Diversity and Inclusion in Spain

When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Spain ranks as one of Europe’s most progressive countries. The country has led the way on LGBTQ+ rights and continues pushing boundaries on gender equality in both business and politics.

This forward-thinking attitude shows up everywhere in daily life – from company diversity programmes to accessible public transport and inclusive healthcare. Getting to grips with how Spain handles diversity and inclusion will help you settle in faster and find the right professional networks.

Read on to learn about some of the nuances surrounding diversity and inclusion in Spain.

Accessibility in Spain

Accessibility in Spain aims to enable people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life. There have been huge improvements in recent years, but accessibility can vary from area to area, and people with disabilities should do thorough research before moving to Spain.

There are good facilities for disabled people in major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, with an increasing number of accessible parking spaces, ramps and lifts in public buildings, and audio and visual signals at pedestrian crossings. Over 90 percent of the metro stations in Barcelona are accessible, and around 60 percent of the metro stations in Madrid are step-free and accessible.

The airport metro line (Pink Line 8) in Madrid is fully accessible. Airports in Spain offer assistance to people with reduced mobility, and most train stations and city buses have been adapted to include ramps and lifts.

Useful links

• Tur4all: Accessible Tourism Platform

LGBTQ+ in Spain

LGBTQ+ rights in Spain have a long history of tolerance and acceptance, and the country is generally considered to be welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ people. In 2005, Spain became one of the first countries in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. The country also has robust anti-discrimination laws and legal same-sex adoption, and has banned conversion therapy practices. Transgender people can legally change their gender identity, and non-binary gender recognition is available on official documents.

Most Spaniards are accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, and there are thriving LGBTQ+ communities in many of the major cities, with numerous events and festivals throughout the year celebrating diversity and inclusion.

Despite the largely positive attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in Spain, discrimination and harassment can still occur, particularly in more conservative areas of the country.

Gender equality in Spain

Gender equality in Spain has made significant progress in recent years, and the country ranks 4th out of 27 countries in the EU on the Gender Equality Index 2024. The Spanish government has put strong laws and policies in place to advance gender equality and shield women from workplace discrimination.

Gender inequality still exists in Spain across several key areas, despite these advances. Women in Spain continue to face challenges in terms of achieving equal pay for equal work, and they are underrepresented in many leadership positions. The gender pay gap in Spain for full-time positions is around 5.7 percent, showing significant improvement from previous years when the gap was considerably larger.

Useful links

• European Institute for Gender Equality: Spain

Women in leadership in Spain

When it comes to women in leadership in Spain, they are increasingly well represented in the workforce and in positions of authority. Spain’s current government cabinet is composed of 50 percent women, making it one of the most gender-balanced cabinets in Europe. In corporate leadership, women now hold 40 percent of senior positions in Spanish companies, up dramatically from 14 percent in 2004. The IBEX 35 companies have exceeded the 40 percent target for women on boards, reaching 41 percent in 2024.

Mental health awareness in Spain

Mental health in Spain deserves considerable attention, particularly as expats can be at greater risk of mental health issues, especially depression and anxiety, exacerbated by stress and loneliness. The Spanish government has implemented an extensive Mental Health Strategy 2022–2026 and a Mental Health Action Plan 2022–2024 to address these challenges. There is a good range of mental health services available, both private and publicly funded.

Most international companies have policies in place to provide support for employees with mental health issues, and mental illness is usually covered by employee health insurance schemes, although this is worth checking.

Expats living and working in Spain are entitled to the same free state healthcare as Spanish citizens. Any dependents are also covered if they live in Spain. However, the public healthcare system provides limited coverage for mental health services. Psychiatric care is included and can be accessed with a referral from a doctor, but there is limited access to public psychologists, and they’re generally only available for people with more serious mental health conditions. 

Expats in Spain who require ongoing mental healthcare services typically opt to visit a private psychologist or psychiatrist.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Spain

Useful links

• English-Speaking Healthcare Association (ESHA): Psychiatrist Directory
• International Therapist Directory: Global Network

Unconscious bias training in Spain

Unconscious bias training in Spain involves addressing an implicit set of often stereotyped ideas that an individual carries about groups of people who are different from themselves. These ideas are not purposefully adopted but rather develop subtly over time, and people tend to hold unconscious biases about groups they never or rarely come into contact with. As a result, they’re often inaccurate and based on assumptions.

Unconscious bias can profoundly affect both personal and work conditions. In the workplace, unchecked bias undermines key aspects of the company culture, negatively affecting employee performance, retention, and recruitment. In a bid to create a better work environment, many companies are beginning to establish unconscious bias training. There are also a number of online resources that can be used to improve self-awareness regarding bias.

Useful links

• Harvard Implicit Association Test
• Nonprofit Ready: Unconscious Bias Training

Diversification in the workplace in Spain

Diversification in the workplace in Spain has gained momentum as companies adopt diversity policies and the benefits of building diverse, engaged teams become clearer. Current data shows that foreign-born residents make up approximately 19 percent of Spain’s population, with a significant portion contributing to the workforce. Moroccans make up the largest percentage of foreigners living in Spain, followed by Romanians and Brits.

Madrid is home to almost a million foreign residents. Barcelona also has a large population of foreigners and attracts 8 million tourists each year, making it the third most popular destination in Europe, after London and Paris. There are also many international residents, particularly Brits, living in the Costa del Sol and in Sotogrande.

There are strict labour laws in Spain that prohibit discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnic or national origin, disability or religion.

Safety in Spain

Safety in Spain ranks among the best in Europe, with low levels of violent crime and terrorism, but you should still take the same sensible precautions that you would at home when moving to the country. While public transport is generally safe, there is a risk of pickpocketing in crowded trains and stations, particularly in tourist areas.

Spain consistently ranks among the world’s safest countries in international safety indices, securing its position as one of Europe’s safest destinations for residents and visitors alike.

Calendar initiatives in Spain

January – Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 
4 February – World Cancer Day 
8 March – International Women’s Day 
March – TB Awareness Month 
April – Stress Awareness Month 
1 May – Labour Day 
19 May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day 
June – Pride month (events in Madrid and Barcelona) 
10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day 
October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
10 October –World Mental Health Day 
14 November – World Diabetes Day 
November – Men’s Health Month (‘Movember’) 
1 December – World AIDS Day