Complete Guide: Operating Hours of the Spanish Market and the Opening of the Spanish Stock Exchange

The Spanish stock market opening marks the starting point for thousands of investors seeking to operate in the Iberian market. Knowing precisely when the trading session begins and ends is essential to execute your strategies smoothly. In this analysis, we will cover everything you need to know about the operating hours of Spain’s main stock exchange.

What should you know about the Spanish market structure?

Although commonly referred to as “the Stock Exchange” as a single entity, the reality is more complex. In Spain, four exchanges operate under the SIBE (Sistema de Interconexión Bursátil Español): Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Bilbao. This system, coordinated since 1995, ensures that all stock market activity is channeled in an orderly manner. Since 2001, Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME) manages the operation of these platforms, with the Madrid Stock Exchange being the epicenter where the 35 largest capitalizations in the country are traded through the IBEX 35 index.

Operating hours: what you should remember

The regular session of the Spanish stock market begins at 9:00 am (CEST) and extends until 5:30 pm. This schedule remains consistent from Monday to Friday, providing participants with a broad and predictable trading window.

There are no operations on weekends and public holidays, with a specific calendar published each year.

Trading phases: before and after standard hours

Before the main session begins, there is an opening auction period from 8:30 am to 9:00 am. During this phase, pending orders from previous sessions and new buy-sell instructions are processed, determining the opening price of the day.

Similarly, after the regular session closes at 5:30 pm, a closing auction is executed, extending until 5:35 pm. This phase allows for executing orders that did not find a counterparty during the regular trading hours, establishing a final equilibrium price.

Historical context and market relevance

The Madrid Stock Exchange was founded on September 10, 1831, becoming the hub of Spanish business activity. The first traded securities were banks, steel companies, and railroads. Subsequent exchanges in Bilbao (1890), Barcelona (1915), and Valencia (1980) completed the national stock market infrastructure.

The IBEX 35, launched on January 14, 1992, groups the 35 companies with the highest market capitalization. Renowned global institutions like BBVA and Banco Santander are listed here in the financial sector, along with internationally significant construction companies such as ACS, Ferrovial, and Acciona, as well as Inditex, the largest retailer in Spain.

2025 activity suspension calendar

The market remains closed on the following dates:

• January 1 (Wednesday)
• April 18 (Friday)
• April 21 (Monday)
• May 1 (Thursday)
• December 25 (Thursday)
• December 26 (Friday)

Occasionally, sessions with reduced hours are recorded. All these variations are detailed in the official Trading Calendar.

Corresponding hours in Latin American cities

Since many Spanish companies have significant activity in Latin America, it is useful to know the time equivalence:

This information is essential for operators seeking to maximize their opportunities in the Spanish market from different time zones in the Western Hemisphere.