Spain: physical activity policy snapshot

This snapshot presents strengths and weaknesses of national physical activity policy actions in Spain. Compare Spain with other European countries in our MOVING policy index.

> Read the MOVING snapshot for Spain in English or Spanish

Spain implements policy actions in all 6 areas of the MOVING framework. The highest assessment received was good, achieved in 1 policy area: public communication which builds behaviour change skills (N).

Within policy areas, weaknesses were identified in initiatives promoting physical activity in schools and for people of all ages and abilities (M), active design guidelines for open/green spaces (V), physical activity in the workplace (O), and policies promoting active transport and road safety actions (I). Gaps were found related to a lack of initiatives promoting physical activity outside of school hours (M), walking and cycling infrastructure, in addition to active design guidelines (V) and policies promoting public transport (I).

Much more needs to be done to improve the overall assessment of physical activity policies in Spain as only 1 policy area received a good assessment. All areas of structures and surroundings which promote physical activity (V) should be improved, alongside policies promoting active transport (I). National government action and good policy design in areas V and I are key to improving overall environments that enable physical activity.

Download a full analysis and breakdown of Spain’s results (pdf, English)

This country snapshot presents detailed results of the MOVING policy index for Spain. Full index results are outlined in the MOVING policy brief (pdf), which compares Spain with other European countries and explains the methods for producing this snapshot and the index.

The index assesses if national government policy actions exist across all areas of the MOVING framework and, if so, how well designed they are. We produced this assessment by benchmarking policies from Spain, collected through a comprehensive scan. You can view all benchmarked policies in our MOVING database.

Overview of physical activity policy status in Spain

Spain MOVING overview

Read more about the MOVING policy index
Download the MOVING policy brief in English or Spanish
Download all 30 country snapshots as a bundle (zip, English)

Summary of policies reviewed

The policies assessed to produce this country snapshot are listed here. For more details, consult our MOVING policy database.

Policy name	Area	Benchmark name
Active teaching units – Unidades Didacticas Activas (UDAs)	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Give me 10! – ¡Dame 10!	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
“Perseo” Program	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
SI Program!	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
“Localiza Salud” – Computer application	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Universe Woman II Program Universo Mujer II	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Inclusive Sport	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
The Fifty-Fifty Programme	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Salud y Bienestar de 0 a 3 Años – Gain health and wellness from 0 to 3 yearsGanar	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Teacher training course	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
PAFIC Guide for the promotion of physical activity in girls	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence – Guide for all people involved in their education	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Healthy Companies	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Spain Competes: in Business and in Sport	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Hacia rutas saludables – Towards healthy routes	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Programa Vías Verdes – Greenways Programme	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
To arrive, to travel, to live campaign	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
School path. Steps towards child autonomy	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Movimiento Actívate – The Get Active Movement	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Web “Healthy Lifestyles”	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
YouTube Channel for Women and Sports	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
España se mueve – Spain Moves	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Activilandia	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Take Care of Yourself+ – Plan Cuídate+	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Campaign 12 themes 12 months	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
International Sport Activity in School Age	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Physical activity and sedentary time recommendations	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Recommendations for the physical activity of chronic and elderly patients during the state of alarm	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
The Catalan Physical Activity, Sports and Health Plan (PAFES)	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Physical activity and health. Parent’s Guide	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Actívate, aconseja salud – Take action, advise health	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Consejo Integral en Estilo de Vida en Atención Primaria, vinculado con recursos comunitarios en población adulta – Integral lifestyle advice in primary care, community resources for the adult population	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings

NOURISHING country snapshots

We also have snapshots of nutrition policies in 30 European countries. Visit the Spain page or see all the country snapshots.

Get in touch

The policy landscape in any country evolves over time. These findings reflect our knowledge as of May 2023. To provide feedback or suggest updates, please get in touch.

Fill in our feedback form or email the team policy@wcrf.org

Spain: physical activity policy snapshot

Overview of physical activity policy status in Spain

Summary of policies reviewed

NOURISHING country snapshots

Get in touch

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