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Foreign investment in Spain is growing but still far from the 2024 record
Spain has received more than 12.4 billion euros in foreign investment in just six months. Most of the money comes from Estados Unidos and is focused on new factories and logistics centres. However, the figure still does not reach the level of two years ago.
What do a newly opened factory and an expanding logistics centre have in common? Both are at the heart of the latest surge in foreign investment in Spain, which in the first half of 2026 has exceeded 12.45 billion euros. The figure is striking, but there’s a catch: the country still hasn’t regained the pace it had two years ago.
The United States leads the list of countries investing in Spain, accounting for 23% of the total. The interest from the United States is no coincidence: most of the capital is going into industrial and logistics projects, sectors where investment has grown by 52% compared to the previous year.
Money is flowing into new factories and warehouses
Investor appetite is especially evident in the creation of new production plants and distribution centres. These types of projects have seen the biggest growth, suggesting that foreign companies see Spain as fertile ground for expanding operations and taking advantage of the country’s strategic position in Europe.
However, there are limits to the optimism. Although the increase is more than 30% compared to last year, the total is still far from the 21.5 billion euros reached in the first half of 2024. The current jump is significant, but the recent record remains out of reach.
Who’s putting up the money?
The United States takes the gold medal in investment, with almost a quarter of the total. The rest of the capital comes from other countries, though the report doesn’t specify which ones. What is clear is that international investment in Spain is focused on sectors that require solid infrastructure and the ability to grow quickly.
What does this mean for Barcelona?
For a city like Barcelona, where logistics and industry are major players, these developments could mean new job opportunities and more economic activity. However, the gap compared to 2024 levels is a reminder that the competition to attract capital is still fierce, and that the international context could change the outlook at any time.
The rebound in foreign investment in Spain during 2026 is a positive sign, but not enough to declare victory. The country is regaining some lost ground, especially in industrial and logistics sectors, though the 2024 benchmark remains the one to beat. For Barcelona and other cities, the challenge is to stay attractive and turn these millions into projects that make a real impact on the local economy.