List of agencies in Spain explained

In Spain, the legislative definition of agency is regulated in Law 40/2015, of October 1, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.^[1] Unlike other countries, in Spain only the executive branch has agencies and any need of any of the other branches is covered by the executive.

Types of agencies

There is not a single definition of what is considered an agency in Spain because, on the one hand, there are three types of public agencies (literally, public organisms, OP): Autonomous agencies (OA), public business entities (EPE) and state agencies (AE).^[2] But, in addition, there are also independent agencies (literally, independent administrative authorities, AAI).^[3]

As far as this article is concerned, public business entities (EPE) are going to be ruled out because, despite being considered public agencies according to legislation, their operation is more similar to that of a public company than to that of an agency itself and may be subordinate to an autonomous agency.

Of the other three types of agency, the main difference between them is the law that regulates them. OAs are governed by common administrative law, while AEs and AAIs are governed by their own creation laws. Autonomous agencies and state agencies have their own legal personality, their own treasury and assets, and autonomy in their management, while the AAIs have their own legal personality, their own assets, but they have independence in their management, not autonomy. The AAIs can be compared to the independent agencies of the United States, since they are independent of the executive branch insofar as they are regulated by their own special legislation that includes special mechanisms to ensure their independence, as is the limitation for the executive branch to appoint and dismiss the high officials of it, with greater control of the legislative branch.^[4]

Another important difference is the purpose for which they are created. The autonomous agencies (OA) carry out activities of the Public Administration, both activities of promotion, give benefits, management of public services or production of goods of public interest, as differentiated instrumental organizations and dependent on it. The state agencies (AE) are created to comply with specific policies, with better mechanisms to ensure better management and control of results. Finally, the AAIs are assigned external regulatory or supervisory functions over economic sectors or specific activities that require functional independence or special autonomy from the executive branch.^[5]

There is a fourth and exceptional category of agencies. These are the management entities and common services of the Social Security, regulated in the Social Security Act of 2015.^[6]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

See main article: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spain).

• Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
• Instituto Cervantes

Source:^[7]

Ministry of Justice

See main article: Ministry of Justice (Spain).

• Center for Legal Studies (CEJ)
• General Mutual Benefit Society for Civil Servants of the Administration of Justice (MUGEJU)

Source:

Ministry of Defence

See main article: Ministry of Defence (Spain).

• National Intelligence Centre (CNI)
• Spanish Space Agency (AEE), which also depends on the Ministry of Science.

• National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA)
• Institute for Housing, Infrastructure and Equipment of the Defense (INVIED)

Undersecretariat of Defence

• Social Institute of the Armed Forces (ISFAS)

Source:^[8]

Ministry of Finance and Civil Service

See main article: Ministry of Finance (Spain).

Secretariat of State for Finance

• Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT)
• Institute of Fiscal Studies (IEF)

• General Mutual Benefit Society of State Civil Servants (MUFACE)
• National Institute of Public Administration (INAP)

Undersecretariat of Finance and Civil Service

• Commissioner for the Tobacco Market (CMT)
• Royal Mint of Spain (FNMT-RCM)
• State Vehicle Fleet (PME).

Source:^[9]

Ministry of the Interior

See main article: Ministry of the Interior (Spain).

• State Security Infrastructure and Equipment Office (GIESE)

• National Police Training University Center (CUFPN)

Undersecretariat of the Interior

• Central Traffic Headquarters (JCT)

Source:^[10]

Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda

See main article: Ministry of Development (Spain).

Secretariat of State for Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda

• Centre for Public Works Studies and Experimentation (CEDEX)

General Secretariat for Infraestructure

• Railway Safety Agency (AESF)

General Secretariat for Transport and Mobility

• Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA)

Undersecretariat of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda

• National Geographic Information Centre (CNIG)

Source:^[11]

Ministry of Education and Vocational Training

See main article: Ministry of Education (Spain). This Department has no agencies attached.

Ministry of Labour and Social Economy

See main article: Ministry of Labour (Spain).

Secretariat of State for Labour and Social Economy

• Labour and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS)
• Public State Service for Employment (SEPE)
• Salary Guarantee Fund (FOGASA)
• National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST)

Source:^[12]

Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism

See main article: Ministry of Industry (Spain).

Secretariat of State for Tourism

• Tourism Institute of Spain (TURESPAÑA)

General Secretariat for Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises

• Spanish Metrology Centre (CEM)

Undersecretariat of Industry, Trade and Tourism

• Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM)

Source:^[13]

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

See main article: Ministry of Agriculture (Spain).

General Secretariat for Agriculture and Food

• Spanish Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEGA)
• Food Information and Control Agency (AICA)

Undersecretariat of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

• National Agency for Agricultural Insurance (ENESA)

Source:^[14]

Ministry of the Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Democratic Memory

See main article: Ministry of the Presidency.

• Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies (CEPC)
• Centre for Sociological Research (CIS)
• Patrimonio Nacional

• Official State Gazette (BOE)

Source:^[15]

Ministry of Territorial Policy

See main article: Ministry of Territorial Policy. This Department has no agencies attached.

Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge

See main article: Ministry of Environment (Spain).

