Spain is undergoing a profound digital transformation, positioning itself as a leader in the European digital economy. According to the latest report by Adigital and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Spain Digital Economy 2025 reveals that the digitalized economy now represents 26% of Spain’s GDP in 2024, a significant leap from 22% in 2020. This sustained growth is not only reshaping the Spanish business landscape but also setting a benchmark for digital competitiveness in Europe and beyond.
A Rapidly Expanding Digital Economy
The digital economy in Spain is defined as all economic activity based on digital goods and services. In 2024, it generated €414 billion, a 17% increase from the previous year and nearly triple the growth rate of Spain’s overall GDP. This figure is the result of three types of impact:
- Direct impact (12.9% of GDP): Value created directly by digitalization across economic sectors.
- Indirect impact (12.3%): The effect on suppliers and other industries through the supply chain.
- Induced impact (0.8%): Increased consumption by digitally skilled workers with higher salaries.
This acceleration reflects how digitalization has become embedded in business operations, public services, and everyday life in Spain. The country is now one of the most digitalized economies in Europe, with digital channels becoming the preferred way for companies and consumers to interact.
Sector Highlights: Finance, Public Administration, and Energy
The report highlights three sectors that exemplify Spain’s digital progress:
- Financial Sector: With a 45% digitalization rate, finance leads Spain’s digital transformation, contributing 15% of the country’s digital value-added. In 2024, Spanish banks and fintechs achieved historic profits, driven by digital efficiency in sales, channels, and payment systems.
- Public Administration: Digital transformation in government reached 13%, thanks to initiatives like “Mi Carpeta Ciudadana” and cloud-first strategies. Public administration now accounts for 6% of the digital value-added, with a notable 5.6% increase in its GDP contribution compared to 2023.
- Energy Supply: The energy sector increased its digitalization to 23%, investing in smart grids, operational AI, and personalized services. This has allowed it to contribute 5% to the digital value-added, driving both efficiency and sustainability.
Public AI: Building the Foundations for the Future
Spain’s leadership in digital public infrastructure is a key differentiator. According to the European Commission’s DESI 2024 index, 94% of Spanish households have access to high-speed internet (≥100 Mbps), well above the EU average of 66%. The country is also a top-20 global hub for data centers, with 143 facilities supporting both local and international digital operations (European Commission, DESI 2024).
Over €2.1 billion has been invested in public AI and digital infrastructure. Public AI-defined as open-access, government-managed AI systems-plays a strategic role in:
- Addressing social and sectoral needs,
- Democratizing access to AI and fostering innovation,
- Enhancing Spain’s economic autonomy and resilience,
- Boosting long-term competitiveness.
However, the report also notes challenges, such as ensuring sustainable funding, robust governance, talent attraction, and effective risk management. Six key recommendations are proposed: sustained funding, public-private partnerships, strong governance, technical viability, community engagement, and policy alignment.
Responsible AI: Empowering Businesses and SMEs
Artificial intelligence is now a key driver of business competitiveness in Spain, especially for SMEs, which represent 99% of the business landscape. While adoption of management tools like ERP and CRM is widespread, advanced technologies such as cloud computing and AI are still gaining traction-currently used by 9% of small and 21% of medium-sized enterprises.
To close this gap, the IAméricas AI Framework, developed by Adigital and BID Lab, provides a practical roadmap for SMEs to assess their AI maturity, manage risks, and implement responsible AI aligned with ethical and regulatory standards (BID Lab). This approach helps even smaller companies benefit from digital transformation and compete globally.
The Road Ahead: Stability, Talent, and Opportunity
Spain’s digital momentum is supported by ambitious national plans and EU funding, including the “Plan España Digital 2026” and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. These initiatives provide a stable framework for long-term digital investment, innovation, and talent development.
The combination of world-class digital infrastructure, responsible AI frameworks, and a collaborative ecosystem positions Spain as a benchmark for digital growth and competitiveness in Europe.
At Gedeth Network, we help organizations and entrepreneurs understand and capitalize on Spain’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Whether you are looking to expand, innovate, or adapt your business to the new digital reality, our team offers the strategic insight and local expertise you need to succeed. Contact us today (contacto@gedeth.com) to discover how Gedeth can support your digital transformation and business growth in Spain and beyond.
If you are interested in an in-depth analysis and all the data behind Spain’s digital transformation, you can access the complete report “Economía Digital en España 2025”, prepared by Adigital and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Don’t miss this article too, Spain as a Leading Force in Europe’s Economic Landscape
