On July 8, 2022 2022, the Spanish Government officially presented the Digital Spain Agenda 2026. It was the update of the strategy launched in 2020 as a roadmap for the country’s digital transformation and had a clear objective: to turn Spain into a competitive, cohesive, technologically advanced country that is closely aligned with European digital priorities.

This is not a theoretical document, but a complete operational plan. operational plan that structures almost 50 concrete measures and investment programs to accelerate technological adoption in three key dimensions: Infrastructure and technology; Economy y People. In addition, it also introduced two strategic cross-cutting themes: the PERTE (Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation) and Retechs (Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation). Retech (Territorial Networks of Technological Specialization).

Time has passed, and what seemed like a distant temporal goal is now here. 2026 has begun and some of the goals have been achieved, while for others there is still some way to go. But what were the main motivations for launching this ambitious plan?

The objective – also shared by the companies that are part of DigitalES – was to leverage technology to stimulate sustainable economic growth. stimulate sustainable economic growthgenerate quality employmentimprove productivity and strengthen social and territorial cohesion throughout the country. 23

Infrastructure and key technologies

One of the key pillars of Digital Spain 2026 is to ensure that the whole country has robust digital connectivity. The plan aimed for 100% of the population to have high-speed broadband coverage (100 Mbps or more) and for the radio spectrum to be fully 5G-ready by 2025.

According to data collected on the website España DigitalBy February 2026, 94% of the population will have ultrafast fixed broadband coverage (100 Mbps or more) and 96% will have 5G coverage. The percentages drop, respectively, to 88% and 80% in rural areas.

The agenda also puts a special focus on strengthening national national cybersecurity and fostering entrepreneurial and talent ecosystems in this field, as well as encouraging the mass adoption of AI and data technologies by AI and data technologies by Spanish companies..

Transformation of the economy and the public sector

Digital Spain includes specific plans for the digitalization of digitalization of SMEs and the modernization of key productive sectors. It also envisages a profound transformation of the Public Administrationstreamlining digital services in justice, employment, social policies and other areas of the public sector.

The European Funds have played an important role in this transformation. To date, the last calls for proposals for 2025 and the ongoing calls for proposals for 2026 are still pending closure, 12 billion euros have been allocated to projects related to digitalization and technology in companies and institutions. In addition, according to the Government, nearly 880,000 Digital Kit vouchers and more than 23,000 Kit Consulting vouchers for SMEs have been granted.

People and digital competencies

Regarding digital skills, one of the key objectives of the agenda, the government website indicates that more than 2.5 million people have been trained in digital skills and more than 400,000 are in the process of training. 1.6 billion euros implemented in digital skills initiatives and more than 2 billion new millions committed to further training complete the initiatives developed in this field, where the Digital Bill of Rights as a reference guide to guarantee freedoms and rights in the digital environment.

PERTE and Retech: strategic drivers of the agenda

The development of the PERTE, The new projects are expected to be one of the key initiatives for channeling public and private investment for large-scale projects with a tractor effect on the economy. Not all the planned aid has been awarded, and those intended to promote the following projects in Spain are particularly behind schedule the semiconductor industry.

Another fundamental part of the Digital Agenda 2026 are the Retechs. Retech, programs that seek to complement PERTE with a more decentralized approach, promoting high-impact technology projects based on regional strengths. regional strengths of each autonomous community.

Are we moving forward or not? Current status of digitization

Since its launch, Digital Spain 2026 has generated a multiplicity of programs and investments. Among the most recognizable developments are:

• The deployment of broadband and 5G broadband and 5Ginfrastructures, approaching total coverage in a large part of the territory.

• The promotion of cybersecurity cybersecurity initiativeswith capacity-building programs and new operational centers.

• The digitization of SMEs through programs such as Digital Kitwhich has channeled aid to hundreds of thousands of companies.

• Support for the creation of advanced infrastructures such as quantum supercomputing networks.

Compared to its European partners, Spain has made progress in infrastructure and basic skills, surpassing the EU average in basic digital competencies of the population. Specifically, Spain ranks seventh (out of 27) in the DESI Report, with 66.2% of its population possessing at least these skills. (out of 27) in the DESI Report, with 66.2% of its population possessing at least these competencies.

It is also very well positioned in the quality of its digital services, but continues to lag behind in business digital intensity and in the proportion of specialists in emerging technologies. At the global level, where countries such as the United States, South Korea and Singapore are leading in AI, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Spain faces the challenge of strengthening its innovative ecosystemnarrowing investment gaps and attracting specialized talent.

Thus, the aspects to be improved with respect to the 2026 agenda and the European data would be:

• The adoption of advanced technologies by SMEs remains uneven, with many companies still at basic levels of digitization.with many companies still at basic levels of digitization.

• Despite the increase, the percentage of digital specialists is still below the average of leading EU countries.

• The effective integration of AI in productive sectors and public services still faces barriers related to training, regulation and resources.

Spain reaches 2026 as a European leader in connectivity, basic digital skills and digital public services, but without a clear impact on productivity. The gap lies in low enterprise adoption of advanced technologies and a weak digital “hidden layer” (advanced cloud, data, automation and talent).

Although the digital economy already exceeds 20% of GDP, its productive impact is limited by the slow maturation of advanced digitalization.

In recent years, and reinforced by instruments such as the Spain Digital Agenda 2026, an unprecedented structural effort has been made to modernize the Spanish economy and society. Both the public and private sectors have contributed to this effort, which, despite everything, will reach 2026 with a sense of being halfway there.

And that is something that requires reflection. With a view to the next goals, it is important to take into account the economic and economic situation of the sector. Establish feasible goals taking into consideration the regulations and projects that have already been launched and the demanding investment commitments they require (Digital Network Act, DSA, IA, etc.).

Spain has made steady progress, but work must continue to achieve a society where technology is unequivocally transformed into great advantages for all.