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Spain

Last update: 01.12.2025 - older versions

On 2 October 2025, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure published, for public consultation, the text of the draft royal decree promoting digital terrestrial radio in Spain using DAB+ technology.

Read the press release

For national broadcasts, the draft legislation stipulates that the transition to this technology must be mandatory and synchronised. RTVE will be allocated an exclusive block of frequencies, which will enable it to increase its content offering capacity. It will also have greater coverage obligations and must reach 85% of the population within 24 months. Private licensees will be integrated into another block, where current coverage obligations will remain in place.

For regional and local channels, a two-phase transition to DAB+ is proposed. In the first phase, any broadcaster may transition to DAB+ at any time and independently, provided that this does not affect other operators or channel planning. In the second phase, the autonomous community will decide on the date on which, on a mandatory and synchronised basis, regional and local network broadcasts in its community will be carried out exclusively using DAB+ technology.

The hearing was open until 4 November 2025: Public consultation

On 26 November, Spain's National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) issued its report on the Draft Royal Decree. The CNMC welcomed that the new plan provides for the transition to DAB+ technology and guarantees the continuity of all existing licences. It makes a series of recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of the roll-out and ensure that the transition to digital radio is carried out with full guarantees.

RTVE to end medium wave, reinforces commitment to DAB+

In November 2025, RTVE announced the end of medium wave broadcasting. The public broadcaster said "Radio Nacional de España will play a leading role in the rollout of DAB+ digital radio in Spain. This step forward in the evolution of radio broadcasting in our country marks the end of RNE's medium wave broadcasts, after having been part of the radio service provided to citizens since its inception in 1937. The roll-out of DAB+ represents a milestone in the modernisation of Spanish public radio service provision and also responds to the need to adapt to the reality of European technological progress, where most countries are moving towards the digitisation of their radio broadcasting networks."

 

Radio Nacional de España begins DAB+ broadcasts

Coinciding with the celebration of World Radio Day and the centenary year of radio in Spain, Radio Nacional de España has started digital radio broadcasts in DAB+ together with Cellnex Telecom on 13 February 2024, with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard in our country, which is set to replace FM in the long term.

You can listen to the following broadcasts on DAB+:

- Radio Nacional and Radio 5 in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

- Radio 3 in Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

These broadcasts are in addition to the existing DAB broadcasts of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3, Radio 5 and Radio Exterior in Madrid and Barcelona.

On a monthly basis, RNE's offer on DAB+ and the coverage of the service will be progressively increased, starting broadcasts in other Spanish cities.

On 19 March 2024, Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 launched on DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela. On 18 April 2024, DAB+ broadcasts launched in Pamplona; on 17 May 2024, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; on 18 June 2024, in Mijas, covering Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola; and on 18 July 2024, broadcasts started in Mallorca, from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in Alfàbia. 

Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law, providing maximum geographical and social coverage, with the best quality and additional services specific to DAB+ and with free-to-air broadcasts and free reception.

Regional DAB+

In January 2020, the regional government in Navarra advertised capacity for six DAB services on a future ensemble for the region, designated FU-Nav. Simultaneously, the regional government advertised a total of 72 DAB licences across 12 ensembles, each of which will have local coverage.

In Mallorca, a multiplex licensed by the Autonomous Government of the Balearic Islands began broadcasting in February 2024, broadcasting four stations from the Serra de Alfabia.  

In July 2024, The Govern de les Illes Balears will implement, through DAB+ technology, IB3's digital radio in the first quarter of 2025. The Balearic Islands becomes the first Autonomous Community in which all three radio coverage (local, regional and national) will be offered in DAB+.

Last update: 18.04.2024 - older versions

RNE DAB+ services are on air in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

These broadcasts join the existing ones on DAB in Madrid and Barcelona.

RNE will increase monthly its content offer and coverage on DAB+ until the end of 2024.

 

RNE coverage: > 30% population

Rest of national stations: 20% population

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

Please note:

(a)    These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b)    The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

A total of 18 DAB and 4 DAB+ legal audio services are on air, but enhanced features as text, images or programme guides are not available.

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB programmes 17 2 19
DAB+ programmes 3 0 3
Total20222

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In Spain, 98% of new cars sold in 2023 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

 

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

Almost a 5% of digital radio receivers sold in retailers includes DAB/DAB+ receiver, although no DAB/DAB+ national promotion has been carried out.

It is estimated that nearly 3 million cars already have a DAB/DAB+ receiver in Spain.

