Spain
Europe
Age Verification Compliance Overview
This page provides comprehensive age verification and compliance information for Spain. Our research team continuously monitors regulatory changes, enforcement actions, and legal developments to ensure businesses have access to up-to-date compliance intelligence.
Spain maintains a "Heavily Regulated" approach to age-restricted content. This classification indicates strict compliance requirements including mandatory age verification, specific technical implementations, regular audits, and substantial penalties for non-compliance. Businesses operating in this jurisdiction must implement comprehensive age assurance systems and maintain detailed compliance records. Legal consultation is strongly recommended before entering this market.
The information below includes regulatory status, legal requirements, enforcement mechanisms, penalties for non-compliance, acceptable verification methods, and relevant regulatory authorities. This data is essential for platforms, content providers, and businesses that need to implement age-appropriate access controls or verify user ages.
Minimum Age
18+ years
Required age for platform access
Age Gate Required
Yes
Age verification is mandatory
Last Verified
10/14/2025
Most recent data update
Regulatory Timeline
Historical changes and upcoming regulatory events
- Heavily Regulated
Proposed 'digital card' / 'digital wallet' app for online porn access: Spanish government announces plans to introduce a digital card/app with facial recognition and session limits for accessing online porn, aimed at protecting minors. This is a proposal/plan, not yet enacted law.
- Heavily Regulated
Real Decreto 444/2024, de 30 de abril: Regulation defining requirements for 'usuarios de especial relevancia' (influencers), making LGCA Art. 94 effective.
- Heavily Regulated
Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act - DSA): Most provisions of the DSA become applicable, reinforcing minor protection obligations for online platforms.
- Heavily Regulated
Real Decreto 1138/2023, de 19 de diciembre: Regulation for the state registry of audiovisual service providers and the prior communication procedure, making LGCA Art. 39 effective.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley 13/2022, de 7 de julio, General de Comunicación Audiovisual (LGCA) - Chapter II of Title VI and Article 140: Provisions related to accessibility and signal integrity become effective (one year after general entry into force).
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Modification of CP Art. 132, 178, 179, 180, 181, 189 bis by Ley Orgánica 4/2023, de 27 de abril, with effects from 2023-04-29.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Modification of CP Art. 332, 334, 335, 336, 337, 337 bis, and addition of Title XVI bis (animal protection) by Ley Orgánica 3/2023, de 28 de marzo, with effects from 2023-04-18.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Modification of CP Art. 145 bis, 172 ter.1 and 5 by Ley Orgánica 1/2023, de 28 de febrero, with effects from 2023-03-02.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Modification of CP Art. 248, 249, 252, 253, 285, 288 bis, 311, 386, 399 bis, 399 ter, 400, 432, 432 bis, 433, 433 ter, 434, 438 bis, 557, 557 bis, 557 ter, 559 by Ley Orgánica 14/2022, de 22 de diciembre, with effects from 2023-01-12.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley 13/2022, de 7 de julio, General de Comunicación Audiovisual (LGCA) - Section 3.ª of Chapter III of Title VI and Disposición final cuarta: Provisions related to financing of European audiovisual work and RTVE become effective for the 2023 fiscal year.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Modification of CP Art. 177 bis.4.c) by Ley Orgánica 13/2022, de 20 de diciembre de 2022, with effects from 2022-12-22.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Modification of CP Art. 172 ter.1 and 5, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 183 bis, 184, 190, 191, 192, 194, 194 bis, 197.7, 443.2 by Ley Orgánica 10/2022, de 6 de septiembre, with effects from 2022-10-07.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley 13/2022, de 7 de julio, General de Comunicación Audiovisual (LGCA) - Articles 88 to 91: Specific articles of the LGCA related to obligations for video-sharing platforms and minor protection become effective (3 months after general entry into force).
- Heavily Regulated
Ley 13/2022, de 7 de julio, General de Comunicación Audiovisual (LGCA): Enactment of the General Audiovisual Communication Law, transposing EU Directive 2018/1808 and establishing a new regulatory framework for audiovisual services and video-sharing platforms, with a strong focus on minor protection.
- Heavily Regulated
Directive (EU) 2018/1808 (Audiovisual Media Services Directive amendment): Adoption of the EU Directive that the Ley 13/2022 transposes, introducing updated rules for audiovisual media services, including stronger protections for minors.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, de 23 de noviembre, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): The Spanish Criminal Code becomes effective.
- Heavily Regulated
Ley Orgánica 10/1995, de 23 de noviembre, del Código Penal (Spanish Criminal Code): Enactment of the Spanish Criminal Code, which includes provisions against child pornography and other crimes against minors.
Data Sources
Legal documents and references supporting this data
Showing 5 of 11 sources
boe.estxt.php
boe.esact.php
lamoncloa.gob.es160124-proteccion-menores-internet.aspx
boe.estxt.php
iapp.orgaepd-proposes-age-verification-system-to-shield-minors-from-adult-content
All sources are evaluated for credibility and relevance. Primary sources indicate official legal documents and government publications. Credibility scores reflect source reliability based on jurisdiction, publication authority, and verification status.
Related Countries
Countries with similar regulatory frameworks
Regulatory Authorities
Regulator contacts will appear here as they become available.