Language tourism, combining language study with cultural immersion, is becoming a vital part of Spain’s tourism industry.
The rising number of international students shows that Spain’s charm goes beyond flamenco and tapas. Students come to learn Spanish while experiencing the country’s culture, history, cuisine, and lifestyle first-hand.
Spain’s FEDELE-affiliated language schools welcomed 177,576 international students in 2025, marking a 12.8% increase on the previous year, according to the latest FEDELE Sector Report. This record growth cements Spain’s reputation as a top destination for language learning tourism.
Language tourism in Spain: Gaining momentum
Daniel Escalona, Marketing Director of FEDELE, emphasised that 2025 enrolments are the highest ever recorded in Spain’s language tourism sector. On average, each FEDELE school hosted 1,585 students, showing steady demand for Spanish language education.
Italy led the way as the top source of students, followed by Germany, the United States, France, the UK, Poland, the Netherlands, and Morocco. Beyond the classroom, language tourism contributed around €475 million to Spain’s economy in 2025, benefiting hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local businesses nationwide.
A bright future
Today’s learners want more than traditional classroom lessons. They seek immersive experiences, interacting with locals and practising Spanish in real-life situations.
With record student numbers, strong economic returns, and evolving programmes, language tourism in Spain looks set to keep thriving.
