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Spain

Last update: 04.06.2026 - 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.

The Royal Decree is expected to be approved once its processing is completed (around September 2026).

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.

One year later, by 13 February 2025, the coverage had increased to 15 cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Pamplona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Oviedo, Gijón, Valladolid and Guadalajara.

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 May 2026, The Govern de les Illes Balears launched the first regional DAB+ digital radio network in Spain, with 12 sites and a DAB+ population coverage even slightly higher than FM in the Balearic Islands.

Last update: 05.06.2026 - older versions

RNE is providing DAB+ services 15 cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Pamplona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Oviedo, Gijón, Valladolid and Guadalajara.

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

Baleares has become the first Comunidad Autónoma in Spain to deploy a regional DAB+ network with population coverage equivalent to FM (May 2026)

RNE coverage: > 30% population

Rest of national stations: 20% population

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In this country there are

National multiplexes: 3 Regular

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
Total	20	2	22

Last update: 04.06.2026 - older versions

In Spain, 98% of new cars sold in 2025 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2025).

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.

Javier Sánchez, RTVE: “It's about time”

08.11.2023 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

Javier Sánchez of RTVE has been elected a member of the Steering Board of WorldDAB, the international body that oversees the development of DAB, to promote DAB+ over the next two years, including Spain. How should we interpret this move by RTVE and your new responsibility? Sánchez laughs. "As a "it's about time". This is something that should have happened more than a decade ago. There are plenty of reasons. But suffice it to point out that RTVE was the only EBU Big Five that was not a member of WorldDAB."

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

RTVE, a firm commitment to revitalise DAB

06.10.2023 - Spain

There is no longer any doubt. The RTVE Corporation maintains that "the future of radio broadcasting in Spain depends on the implementation of DAB+" and, in line with this statement, has joined, as a full member, the WorldDAB, the international organisation that brings together all the players involved in the extension and implementation of Digital Terrestrial Radio throughout the world. The decision changes from the outset the prevailing status quo: the standstill in which we found ourselves, submerged by the pressure and interests of the private operators, who do not want to open up the advertising pie or the sector to other players.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

RTVE joins WorldDAB

26.09.2023 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

Radiotelevisión Española has decided to join WorldDAB, the association that promotes the adoption of digital radio worldwide based on DAB/DAB+ standards. The future of radio broadcasting in Spain depends on the implementation of DAB+, as is the case in most European countries. Especially in the case of a public audiovisual service provider such as RTVE, whose mandate is to provide maximum social and geographical coverage, with the highest quality and technology available. It should be borne in mind that, as of today, the penetration of linear radio distributed over the Internet (streaming) is only 7% of the Spanish population.

(RTVE) Read more

Emisoras Musicales expands its reach in Madrid with DAB+

20.07.2023 - Spain

Emisoras Musicales, one of the leading groups of thematic digital radio stations, has started broadcasting on DAB+ in Madrid. Emisoras Musicales has already been broadcasting on DAB+ for some time in various cities in eastern Spain, such as Valencia, Alicante, Castellón, Elche and Murcia. Now, Madrid joins the list, offering listeners a wide range of content and programmes. The broadcasts are currently unlicensed.

(Emisoras Musicales) Read more

Spain: RTVE wants DAB+ 'no longer ignored'

12.06.2023 - Spain

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE wants to offer its services "in all environments", including DAB+. This was more evident than ever at a conference that clearly aimed to get DAB+ on the Spanish political agenda. RTVE hosted the 'Trends of European audiovisual public services' conference last Thursday. It brought an analysis of how public audiovisual networks interact with traditional television and radio on the one hand and the internet, various platforms and social networks on the other. However, the focus was largely on radio, because there, unlike television, Spain completely missed the digital train.

(RadioVisie.eu) Read more

Ángel García Castillejo (RTVE): "We cannot leave aside the transition to DAB+, either alone or together".

10.06.2023 - Spain

The Corporation's Director of Audiovisual Policies, Public Service and International expresses his determination to face the challenge of digital radio migration in Spain. Today, 4 million DAB+ receivers "on wheels" can only tune to pirate stations. The 'R' of the RTVE Corporation was present, with outstanding advances on its future, at the conference "Trends in European public audiovisual services", which was held last Thursday at the Prado del Rey Auditorium. The conference was an opportunity for the public corporation to state its position in the debate, which has been frozen for two decades, on the adoption of DAB+ as the broadcast standard that will replace the majority FM.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

What to do to keep listening to your car radio

05.06.2023 - Spain

From 31 December 2020, all new cars sold in Spain will include a DAB or DAB+ receiver for radio tuning, in addition to the usual FM antenna. The big question is why it is necessary to incorporate this system in cars if Spanish radio stations have not spent a single euro on promoting this type of broadcasting in more than 20 years. And yet, almost all the well-known ones broadcast in DAB+ and every month new ones appear which would be considered illegal but which take advantage of the vacuum that exists.

(El Debate) Read more

RTVE's 'Trends in European public audiovisual services' event features DAB+

31.05.2023 - Spain

The Prado del Rey Auditorium will host a conference on 'Trends in European public audiovisual services' on Friday 9 June, starting at 09:30. The event will be attended by Elena Sánchez Caballero, acting president of RTVE, and will bring together representatives involved in decision-making and opinion leaders in the field of audiovisual public policies. During the presentations, Spain's inaction in terms of the deployment and implementation of digital terrestrial radio in DAB+ will also be addressed, as well as the emergence of gatekeepers and walled gardens as a possible threat to the continuity of public audiovisual service provision.

(RTVE) Read more

Spain: telecoms operator wants to force nationwide DAB+ itself

12.04.2023 - Spain

Spain is getting its first nationwide network on DAB+, after all. Operator Hola DAB and Spanish telecoms player Ibertel Telecom, which operates some 600 masts, are working together to, in a first phase, roll out DAB+ in 18 Spanish urban regions before the summer. The government in Madrid has still not recognised DAB+ as an official standard, even though Spain, followed the EECC directive, to mandate DAB+ in new cars. It means that currently a quarter of Spain's car fleet is already equipped with DAB+. So even if the country leaves it hanging administratively, there are radio stations and an audience ready to take advantage of existing opportunities.

(RadioVisie) Read more

¡Hola DAB! Ibertel jumpstarts DAB+ in Spain

11.04.2023 - Spain

Thanks to a new effort by telecom infrastructure company Ibertel, DAB+ is getting a jump start in Spain. After the initial roll out of digital radio in Spain in the late 1990s, the technology has largely stalled with DAB on the air in only a few markets. In recent years, however, the calls to implement DAB+ in the country have grown louder. In response, the Hola DAB project has quietly been moving forward to put in place the infrastructure needed to bring DAB+ to the whole of Spain. The initial phase of Hola DAB aims deploy DAB+ networks in 18 provinces across Spain, and then gradually growing to reach 95% of the Spanish population. Ibertel currently provides transmission services from 600 sites across Spanish territory. Despite being widely used elsewhere in Europe, Spain has not officially authorised the use of DAB+ in the country.

(Radio World) Read more