<h6><strong>Xabier González Barkos</strong></h6> <h4><strong>June 12, 1985. In the Hall of Columns of the Royal Palace in Madrid, the then Prime Minister, Felipe González, signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. Portugal signed the same document alongside him. For Spain, the act marked the end of a long and complex diplomatic journey that had begun in 1977 with the formal application for membership. Entry into force, however, would not take effect until January 1, 1986, a date that would mark the practical beginning of an unprecedented transformation for the country.</strong></h4> Four decades later, this anniversary presents an ideal opportunity to reflect on the benefits, challenges, and achievements of European integration for Spain. More than a nostalgic assessment, the moment invites us to assess the role the European Union has played in the country's economic, institutional, social, and geopolitical development, as well as Spain's place today in the European project. <h5><strong>An unparalleled economic boost</strong></h5> Accession to the then European Economic Community meant, above all, a qualitative leap for the Spanish economy. In just five years, the Gross Domestic Product doubled, going from $164 billion in 1985 to almost $380 billion in 1990. Per capita income, meanwhile, grew by more than 100%, consolidating Spain as a high-income economy fully integrated into the European common market. This growth was underpinned by the massive influx of structural and cohesion funds, which have since made an essential contribution to the country's modernization. Spain has historically been one of the main net beneficiaries of the EU budget, and between 2021 and 2027, it has allocated more than €35 billion in aid for investment in infrastructure, digitalization, energy transition, and territorial cohesion. On a physical level, the change was equally visible. Of the just over 2,000 kilometers of highways that existed in 1985, Spain today has one of the most extensive networks in Europe, with more than 13,000 kilometers. The modernization of its railways, ports, and airports has followed a similar logic, driven largely by European funding. <h5><strong>Democratic consolidation and social progress</strong></h5> But European integration has gone beyond the economic. After emerging from a dictatorship of almost 40 years, accession to the European Communities provided key support for Spain's democratization process. Not surprisingly, the political criteria for accession required institutional consolidation, respect for the rule of law, and the guarantee of fundamental rights. Since then, the Union has been a lever for the country's social modernization. Thanks to funds such as the European Social Fund and the EAGGF, Spain has been able to strengthen its education, healthcare, and social services systems. Public healthcare was universalized, the education system was expanded, and active employment policies aligned with Community guidelines were adopted. Gender equality and minority rights have also advanced alongside the European regulatory framework. Laws on equal pay, work-life balance, and protection against discrimination and gender-based violence have been promoted or harmonized by Brussels, promoting fairer and more democratic standards. <h5><strong>Europe as a space for citizenship</strong></h5> One of the most visible changes for citizens has been freedom of movement. Thanks to the signing of the Schengen Agreement and the progressive integration of the single market, millions of Spaniards have been able to study, work, travel, or reside in other European countries with virtually no restrictions. The Erasmus program has benefited more than 700,000 Spanish students since its creation, becoming an unprecedented tool for mobility and Europeanization. In turn, Spain has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Europeans who have chosen the country to live or invest. European citizenship—conceived as a complement to national citizenship—has strengthened a shared identity and expanded rights and freedoms beyond state borders. <h5><strong>Foreign policy, defense, and international influence</strong></h5> In geopolitical terms, EU membership has allowed Spain to strengthen its international role. Since its entry, the country has played an active role in shaping common policies, from agriculture to neighborhood policy. It has held the Presidency of the EU Council five times—the last in 2023—and has 61 MEPs in the European Parliament. Spain has also been a prominent advocate of cooperation with Latin America and the Mediterranean, priority regions for European foreign policy. It has also advocated strengthening the continent's strategic autonomy, particularly in energy, technology, and defense, especially after the geopolitical shift resulting from the war in Ukraine. <h5><strong>Persistent challenges and future challenges</strong></h5> Despite the achievements, not everything has been smooth sailing. These 40 years have also seen tensions and challenges. The 2008 financial crisis hit Spain hard, which was then exposed to excessive dependence on real estate and structural unemployment. The austerity measures promoted by Brussels led to disenchantment among part of the population, who perceived the Union as a distant and technocratic actor. More recently, the emergence of euroskeptic forces has introduced an unprecedented tone into national politics. Although support for the EU remains overwhelmingly popular (around 74%, according to Eurobarometer), parties such as Vox have questioned the integration process and defended postulates of national sovereignty that are incompatible with certain common policies. Enlargement towards the Balkans, treaty reform, the role of the euro, the green transition, and migratory pressure are issues that will mark the next decade, and on all of them, Spain must define a clear and constructive position, aligned with its interests but also with the common European interest. <h5><strong>A commemorative and symbolic anniversary</strong></h5> On the occasion of this 40th anniversary, the Spanish government organized a commemorative event in Toledo on June 11, presided over by former President Felipe González, one of the architects of the accession, and by the President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page. During the ceremony, tribute was paid to the Accession Treaty and its key figures, and the importance of strengthening the European project in the face of the risks of populism and political polarization was emphasized. The event also served to recognize the work of key figures such as José Enrique Serrano, advisor to González and later to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, for his role in the country's institutional architecture from a European perspective. In addition, various autonomous communities, such as La Rioja and Castilla y León, have scheduled commemorative activities throughout June, ranging from school workshops to educational public performances. <h5><strong>A shared history, a future to build</strong></h5> Over these 40 years, the European Union has undoubtedly been the main driver of transformation for Spain. The country has gone from being a semi-peripheral and politically young economy to becoming a consolidated player in the European core. The relationship with Brussels has been, like all deep alliances, complex but fruitful. Today, in the face of global challenges—from climate change to artificial intelligence, from geopolitical tensions to global competition—Spain must continue to commit to a strong, cohesive, and strategic Union. The anniversary is not only an exercise in remembrance, but also an invitation to renew our commitment to Europe, understood not as an abstract entity, but as a space of rights, opportunities, and shared progress.