Last update: 21.10.2019 - older versions

Spanish Broadcaster Radio Maria (http://www.radiomaria.es/) started DAB+ test transmissions in Madrid and Barcelona on 2014 December 30th.

This is the first time DAB+ has been used for radio broadcasting in Spain. This DAB/DAB+ network is operated by the Broadcast Network Operator Cellnex Telecom.

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

National station licenses are issued by the central government, while local and regional licenses are the responsibility of the regional government. Licenses are valid for 15 years with an automatic renewal for a further 15 years. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules which exist for analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is allowed by law in Band III.

There are three layers of services set out by law:

  • National, with 1 SFN multiplex and 2 MFN multiplexes
  • Regional (Comunidad Autónoma basis), with 1/3 SFN multiplex (nowadays without transmissions) and 2/3 MFN multiplex (not implemented)
  • Local, with 237 areas covered by different frequency blocks in Band III

Nowadays, due to the entry into force of the Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, DAB services are on air only to cover a 20% of the Spanish population (Madrid and Barcelona including their metropolitan areas). It is the minimum population coverage required by the current National Technical Plan for Digital Audio Broadcasting.

RNE is providing DAB+ services covering a percentage of the population above that minimum.

FORTA Radio Forum concludes with declaration for protection of terrestrial radio
20.04.2026 - Top story - Spain Spain
The 5th Radio Forum of the Federation of Regional Radio and Television Organisations and Bodies (FORTA), held in Cartagena and hosted by RTRM, concluded with the reading of the Cartagena Declaration, a document in which regional public broadcasters demand a guaranteed presence of terrestrial radio in vehicles and mobile phones sold in the European Union. The Declaration calls for the European Digital Networks Act to include a requirement to integrate FM and DAB+ receivers into all vehicles sold in the EU, with direct and prominent access, and to expressly prohibit their concealment beneath layers of commercial applications. The Declaration also calls for mobile phones sold in the EU to be required to incorporate DAB+ receivers with the emergency alert system.

(Federación de Organismos o Entidades de Radio y Televisión Autonómicos (FORTA)) Read more

Valencian Government’s public telecoms company driving preparations for DAB+
05.04.2026 - Spain Spain
The manager of the public company Infraestructures i Serveis de Telecomunicacions i Certificació (ISTEC), Juan Alegre, has announced the launch of a technical evaluation programme for various DAB+ digital terrestrial radio transmitters, which drives the Valencian Community’s preparations for digital radio and actively positions it within the process of transforming the radio sector in Spain. “These tests,” said Juan Alegre, “enable us to ensure that the technology we implement in our region meets the highest quality standards. Laboratory evaluation is a key step in guaranteeing an efficient, sustainable transition to digital radio, aimed at offering the best possible experience to the public.”

(Generalitat Valenciana) Read more

Spanish competition regulator recommends DAB+ rollout and safety alerts
20.03.2026 - Spain Spain
Spain's National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has published a report containing recommendations to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of the Spanish electricity system, based on the conclusions drawn from the investigation into the incident that occurred on 28 April 2025. The report includes recommendations for other sectors affected by their reliance on the electricity supply. In the telecommunications and audiovisual sectors, there is a call to strengthen coordination with electricity planning, including promoting the roll-out of DAB+ and automatic safety alerts. "The widespread roll-out of DAB+ and subsequently its alert system is an essential recommendation in light of the incident of 28 April 2025," the report says.

(National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC)) Read more

Spain: COPE cuts back on AM again
12.03.2026 - Spain Spain
In Spain, COPE, the second-largest national commercial radio station, appears to be phasing out several medium-wave stations once again. Since early March, no regular programming has been broadcast on a number of frequencies; instead, a continuous message directs listeners to tune in via FM or online. This concerns at least seven AM stations: Murcia (711 kHz, 6 kW), Ferrol (837 kHz, 2 kW), Zaragoza (1053 kHz, 20 kW), Orense (1143 kHz, 5 kW), León (1215 kHz, 10 kW), Badajoz (1269 kHz, 10 kW) and Valencia (1269 kHz, theoretically 50 kW), together accounting for 100 kW of transmission power. It has long been clear that the phase-out of medium-wave broadcasting in Spain has also gathered pace. At the end of 2025, the public broadcaster Radio Nacional de España switched off all its AM stations in one go.

