SENNA

Spanish Private Equity Assets Hit €50 Billion
By Senna Matthews

MADRID - Spain's private equity industry has reached new heights, with assets under management surpassing €50 billion, according to the country's securities regulator.

The explosive growth in the sector underscores Spain's increasing appeal for global alternative asset managers seeking opportunities in the recovering economy. Over the past decade, private equity assets in the country have quadrupled, now accounting for around 4% of GDP.

"During 2025, the growth of private equity funds in Spain has continued, with them growing in the double digits for the past five to ten years," said Carlos San Basilio, the chairman of Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), at a recent industry event.

The CNMV's disclosure provides the first official tally of the scale of Spain's private equity industry, which has historically operated with limited transparency. San Basilio noted that Spanish investors still only account for around 10% of the capital invested in these domestic funds, suggesting significant room for growth in local participation.

The surge in private equity activity mirrors a broader trend across Europe, as low interest rates and abundant dry powder drive firms to seek returns beyond traditional public markets. In Spain, the inflows have supported a wave of buyouts and growth investments, spanning sectors from tech to real estate.

Industry executives say the country's economic recovery, coupled with a more favorable regulatory environment, have been key factors behind the private equity boom. However, San Basilio warned that the CNMV would be stepping up oversight of fund managers to ensure proper risk management and investor protection.

"The CNMV will increase control over private equity managers," he said, noting that funds would need to offload around 18,000 companies over the next two years to comply with new rules.

The regulatory scrutiny underscores the growing influence of Spain's private equity landscape, which is now home to both global titans and nimble domestic players. As the sector matures, investors will be watching closely to see if fund managers can sustain their impressive performance in an increasingly competitive market.