Discover
The identity of the nation
Spain was, for centuries, one of the world’s greatest Catholic powers and the starting point for countless missions to the Americas, Asia, and Africa. That religious heritage still marks the architecture, festivals, and calendar, but living faith has become rare: today the country is one of the most secularized societies in Europe.
The numbers tell that story. About 55% of Spaniards still call themselves Catholic, but most do not practice, and more than 40% now identify as having no religion, atheist, or agnostic. Among young people, Christian identification has fallen to close to a third. Evangelicals are a small minority, between 1% and 2% of the population.
Even so, there are signs of life. The number of evangelical churches keeps growing steadily, and the large presence of Latin American and African immigrants has brought new life to communities of faith, which often gather more foreigners than Spaniards.
Spain is a challenging and strategic field, considered by many a post-Christian nation. The obstacle is not open hostility but spiritual indifference: for much of the country, faith belongs to the past.
Serving there calls for patience and relationship. Doors open at the table, in the plaza, and over coffee, where Spanish life truly happens, and where sincere friendships can become bridges to the gospel.
- Ancient tradition links the preaching of Paul and James to the Iberian Peninsula in the early centuries.
- 4th century Christianity becomes established under Roman rule; the first councils emerge.
- 711 Muslim invasion and the beginning of Al-Andalus.
- 8th-15th centuries Muslim rule and the long Christian Reconquista.
- 1492 End of the Reconquista and the beginning of maritime and missionary expansion to the Americas.
- 16th century The Inquisition suppresses the Reformation; Spain remains intensely Catholic.
- 16th-17th centuries Golden Age: Spain sends Catholic missions to several continents.
- 1812 First liberal constitution.
- 1936-1939 Civil War, followed by Franco's dictatorship.
- 1978 New constitution establishes religious freedom.
- Late 20th century Strong turn away from religion in society.
- Today Small but growing evangelical churches, strengthened by immigration.
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Spanish (Castilian)official throughout the country
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Catalanco-official in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands
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Galicianco-official in Galicia
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Basque (Euskera)co-official in the Basque Country
Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain combines a Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, central plateaus (the Meseta), the Pyrenees to the north, and archipelagos such as the Canary and Balearic Islands.
Major cities
- MadridCapital, political center
- BarcelonaCatalonia, tourism and art
- ValenciaMediterranean coast
- SevilleHeart of Andalusia
- BilbaoBasque Country, culture
- MálagaCosta del Sol
Climate and temperature
Paella
Valencian rice with seafood or meats.
Tapas
Small shared portions served in bars.
Tortilla española
Potato omelet, an everyday classic.
Jamón ibérico
Cured ham, a national point of pride.
Gazpacho
Cold tomato soup, typical of summer.
Churros con chocolate
Fried dough dipped in hot chocolate.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Intense social life
Gatherings, long conversations, and lingering meals are central. Life happens in plazas and tapas bars.
Relationships and time
Personal ties matter greatly; the pace is relaxed and schedules are flexible.
Cultural Catholicism
Many call themselves Catholic by tradition but do not practice. Talking about personal faith can feel awkward.
Secularism and skepticism
One of the most secular societies in Europe; there is distrust of institutional religion.
Regional identities
Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Andalusia: strong identities and their own languages.
Family and festivals
Family is the foundation of social life, and traditional festivals mark the calendar.
- Confusing the regional identities Respect Catalans, Basques, and Galicians; not every Spaniard is "from Madrid."
- Forcing religious conversations too soon Build friendship and trust first.
- Bringing up territorial politics lightly Independence and nationalism are sensitive topics.
- Being rushed or rigid about schedules The social pace is slower and more flexible.
- Turning down invitations to eat or socialize The table is the heart of togetherness.
- Expecting an early dinner Meals and nightlife happen late.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Faith is treated as a thing of the past, and many live as if God did not exist.
The greatest obstacle is not opposition but a lack of interest in the things of God.
Religious traditions and festivals remain strong but emptied of personal faith.
The pursuit of well-being and stability occupies the place once given to faith.
Pleasure and leisure become the meaning of life for many.
Unbelief is seen as a sign of maturity and faith as naivety.
The Catholic heritage remains in the culture without producing discipleship.
The trivialization of sexuality moves people away from the biblical vision of covenant and family.
Regional and identity tensions fragment society and wound unity.
Esoteric practices and alternative spiritualities fill the void left by the church.
Scandals and formalism breed distrust of religious institutions.
The small evangelical minority risks turning inward and losing its outreach.
Spain has full religious freedom, and persecution is low. The difficulty for Christians is not open hostility but the strong turn away from religion: faith is seen as something from the past, and expressing it in public can bring indifference or scorn.
For Christian immigrants and new converts, the challenge is to keep their faith alive and find community in a society largely indifferent to the gospel. Pressure, when it exists, is cultural and social, not legal.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Despite the historic weight of Christianity, Spain remains a field little reached by the living gospel. Its peoples include groups still considered unreached, such as Roma communities, Muslim populations of North African origin, and secularized Spaniards themselves in their majority. There are also languages spoken in the country that still lack a complete translation of the Scriptures, a reminder that the need is not only on distant frontiers but also in the heart of Europe.
- 1.2M Unreached 2.6%
- 15K Minimally reached 0%
- 42.9M Superficially reached 89.8%
- 3.2M Partially reached 6.7%
- 387K Significantly reached 0.8%
- 12 Unreached 15.4%
- 3 Minimally reached 3.8%
- 27 Superficially reached 34.6%
- 27 Partially reached 34.6%
- 9 Significantly reached 11.5%
Fonte dos dados de povos: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimativas, podem variar.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
higher in Madrid and Barcelona
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Relationship opens more doors than arguments: invest in friendship before any conversation about faith.
- Learn Spanish and respect the regional languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician).
- Late schedules: lunch around 2pm, dinner after 9pm.
- Cards are widely accepted; cash use is declining.
- Public transport is excellent (metro, trains, buses).
- Life in plazas and cafés is where relationships are built.
- Summers are very hot; plan activities for morning or evening.
- WhatsApp is the main communication channel.
- Respect the secular sensitivity; avoid intense religious language in public.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.