United Kingdom vs Spain — Country Comparison
United Kingdom
SpainUnited Kingdom and Spain side by side: Spain is the larger country (505,992 km² vs 244,376 km², roughly 2.1× the size), while United Kingdom has the bigger population (69.3 million vs 49.3 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
| Fact | United Kingdom | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | London | Madrid |
| Population | 69,281,437 | 49,315,949 |
| Area | 244,376 km² | 505,992 km² |
| Currency | British pound | Euro |
| Languages | English | Spanish, Basque, Catalan, Galician |
| Dialling code | +44 | +34 |
| Main timezone | UTC | UTC+01:00 |
| Drives on the | Left | Right |
| Region | Northern Europe | Southern Europe |
| Emergency number | 999 (or 112) | 112 |
Key differences: United Kingdom vs Spain
- United Kingdom has a slightly larger population than Spain.
- Spain is about 2.1 times larger by area.
- United Kingdom is the more densely populated of the two.
- They use different currencies: GBP and EUR.
- They do not share an official language.
- They do not share a land border.
- