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List of research institutes in Spain

Tamtam tracks 183 research institutes headquartered in Spain. This list ranks the 50 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universitat de Barcelona. Their median headcount is 3,643. Half of them were founded in 1968 or later. The most common headquarters are Barcelona (7), Madrid (6) and Córdoba (2).

🇪🇸 Spain50 companiesUpdated Nov 12, 2026

This selection of research institutes in Spain mainly comprises large public universities, many of which were founded in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. These institutions engage in extensive research, often with international collaborations and a focus on generating and disseminating knowledge across various fields. Examples include Universidad Complutense de Madrid, a public university offering high-quality education and research, and Universitat de Barcelona, which has extensive research departments and projects.

Beyond higher education, the list also includes institutions like CSIC, a government agency focused on basic and applied scientific research across 126 centers, and Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, a public university hospital providing healthcare, research, and training. A notable pattern is the concentration of these large research institutions in major Spanish cities, particularly Madrid and Barcelona, which serve as central hubs for academic and scientific activity.

#CompanyIndustryHeadquarters EmployeesFounded
1
Universidad Complutense de Madriducm.es

A public university in Madrid offering high-quality education, research opportunities, international collaborations, extensive library resources, diverse cultural activities, and sports facilities

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Madrid 14,024 1499
2
Universidad Autónoma de Madriduam.es

Institution recognized for high-quality research, entrepreneurial capacity, teaching excellence, and social commitment. Actively promotes international exchange and training programs.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Madrid 14,000 1968
3
Universitat de Barcelonaweb.ub.edu

Leading Spanish university with extensive research departments, numerous projects, and collaborations with national and European institutions and businesses.

Research Services 🇪🇸 Barcelona 10,368 1450
4
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelonauab.cat

The organization is a pioneering, research-focused university in Barcelona, known for its diversity, sustainability, and campus culture, offering unique experiences

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès) 8,649 1968
5
Universidad de Sevillaus.es

Provides higher education through study, teaching, research. Generates, develops, disseminates knowledge for society and citizens. Public institution, social service.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Seville 7,699 1505
6
Universidad de Granadaugr.es

The company is a university known for high-quality research, with 346 research groups, 165 projects, and partnerships with businesses and international organizations

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Granada 7,376 1531
7
Universitat Oberta de Catalunyauoc.edu

Internationally recognized online university providing lifelong learning opportunities to over 60,000 students, aiming to meet individual needs and offer full access to knowledge

E-Learning Providers 🇪🇸 Barcelona 6,651 1994
8
University of Valenciauv.es

A leading global university in Valencia, offering a wide range of studies, extensive international programs, and a commitment to solar energy

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Valencia 6,490 1499
9
Universidad Politécnica de Madridupm.es

Educates students in architecture, engineering, sport, and fashion design, conducts research, and secures significant R&D funding from European and national programs.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Madrid 6,447 1971
10
Hospital Clínic de Barcelonaclinicbarcelona.org

A leading public university hospital in Spain, offering quality healthcare, cutting-edge research, and professional training with a focus on humanized medicine

Hospitals and Health Care 🇪🇸 Barcelona 6,159 1906
11
CSICcsic.es

A government agency in Spain focused on basic and applied scientific research, with 126 centers across various fields promoting scientific and technological progress

Research Services 🇪🇸 Madrid 5,797 1939
12
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunyaupc.edu

Public institution specializing in engineering, architecture, science, technology education and research, promoting innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Barcelona 5,306 1971
13
Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)upv.es

A dynamic and innovative public university dedicated to research and teaching, with strong ties to its community and a strong international presence

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Valencia 5,277 n/a
14
Universidad de Zaragozaunizar.es

A prestigious center of technological innovation in the Ebro Valley with strong relationships with Spanish and European universities, tracing its origins back to Ecclesiastical Schools

Education Administration Programs 🇪🇸 Zaragoza 5,038 1474
15
Universidad Rey Juan Carlosurjc.es

Public university offering diverse degree programs, including English and blended learning, promoting cooperation with institutions for academic excellence.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Móstoles 4,984 1996
16
Universidad de Málagauma.es

Public university in Southern Europe offering diverse degree programs, strong research groups, and cultural opportunities for over forty thousand students.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Málaga 4,982 1972
17
EHUehu.eus

A public research university rooted in Basque society, open to the world, with intellectual leadership and ethical and social commitment

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Leioa 4,520 1980
18
Universidad de Salamancausal.es

A prestigious university founded in 1218, offering a wide range of undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and continuing education programs to over 30,000 students

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Salamanca 4,385 1218
19
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebronvallhebron.com

A leading hospital complex in Catalonia with four large centers offering a wide range of medical and surgical specialties

Hospitals and Health Care 🇪🇸 Barcelona 4,361 1955
20
Universidad de Castilla-La Manchauclm.es

Educational institution established in 1985 in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, building on historical foundations dating back to the Convent University

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Ciudad Real 4,235 1985
21
Universidad de Murciaum.es

A modern and dynamic university committed to academic excellence, research, innovation, social responsibility, and international outreach, applying advanced management methods

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Murcia 4,218 1915
22
Universidade do Minhouminho.pt

Higher education institution in Portugal focusing on quality education, cutting-edge research, sustainability, and international recognition in a dynamic environment.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Braga 3,939 1973
23
Universitat d'Alacantua.es

This university, established in 1979, offers a variety of degrees and research opportunities across multiple departments and research institutes

Higher Education 🇪🇸 San Vicente del Raspeig 3,937 1979
24
Universidad de Santiago de Compostelausc.gal

Public university in Galicia, Spain, offering diverse academic programs across two campuses with numerous departments and degree options.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Santiago de Compostela 3,872 1495
25
University of Navarraunav.edu

Private research university with global campuses, focusing on academic and personal growth, offering diverse programs, and contributing to medical research and cultural enrichment.

