High plateaux and mountain ranges such as the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada dominate much of mainland Spain, which is on the Iberian Peninsula. To the north, the country is bordered by France and Andorra, and to the west by Portugal. Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and two autonomous exclaves in North Africa: Ceuta and Melilla.
The most important sectors of Spain’s economy in 2014 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (24.1 %), public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (18.6 %), and industry (17.5 %).
Spain’s main export partners are France, Germany and Portugal while its main import partners are Germany, France and China.
Spain in the EU
European Parliament
European Parliament office in Spain 
Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Spanish government, depending on the policy area being addressed.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Spanish presidencies:
Jan-Jun 1989 | Jul-Dec 1995 | Jan-Jun 2002 | Jan-Jun 2010
European Commission
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".
European Economic & Social Committee
Spain has 24 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.
Committee of the Regions
Spain has 21 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.
Permanent representation to the EU
Spain also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Spain's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.
Budgets and Funding
How much does Spain contribute and receive?
Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.
Breakdown of Spain’s finances with the EU in 2014:
- Total EU spending in Spain – € 11.539 billion
- Total EU spending as % of Spanish GNI – 1.10 %
- Total Spanish contribution to the EU budget – € 9.978 billion
- Spanish contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.95 %.
More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:
EU-funded projects in Spain
The money paid into the EU budget by Spain helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.
Practical information
