Fact Check: Spain secures NATO exemption from 5% GDP defense spending target.

Fact Check: Spain Secures NATO Exemption from 5% GDP Defense Spending Target

What We Know

On June 22, 2025, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain had reached an agreement with NATO to be exempted from the military alliance's target of spending 5% of its GDP on defense. In a televised address, Sánchez stated, “Spain will, therefore, not spend 5% of its GDP on defense, but its participation, weight and legitimacy in NATO remain intact” (AP News). The agreement allows Spain to maintain its defense spending at approximately 2.1% of GDP, which is significantly lower than the proposed target (Reuters).

This decision came after intense negotiations, with Sánchez indicating that committing to the 5% target was "incompatible with our worldview" (AP News). The exemption was formalized in letters exchanged between NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Sánchez, clarifying that the language around the 5% target would no longer apply to "all allies" (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Spain has secured an exemption from NATO's 5% defense spending target is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg all reported on the agreement, confirming that Spain will not be required to meet the 5% target and will instead continue with its current defense spending level (AP News, Reuters, Bloomberg).

The reliability of these sources is high; they are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The information provided is consistent across these reports, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim. Furthermore, the context of the negotiations, including previous comments from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Spain's defense spending, adds depth to the story, illustrating the political dynamics at play (AP News, Bloomberg).

However, some sources, such as Al Jazeera, reported on Spain's initial resistance to the 5% target, framing it as a contentious issue that could disrupt NATO's consensus (Al Jazeera). This highlights the complexities of international negotiations and the varying perspectives on defense spending within NATO.

Conclusion

The claim that Spain has secured an exemption from NATO's 5% GDP defense spending target is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that Spain will not be required to meet this target, allowing the country to maintain a lower defense spending level while still participating in NATO effectively. The agreement reflects Spain's diplomatic negotiations and its stance on defense spending, which has been a topic of significant discussion within NATO.