This chapter provides an overview of youth work in Spain, focusing on its current status, legislation, and the role of youth workers. It covers the professional recognition of youth work, skills and competencies, and relevant policies impacting the sector. The chapter aims to offer up-to-date information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the youth work landscape in Spain.

As defined by the Council of Europe, youth work is “a broad term covering a wide variety of activities of a social, cultural, educational, environmental and/or political nature by, with and for young people, in groups or individually. Youth work is delivered by paid and volunteer youth workers and is based on non-formal and informal learning processes focused on young people and on voluntary participation. Youth work is quintessentially a social practice, working with young people and the societies in which they live, facilitating young people’s active participation and inclusion in their communities and in decision-making.”