Spain has announced a comprehensive set of reforms in the aviation and ground-transport sectors, aimed at streamlining licensing processes and enhancing regional mobility. The new Royal Decree, adopted during the Cabinet meeting on March 10, 2026, modernizes regulations related to ultralight aircraft and inter-city bus services, impacting a wide range of operators and pilots.
Significantly, the reforms bring Spain’s ultralight pilot licensing and aircraft regulations into closer alignment with EU standards, allowing holders of European licenses such as LAPL, PPL, CPL, or ATPL to operate ultralights registered in Spain without needing additional national licenses. This recognition simplifies cross-border operations and enhances the capacity of Spain’s adventure-flight sector, notably in Andalusia and Catalonia.
In addition, the decree modifies the rules for public-service bus tenders, enabling consortium bidding to meet solvency requirements more effectively. This change is expected to increase international participation and competition in the €3 billion market, thereby improving service quality and affordability. The reform also facilitates easier ferrying of small business teams within Europe to Spanish remote sites lacking regular commercial air links.
The Ministry of Transport plans to publish further guidance within 60 days, including standards for avionics in controlled airspace and model tender documents. The reforms will come into force 20 days after publication, prompting operators in both sectors to review and adapt their compliance and training procedures.