• Institute for Just Transition (ITJ)

Secretariat of State for Environment

• State Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
• National Parks Autonomous Agency (OAPN)

Directorate-General for Water

• Commonwealth of the Taibilla Channels (MCT)
• Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation
• Duero Hydrographic Confederation
• Ebro Hydrographic Confederation
• Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation
• Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation
• Júcar Hydrographic Confederation
• Miño-Sil Hydrographic Confederation
• Segura Hydrographic Confederation
• Tajo Hydrographic Confederation

Source:^[16]

Ministry of Culture and Sport

See main article: Ministry of Culture (Spain).

• National Sports Council (CSD)
  • Spanish Anti-Doping Agency (CELAD)
• Museo Nacional del Prado
• Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
• Biblioteca Nacional de España (BNE)

General Secretariat for Culture and Sport

• National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM)
• Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA)
• Culture Infrastructure and Equipment Office (GIEC)

Source:^[17]

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation

See main article: Ministry of Economy (Spain).

Secretariat of State for Economy and Business Support

• National Statistics Institute (INE)
• Institute for Accounting and Accounts Audit (ICAC)
• Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA)

Source:^[18]

Ministry of Health

See main article: Ministry of Health (Spain).

Secretariat of State for Health

• Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)
• National Institute of Health Management (INGESA)
• National Transplant Organization (ONT)

Source:^[19]

Ministry of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda

See main article: Ministry of Social Affairs (Spain).

• Royal Board on Disability (RPD)

Secretariat of State for Social Rights

• Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO)
• Institute of Youth (INJUVE)

Source:^[20]

Ministry of Science and Innovation

See main article: Ministry of Science (Spain).

• Spanish Space Agency (AEE), which also depends on the Ministry of Defence.

General Secretariat for Research

• State Research Agency (AEI)
• Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
• Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)
• Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT)

Source:^[21]

Ministry of Equality

See main article: Ministry of Equality (Spain).

• Institute of Women

Source:^[22]

Ministry of Consumer Affairs

See main article: Ministry of Consumer Affairs (Spain).

General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs and Gambling

• Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN)

Source:^[23]

Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration

See main article: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

Secretariat of State for Social Security and Pensions

• National Institute for Social Security
• Social Institute for Sea Workers
• Social Security General Treasury
• Social Security IT Department
• Legal Service of the Social Security Administration

Source:^[24]

Ministry of Universities

See main article: Ministry of Universities.

General Secretariat for Universities

• Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP)
• National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA)
• Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE)

Source:

Independent agencies

The independent agencies or independent administrative authorities (AAI) are independent from the executive branch but relate to different government departments for budget allocation purposes.

Ministry of Finance and Civil Service

• Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility (AIReF)
• Transparency and Good Governance Council (CTBG)

Ministry of Justice

• Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD)

Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge

• Nuclear Safety Council (CSN)

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation

• National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC)
• National Securities Market Commission (CNMV)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ley 40/2015, de 1 de octubre, de Régimen Jurídico del Sector Público.. 2022-01-18. www.boe.es.
2. Web site: Ley 40/2015, de 1 de octubre, de Régimen Jurídico del Sector Público.. 2022-01-18. www.boe.es.
3. Web site: Ley 40/2015, de 1 de octubre, de Régimen Jurídico del Sector Público.. 2022-01-18. www.boe.es.
4. Web site: Ley 40/2015, de 1 de octubre, de Régimen Jurídico del Sector Público.. 2022-01-18. www.boe.es.
5. Web site: Ley 40/2015, de 1 de octubre, de Régimen Jurídico del Sector Público.. 2022-01-18. www.boe.es.
6. Web site: Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2015, de 30 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley General de la Seguridad Social.. 2022-01-18. www.boe.es.
7. Web site: Real Decreto 644/2020, de 7 de julio, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación, y se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
8. Web site: Real Decreto 372/2020, de 18 de febrero, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Defensa.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
9. Web site: Real Decreto 682/2021, de 3 de agosto, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Hacienda y Función Pública y se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
10. Web site: Real Decreto 734/2020, de 4 de agosto, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio del Interior.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
11. Web site: Real Decreto 645/2020, de 7 de julio, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
12. Web site: Real Decreto 499/2020, de 28 de abril, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social, y se modifica el Real Decreto 1052/2015, de 20 de noviembre, por el que se establece la estructura de las Consejerías de Empleo y Seguridad Social en el exterior y se regula su organización, funciones y provisión de puestos de trabajo.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
13. Web site: Real Decreto 998/2018, de 3 de agosto, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
14. Web site: Real Decreto 430/2020, de 3 de marzo, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, y por el que se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
15. Web site: Real Decreto 373/2020, de 18 de febrero, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
16. Web site: Real Decreto 500/2020, de 28 de abril, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, y se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
17. Web site: Real Decreto 509/2020, de 5 de mayo, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
18. Web site: Real Decreto 403/2020, de 25 de febrero, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
19. Web site: Real Decreto 735/2020, de 4 de agosto, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Sanidad, y se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
20. Web site: Real Decreto 452/2020, de 10 de marzo, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Derechos Sociales y Agenda 2030, y se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
21. Web site: Real Decreto 404/2020, de 25 de febrero, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
22. Web site: Real Decreto 455/2020, de 10 de marzo, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Igualdad.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
23. Web site: Real Decreto 495/2020, de 28 de abril, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Consumo y se modifica el Real Decreto 139/2020, de 28 de enero, por el que se establece la estructura orgánica básica de los departamentos ministeriales.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.
24. Web site: Real Decreto 497/2020, de 28 de abril, por el que se desarrolla la estructura orgánica básica del Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones.. 2022-01-18. boe.es.