Catalonia remained Spain’s most visited region with 9.57 million international tourists. The Canary Islands received 7.8 million, while Andalucía welcomed 7.33 million.
A record year remains within reach
Spain received approximately 96.8 million international visitors in 2025. With almost 46.6 million arrivals recorded during the first six months of this year, reaching or exceeding 100 million visitors remains possible.
The final outcome will depend heavily on July, August and September, traditionally among the busiest months for international tourism.
The slowing annual growth rate does not necessarily signal weaker demand. It may instead reflect a gradual flattening of Spain’s tourism calendar, with more visitors travelling during spring, autumn and winter rather than concentrating entirely on the peak summer season.
For the tourism industry and public authorities, the larger question is no longer simply how many people visit. The focus is increasingly shifting towards how much they spend, where they stay, how tourism is distributed throughout the year and whether continued growth delivers greater value without placing unsustainable pressure on housing, infrastructure and local communities.