Spending by international tourists exceeded 14.4 billion euros in September, 8.1 per cent more than in the same month in 2025

Spain welcomed 10.1 million international tourists in September, 4.3 per cent more than in the same month of 2025, according to figures published today by the National Statistics Institute (INE). As for spending by international tourists, this rose by 8.1% this month, exceeding 14.4 billion euros.

In the first eight months of 2026, the total number of international tourist arrivals stood at over 80.5 million, representing a 5.2 per cent increase on the same period the previous year. As for spending, up to September, foreign tourists spent 114.3 billion, an increase of 8 per cent.

During September, each international tourist spent an average of 1,429 euros, a figure 3.6 per cent higher than in September 2025. The average daily spending by visitors stood at 212 euros, representing a year-on-year increase of 4 per cent.

The most common length of stay amongst tourists this month was between four and seven nights, with more than 5.1 million visitors and a year-on-year increase of 7.8 per cent. The number of visitors rose by 12 per cent amongst those not staying overnight (day trippers), whilst it fell by 15.1 per cent amongst tourists staying for longer periods (more than 15 nights).

In September, the United Kingdom was the leading country of origin for visitors to Spain, with more than 2.2 million tourists, an increase of 7.2 per cent. In terms of spending, UK nationals spent 2.791 billion euros in Spain, 9.1 per cent more than in the same month of 2025.

In second place is Germany, despite a year-on-year decline of -4.7 per cent, with around 1.3 million visitors. Spending by German visitors also fell by -0.2 per cent, totalling 1.678 billion euros.

And third place goes to France. One million tourists arrived from that country in September, although it also saw a year-on-year decline of -1.5 per cent. Meanwhile, spending by French tourists totalled 1 billion euros, 6.5 per cent more than in the same month of 2025.

In the ninth month of the year, there was a notable increase in the number of visitors from the United States, up by 16.7 per cent. In terms of spending, the country showing the strongest growth was Italy, with a year-on-year increase of 8.7 per cent.

The Valencian Community: the region with the highest growth in visitor numbers and spending

In September, the Balearic Islands were also the top destination for tourists, accounting for 21.6 per cent of the total. They were followed by Catalonia (20.8 per cent) and Andalusia (15.3 per cent). The Balearic Islands welcomed 0.1 per cent more tourists than in September 2025. The number of visitors to Catalonia rose by 4.5 per cent, whilst Andalusia saw a 5.4 per cent increase. The region that grew the most this September was the Valencian Community, with year-on-year growth of 12.1 per cent.

The autonomous communities with the greatest weight in terms of tourist spending were the Balearic Islands (with 21.4 per cent of the total), Catalonia (19.1 per cent) and Andalusia (14.2 per cent).

Spending rose by 9.3 per cent year-on-year in the Balearic Islands, by 7.8 per cent in Catalonia and by 1.6 per cent in Andalusia. In terms of spending, it is also worth noting the significant rise in the Valencian Community, with an increase of 18.4 per cent.

Non official translation