Home About Us IPDS Team Advisory Board Partners Partnerships in Practice Partnership Case Studies Programs Research Fellowship — Apply International Young Diplomats School Emerging Young Women Leaders Congress International Certification Programs Islamabad Diplomacy Forum Research Live Trackers Expert Commentary Policy Analysis & Briefs Research Essays Journal of Peace and Diplomacy Books News & Updates Centres of Study Central Asia & Eurasia Women, Peace & Leadership Leadership Center SCO Studies BRI & China Studies European Studies American Studies Africa Studies ASEAN Studies Gulf & Middle Eastern Studies Join the Scholars Network Events Register for an Event Career Support Engage with Us Commissioned Research Geopolitical Risk Analysis Media & Public Diplomacy Track II Dialogues Training & Executive Education Global Consultants Network Contact Us
Home/Research & Publications/Pakistan's Bilateral Relations/Pakistan–Spain

Pakistan–Spain Relations

Spain is Pakistan's second-largest trading partner in the EU, with about US$1.6 billion in trade and a Pakistani community of around 108,000; 2026 brought new agriculture, heritage and connectivity talks. Compiled by the IPDS Centre for European Studies from official sources. Last revised 5 November 2026.

$1.6bn
Bilateral trade
2nd
Pakistan's trading partner rank in the EU
108,000
Pakistani community in Spain (2022)
1968
Lahore and Córdoba twinned
Latest development →ChronologyAll countries A–Z
Latest development

Where Pakistan–Spain Relations Stand Now

2 Nov 2026

Spain's Ambassador Carlos Aragón said direct flights between the two countries would give a major boost to bilateral trade. (The Nation, citing APP)

Pakistan and Spain share positions on several international issues, including membership of the Uniting for Consensus group on Security Council reform. Spain is Pakistan's second-largest trading partner within the European Union, with bilateral trade of about US$1.6 billion and a large surplus in Pakistan's favour. Around 108,000 people of Pakistani origin live in Spain, and Lahore and Córdoba have been sister cities since 1968.

Overview

The Relationship by Theme

Diplomatic Engagement

6 Feb 2023: The fifth round of Pakistan-Spain Annual Bilateral Consultations was held in Madrid. (MOFA Pakistan)

Trade & Agriculture

Current: Bilateral trade is about US$1.6 billion; Pakistan's exports stand at about US$1.5 billion and imports at US$214 million. Pakistan aims to diversify from textiles into agro-food products, minerals and IT services. (Embassy of Pakistan, Madrid)

Jul 2026: Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain proposed a Pakistan-Spain Joint Working Group on Agriculture and offered higher exports of rice, ethanol, potatoes and maize. (The Nation)

3 Aug 2026: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal invited Spanish collaboration in olive cultivation, agribusiness and agricultural technology, as well as higher education and sports. (Radio Pakistan)

2 Nov 2026: The Spanish ambassador called direct flights essential to expanding trade. (The Nation, citing APP)

Culture & People-to-People

Since 1968: Lahore and Córdoba are sister cities; Córdoba has a street named after Allama Iqbal and a roundabout named after Lahore. (Embassy of Pakistan, Madrid)

2022: An estimated 108,000 people of Pakistani origin live in Spain, mainly in Barcelona, Valencia and Logroño. (Embassy of Pakistan, Madrid)

Institutional framework

Dialogue Mechanisms

MechanismStatus
Annual Bilateral ConsultationsFifth round held in Madrid on 6 February 2023; the inaugural Bilateral Political Consultations were held in Madrid in March 2014. (MOFA Pakistan, MOFA Pakistan)
Timeline

Chronology

1968 to 2022 · Foundations

Cultural ties predate the modern institutional framework.

1968

Lahore and Córdoba became sister cities. (Embassy of Pakistan, Madrid)

Mar 2014

Inaugural round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Madrid. (MOFA Pakistan)

2023 to present · Trade and new sectors

Consultations continued and new sectors opened up.

6 Feb 2023

Fifth Annual Bilateral Consultations in Madrid. (MOFA Pakistan)

Jul to Aug 2026

Agriculture and planning ministers proposed new cooperation with Spain. (The Nation, Radio Pakistan)

2 Nov 2026

Direct flights raised as a priority for trade. (The Nation, citing APP)

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is Pakistan-Spain trade?

About US$1.6 billion, with Pakistan's exports around US$1.5 billion, according to Pakistan's Embassy in Madrid. Spain is Pakistan's second-largest trading partner in the EU.

How many Pakistanis live in Spain?

An estimated 108,000 people of Pakistani origin (2022), mainly in Barcelona, Valencia and Logroño.

Are Lahore and Cordoba twin cities?

Yes. Lahore and Córdoba have been sister cities since 1968.

Sources & method

Sources & Methodology

Official records come first: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy pages, the partner government's own publications, and state news services. News reporting is cited only where no official text is published. Every entry links to its source. No Wikipedia.

How to cite: IPDS Centre for European Studies, “Pakistan–Spain Relations,” Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, last revised 5 November 2026, https://ipd.org.pk/research-publications/pakistan-spain-relations-tracker/

Spot an error or a development we have missed? Suggest a correction.

More from the Centre for European Studies: Pakistan–United Kingdom · Pakistan–Germany · Pakistan–France · Pakistan–Netherlands · Pakistan–Belgium · Pakistan–Italy · Pakistan–Poland
All countries: Pakistan's Bilateral Relations, A–Z →

Pakistan–Spain relations at IPDS

This page is maintained by the IPDS Centre for European Studies and revised as new visits, agreements and data are published.

Visit the Centre →All countries, A–Z →
The IPDS Newsletter

Research, dialogues and opportunities from IPDS

Our latest analysis, upcoming events and calls for researchers, in your inbox twice a month.

We will email you to confirm. One click unsubscribes you at any time, and we never share your address. How we use your details.