Education Administration Programs 🇪🇸 Pamplona 3,643 1952

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26
Universidad de Oviedouniovi.es

Public higher education institution, offers diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including bilingual and Erasmus Mundus degrees, and conducts 80% of regional R&D.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Oviedo 3,498 1608
27
ESCP Business Schoolescp.eu

A leading European business school offering a wide range of general and specialized business programs with a focus on responsible leadership and multiculturalism

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Berlin 3,458 1819
28
Universidad de Valladoliduva.es

Law school offering high-quality education and training in legal studies to students at the University of Valladolid

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Valladolid 3,433 n/a
29
Universidad de Córdobauco.es

The University of Cordoba focuses on agricultural, health sciences, humanities, and legal and social sciences education, leading the ceiA3 International Excellence Campus

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Córdoba 3,304 1972
30
Hospital Universitario La Pazcomunidad.madrid

A public hospital in Madrid that offers specialized healthcare services to patients from Spain and other countries, with a strong reputation in the healthcare industry

Hospitals and Health Care 🇪🇸 Madrid 3,225 1964
31
Universidad de Alcaláuah.es

A prestigious university in Alcalá de Henares, offering a wide range of educational programs and renowned for its rich cultural heritage

Education Administration Programs 🇪🇸 Alcalá de Henares 3,191 1499
32
Universitat Rovira i Virgiliurv.cat

A university established in 1991, focused on providing knowledge to society, offering European harmonized education, and excelling in teaching and research

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Tarragona 3,015 1991
33
Universidad CEU San Pablouspceu.com

We believe in your talent Transform your vocation into a profession at CEU San Pablo University Work towards your future with us

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Madrid 2,861 n/a
34
Universidad de La Lagunaull.es

A university located in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, offering education to over 23,000 students with a faculty of 1,794 professors

Higher Education 🇪🇸 La Laguna 2,850 1701
35
Universidad de Extremaduraunex.es

A Spanish public university located in Extremadura, offering educational programs and research opportunities in various fields since its founding in 1973

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Badajoz 2,595 1973
36
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canariaulpgc.es

An educational institution founded in 1989 offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and research programs in diverse fields

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2,469 1989
37
Universidade da Coruñaudc.es

Public institution focused on research, teaching, and cultural development, serving society through scientific, technological, and professional knowledge dissemination.

Higher Education 🇪🇸 A Coruña 2,395 1989
38
Clínica Universidad de Navarracun.es

A highly specialized medical center affiliated with the University of Navarra, known for innovative technology, team-based approach, research, teaching, and personalized patient care

Health and Human Services 🇪🇸 Pamplona 2,347 1962
39
Universitat de Gironaudg.edu

A public institution in Catalonia focused on teaching, research, and societal development through knowledge creation and dissemination in various fields

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Girona 2,304 1991
40
Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elcheumh.es

A public university committed to providing high-quality teaching and research, focusing on educating students with a pluralistic and tolerant mindset

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Elche 2,257 n/a
41
IESE Business Schooliese.edu

Providing management programs for career growth, focusing on developing leaders to make a positive impact with integrity, excellence, and service mindset

Education Administration Programs 🇪🇸 Barcelona 2,222 1958
42
University of Deustodeusto.es

A renowned university offering competency-based education, values-driven teaching, specialized research, and an international perspective for over 125 years

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Bilbao 2,169 1886
43
UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murciaucam.edu

A private university established in 1996, dedicated to educating students, advancing research, and contributing to society and cultural development

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Guadalupe 2,116 1996
44
Universitat Internacional de Catalunyauic.es

A place for personal and academic development, fostering growth through rigorous academics, university experiences, and enriching life opportunities since 1997

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Barcelona 2,094 1997
45
Universidad Pablo de Olavideupo.es

A higher education institution in Andalucía, focusing on teaching, research, and social transformation to prepare future leaders and drive economic and cultural progress

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Seville 1,947 1997
46
Universidad Católica de Córdobaucc.edu.ar

A prestigious educational institution in Argentina, managed by the Jesuits, offering a variety of academic programs to over 8,000 students

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Córdoba 1,898 1956
47
Universitat de les Illes Balearsuib.cat

A multidisciplinary research group studying neuroscience, human evolution, psychology, language, and more to understand human cognition at University of Balearic Islands

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Palma 1,882 1978
48
INIAinia.es

National research center coordinating agricultural and forestry R&D projects in collaboration with socio-economic sectors on a state level

Research Services 🇪🇸 Madrid 1,855 1971
49
Universidad de Almeríaual.es

A university committed to quality education, excellence in research, and innovation to meet societal needs and prepare students to be professionals and good citizens

Higher Education 🇪🇸 Almería 1,806 1993
50
Parc Taulí Hospital Universitaritauli.cat

This institutional public entity provides healthcare services, education, research, and social activities for citizens, in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona

Hospitals and Health Care 🇪🇸 Sabadell 1,786 1986

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How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

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