Foreign Sector
Exports of non-tourism services in Spain have exceeded €100.000 billion for the first time, surpassing tourism revenue and consolidating their position as the main driver of growth in the foreign trade sector. A report by the Exporters' Club analyzes this structural shift, which diversifies and strengthens the Spanish economy.
Spanish exports of non-tourism services have exceeded €100.000 billion in 2024, surpassing tourism and becoming the driving force of the foreign trade sector. This structural change, analyzed in a technical note for the Club de ExportadoresThis reflects greater diversification and competitiveness of the Spanish economy, with an average annual growth of 9,9% since 2019.
This analysis, prepared by Rosario GandoyProfessor of Applied Economics at the Universidad Castilla La-ManchaIt highlights the extraordinary dynamism of sectors such as engineering, consulting, financial services, and information technology. Unlike tourism, these sectors generate a high added valueThis is a particularly positive sign for the robustness of the Spanish economic model.
A structural change that fosters resilience
The report highlights a fundamental trend in the diversification of service exports. Historically, tourism has been the cornerstone, but its dominance has declined, falling from 60% of service revenues in 2000 to 47% in 2025. This decline is not due to weakness in the tourism sector—which also surpassed €100.000 billion in revenues for the first time in 2025—but rather to the robust growth of other services.
"This is a structural change that will undoubtedly have positive effects on the Spanish foreign sector, insofar as it fosters the resilience of exports and opens new avenues for the internationalization of Spanish companies," he emphasizes. Rosario GandoyAccording to the professor, this growth is due to "advances in the liberalization of trade in services, the expansion of global value chains, and the increasing incorporation of services into production processes."
From a chronic deficit to a surplus of 2,6% of GDP
The dynamism of non-tourism services has radically transformed the trade balance of this sector. At the beginning of the century, España It registered a chronic deficit, as imports exceeded exports. The overall surplus in the services balance depended exclusively on tourism. However, this gap gradually narrowed until, from 2007 onwards, a growing and sustained surplus was consolidated, reaching [a certain percentage] in 2025. 2,6% of GDP.
The coverage ratio, which measures the capacity of exports to finance imports, demonstrates this strength: that of non-tourism services stands at a robust 144%, well above the 92% for goods exports (2024 data). For reference, the coverage ratio for tourism services is 325,8%.
Among the most dynamic subsectors, the following stand out: services to companieswhose exports reached 46.581 billion euros in 2025. This figure places them very close to the most important traditional export item of EspañaAutomobiles accounted for 49.855 billion. Furthermore, ICT-related services now represent 3,6% of the country's total exports.
España It consolidates its position as a European power in services.
In the context of UE, España It has consolidated its position as the third largest exporter of non-tourism services, behind only the two major continental powers. Data from 2024 confirms this leading position, surpassing direct competitors such as Italia.
| Country | Exports of Non-Tourism Services (2024) |
|---|---|
| Alemania | 397.422 millones de euros |
| Francia | 300.912 millones de euros |
| España | 104.713 millones de euros |
| Italia | 88.872 millones de euros |
"These results confirm that España "It is building a more diversified, resilient, and competitive external sector, in which non-tourism services already play a role comparable to that of tourism and with growth potential that is expected to continue gaining prominence in the coming years," it concludes. Gandoy.
Key points and frequently asked questions about exporting services in España
Why is this growth more relevant to the economy than tourism growth?
Because non-tourism services, such as engineering, consulting, or ICT, are sectors of High value addedThis means they generate more wealth and skilled employment for every euro exported. Furthermore, they diversify the country's income sources, reducing dependence on a single sector and increasing... resilience of the economy in the face of external crises.
Which non-tourism service sectors are leading this change?
The services to companies They are the main sector, with exports almost equaling those of the automotive sector. Services related to these sectors follow in importance. information and communication technologies (ICT)whose weight in total Spanish exports continues to grow, reflecting the digitalization of the global economy.
What are the consequences of this overtaking for Spanish exporting companies?
For Spanish companies, this confirms the existence of new and powerful avenues for internationalization beyond exporting goods or tourism. It opens up opportunities in global markets for technology-based and knowledge-based companies, and strengthens their brand. España as a provider of sophisticated and competitive services globally, especially within the Unión Europea.
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