E-commerce grows in the first quarter pushed by travel platforms

BarcelonaE-commerce turnover in Spain rose by 15.1% in the first quarter of 2026 to reach 29.643 billion euros, according to the latest e-commerce data available on the data platform of the Spanish competition regulator, CNMCData. Specifically, the sectors of activity that recorded the main revenues were travel agencies and tour operators, with 8.7% of total turnover, and air transport, with 6.4%.

Regarding the number of transactions, more than 549 million transactions were recorded in the first quarter of the year, which represents a 16% increase. Thus, gambling and betting led the ranking by sales (9.9%).

As for geographical segmentation, 44% of the revenues in the first quarter were destined for Spain, while the remaining 56% corresponded to purchases originating in Spain made abroad. In this way, the net external balance generated a deficit of 12.771 billion euros. Thus, by number of transactions, 34.7% of sales were destined for Spain and 65.3% abroad.

Growth of trade with abroad

The business volume of transactions originating in Spain and directed abroad reached 16,604 million euros, 14% more than in the first quarter of the previous year. 94.1% of purchases from Spain to the exterior were made in shops located in the European Union. The report reveals that the branches of activity with the highest business volume from Spain to the exterior were auxiliary services to financial intermediation (9.8%) and clothing (8.6%).

For its part, sales and purchases from abroad with Spain reached a turnover of 3.833 billion euros, 15.3% more than in the first quarter of the previous year. 64.8% of purchases from abroad came from the European Union. Likewise, the areas of activity related to the tourism sector (which groups together travel agencies, air transport, land transport, car rental, and hotels) accounted for 61.6% of purchases from abroad with Spain.

The report shows that e-commerce revenue within Spain grew by 17% year-on-year to 9.207 billion euros. Public administration, taxes, and social security led the turnover within Spain (8.5%).