Spain is accelerating its investment in innovation, solidifying a long-term vision for 2026
The 2025 International Innovation Barometer reveals that Spain is leading the projected growth in innovation investment across Europe, with 85% of companies planning to increase their budget in 2026—five points above the global average.
Beyond the quantitative increase, the report demonstrates a qualitative evolution of the Spanish innovation ecosystem:
- Strategic Vision: 42% of national companies already have a 10-year innovation strategy, compared to 32% of SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises). Only 11% lack a formal plan, which is well below the international average (16%).
- Technological Focus: The implementation of Artificial Intelligence (39%), the adoption of new digital tools (42%), and process optimization (32%) stand out as the principal investment drivers.
- Security and Resilience: 66% of organizations have invested in cybersecurity over the past year, and 78% anticipate reinforcing innovation linked to security and business continuity over the next two years.
- Localized Investment: 61% of companies maintain their R&D (Research and Development) activities within Spain, a data point that confirms the country’s consolidation as a favorable environment for corporate innovation.
- Sectorial Differential: In the financial sector, 91% of companies foresee increasing investment in innovation, which is significantly above the global average (80%).
Although structural challenges persist—such as bureaucracy, talent shortage, and short-term vision within a segment of the SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) landscape—the Spanish context shows a positive trend toward more sustained, digital, and strategic innovation.
Conclusion: Spain is not only increasing its investment but is also evolving toward a more mature innovation model, based on planning, security, and technological transformation.
