Madrid is set to become the location of OpenAI's first office in Spain. The technology company, renowned for developing ChatGPT, has announced its expansion into the Spanish capital during the latter half of this year. This decision is driven by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country and a significant rise in its user base.
According to a company statement, Spain now ranks among the top five European markets for weekly active ChatGPT users, having experienced year-on-year growth exceeding 40 percent.
With this new office, OpenAI aims to provide enhanced support to its community of users, businesses, developers, academic institutions, and public sector partners. The firm also plans to hire local professionals for roles in customer support, technical functions, and public policy.
Emmanuel Marill, General Manager for OpenAI in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), highlighted the potential of the Spanish market, stating that the country "is consolidating itself as one of the most dynamic markets in Europe." Marill attributed this growth to a combination of strong demand from users and businesses, an expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem, and institutional backing for AI development.
OpenAI's decision has been positively received by the Spanish government. Carlos Cuerpo, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Enterprise, described the company's arrival as a "clear demonstration" of the Spanish economy's attractiveness. Factors favoring such investments, according to the minister, include sustained economic growth, competitive energy costs, and the availability of a highly skilled workforce.
Meanwhile, Óscar López, Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, noted that OpenAI's decision shows that adequate AI regulation strengthens competitiveness rather than hindering investment. He affirmed that Madrid is poised to become a leading European capital for trustworthy artificial intelligence.
OpenAI's expansion in Spain comes as major organizations are already integrating its tools. BBVA is extending access to ChatGPT Enterprise to its over 120,000 employees across 25 countries, following successful pilot results where over 80% of participants used the platform. Concurrently, Banco Santander is rolling out the same solution to more than 30,000 users.
Antonio Bravo, Head of AI Transformation at BBVA, emphasized that OpenAI's arrival will boost technological talent and accelerate business transformation processes. He explained that collaboration with the company is already simplifying complex tasks and placing AI at the core of corporate strategy. Educational institutions like IE University and IESE Business School are adopting ChatGPT Edu, while tech firm Factorial is exploring Codex to streamline software development.
Carlos Garriga, Director of Information Systems at IE University, stated that OpenAI is a key element in transforming the educational experience. He believes tools like ChatGPT Edu and Codex better prepare students for future challenges and facilitate teaching innovation. OpenAI also highlighted the rapid expansion of Codex, its AI-assisted programming tool, with weekly active users in Spain multiplying over elevenfold since early 2026.
OpenAI has indicated that more details regarding the exact location of its new Madrid headquarters and recruitment processes will be provided in the coming months.
