Spain rejects NATO's 5% defence spending target, warns of impact on welfare and development

Spain has refused to endorse a proposed NATO target requiring member states to spend 5% of their GDP on defense, risking friction ahead of next week’s alliance summit in The Hague.

In a letter sent Thursday to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Sánchez said Spain “cannot commit to a specific spending target in terms of GDP,” proposing instead a more flexible or optional approach. The move could potentially derail the upcoming NATO summit, which will be attended by US President Donald Trump and other key allies.

Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year, the lowest in the trans-Atlantic alliance. Although Sánchez pledged in April to raise defense spending by €10.5 billion in 2025 to meet NATO’s existing 2% target, he argued that jumping to 5% would divert critical resources from public services and Spain’s green transition efforts.

“For Spain, committing to a 5% target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive,” Sánchez wrote, adding that such a policy “would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its own security and defense ecosystem.”

While most NATO allies appear ready to back the new US-led initiative—designed to counter Russia’s growing threat—Spain has pushed for consensus-based decision-making and advocated for more sustainable, tailored approaches to national defense.

The proposed 5% spending framework includes 3.5% for core military needs such as tanks, fighter jets, and missile systems, and 1.5% for logistical and civilian infrastructure improvements to support rapid military deployment and societal readiness.

Sánchez's stance comes amid rising domestic pressure due to ongoing corruption scandals involving his inner circle and family. Increased defense spending has also sparked criticism from members of his governing coalition, particularly those on the left.

The NATO summit is scheduled to begin next week in The Hague.

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