(RadioVisie.eu) Read more

IB3 Radio celebrates 21st anniversary with the culmination of DAB+ broadcasts across the islands
27.02.2026 - Spain Spain
IB3 Radio will celebrate its 21st anniversary on Sunday, 1 March 2026, with four days of special live programming from the IB3 marquee on Passeig Sagrera in Palma. In addition, on 1 March IB3 will become the first autonomous community radio station in the State to broadcast across its entire territory on DAB+, a milestone that will open a new chapter for the public radio of the Balearic Islands: more modern, more stable and designed to reach the public more effectively. Following the switch-on in Ibiza, held on 30 January, and that of Menorca, carried out on 20 February, the culmination of the rollout will take place in Mallorca on 1 March. And finally, the Day of the Balearic Islands will also be the date on which the IB3 Música project is launched, a DAB+ music channel.

(IB3 Radio) Read more

Balearic Islands Government promotes DAB+ broadcast of IB3 Radio in Menorca
20.02.2026 - Spain Spain
The Government of the Balearic Islands has launched IB3 Radio's digital DAB+ broadcasts in Menorca, in the process that is making the Balearic broadcaster the first regional radio station in all of Spain to transmit using this cutting-edge technology. After the switch-on in Ibiza on 30 January, Menorca has been connected via the switch-on at the Toro telecommunications centre in the municipality of Es Mercadal. The culmination of the rollout will take place in Mallorca on 1 March, coinciding with the Day of the Balearic Islands. The Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Economy, Finance and Innovation, Antoni Costa, has welcomed the expansion of the new technology and underlined the regional Executive's commitment “to innovation that makes life easier for citizens and improves access to modern, high-quality public services”.

(Govern de les Illes Balears) Read more

Spanish Government confirms its commitment to developing DAB+
19.02.2026 - Spain Spain
The Government, through the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure (SETELECO) under the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Administration, has sent a message of congratulations to the broadcasting sector in Spain on World Radio Day, while reaffirming its commitment to developing Digital Terrestrial Radio in DAB+ format in our country. ‘Today we celebrate World Radio Day!’ wrote the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure (SETELECO) on the professional social network LinkedIn. It took advantage of the communication to reaffirm its commitment ‘to the modernisation of the sector and the transition to DAB+ digital radio,’ it said.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

EBU Radio Committee meets at RTVE
13.02.2026 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - European Broadcasting Union (EBU) WorldDAB Member - Spain Spain
On 12 February, RTVE hosted a meeting of the EBU Radio Committee at Casa de la Radio, the headquarters of Radio Nacional de España in Madrid. Among the issues discussed, and given the international context, was the urgent need to ensure that all new vehicles placed on the market in the European Union are equipped with terrestrial radio receivers. In this regard, current European regulations must be strengthened to prevent radio from being relegated to proprietary systems or applications controlled by third parties, which could even limit citizens' access to the public broadcasters they are funding. Maintaining FM and DAB+ receivers in all vehicles is essential to ensure the future existence of radio, including not only public broadcasting but also terrestrial audio broadcasting licensees.

(RTVE) Read more

RTVE's Javier Sánchez: ‘Only radio can defend its own future’
13.02.2026 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain Spain
Javier Sánchez, Director of Audiovisual Policy and Public Service at RTVE, and WorldDAB Steering Board member, writes: "World Radio Day is always a wonderful occasion to raise a glass to radio and wish it a long life. But apart from that, it is also an excellent opportunity to take stock of the events of the past year and look ahead to the challenges that radio will face in the future. If 2025 stood out for one thing, it was for putting an end to the paralysis that digital radio had been experiencing in Spain since the beginning of the century. In fact, the draft Royal Decree adopting measures to promote DAB+ technology in digital terrestrial radio broadcasting will complete its European processing phase on 27 April."

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

IB3 Radio begins broadcasting on DAB+ from Ibiza
30.01.2026 - Spain Spain
IB3 Radio takes a decisive step towards the radio of the future with the start of DAB+ digital broadcasts from Ibiza. With this launch, IB3 becomes the first public radio station in the State to begin broadcasting on DAB+, a milestone that opens a new chapter for public radio in the Balearic Islands: more modern, more stable and designed to better reach the public. The broadcast begins from the Sant Llorenç de Balàfia Telecommunications Centre, a strategic location that ensures solid coverage across the island. The rollout will continue over the coming weeks in Menorca, while Mallorca will come on board in early March, completing the first phase of the timetable for the introduction of public digital radio in the Islands.

(IB3) Read more

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 46.4 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 30%
Services: 19 DAB, 3 DAB+
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 98%
Last update: 21.03.2024

Useful Links

Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism
rtve
Cellnex Telcom