In line with Article 48 of the 1978 Spanish Constitution, Youth Policy aims to foster the conditions for youth people to freely and effectively participate in political, social, economic and cultural life.

This principle is reflected in several youth policies, including the Youth Strategy 2030 (Estrategia Juventud 2030), which aligns national and regional efforts to address youth unemployment, education, and social inclusion.

While employment policies are the exclusive competence of the State, the Autonomous Regions (Comunidades Autónomas) have the power to enforce national regulations and tailor policies to local needs.

These regions may also design and implement employment programmes that align with national guidelines. This is particularly relevant in areas such as youth employment, where regional governments coordinate the implementation of youth employment policies and initiatives under the Youth Guarantee.

As part of the ongoing efforts to improve youth employment, Spain is implementing the Youth Guarantee Plus 2021-2027 programme, focusing on improving youth employability through personalized career guidance, training opportunities, and entrepreneurship support. This initiative, backed by the European Union, supports young people with low qualifications, targeting those under 30.

As part of Spain’s comprehensive approach to youth employment, the Youth Promotion and Services Programme (Programa Promoción y Servicios a la Juventud) supports a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in the labour market. This programme provides services focused on youth employment, entrepreneurship, and career guidance, helping young people access training and job opportunities.

Main actors

The Ministry of Labour and Social Economy (Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social) is the principal authority responsible for the coordination of youth employment policies in Spain.  It oversees the Youth Guarantee system (Sistema de Garantía Juvenil) and leads efforts to increase youth employment through various national programs, including subsidies for youth recruitment and training initiatives.

Other ministries contribute to youth employment and entrepreneurship, particularly:

• Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports (Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes), which plays a critical role in integrating vocational education with youth employment programmes.
• Ministry of Finance Ministerio de Hacienda), which also plays an important role in the funding and financial management of youth employment initiatives

Within the General Government Administration, the National Coordinator for Youth Guarantee and the Directorate-General of Self-employment, Social Economy and Social Responsibility of companies, are in charge of the implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and responsible for the administration of the European Social Fund in Spain, which are also relevant. 

The Vocational Guidance Units (Unidades de Orientación Profesional,  UOPs), established as part of Spain’s Recovery Plan, provide personalized guidance to young people, helping them access vocational training and adapt their skills to the labour market. These units are particularly focused on digital skills and green technologies, ensuring young people are prepared for the future job market.

At the regional level, Autonomous Communities are responsible for administering youth employment programmes tailored to local conditions, with the collaboration of their ministries of employment, education, and youth.

General distribution of responsibilities

The Autonomous Communities play a fundamental role in the implementation of youth employment policies, including the Youth Guarantee, ensuring that national programmes meet the specific needs of local populations. 

These regions are responsible for creating employment incentives for youth, including training programs, apprenticeships, and subsidies for youth entrepreneurship. 

The Regional Employment Services, in collaboration with the State Public Employment Service (SEPE), play a key role in channelling EU funding for youth initiatives, as well as coordinating efforts to address regional youth unemployment.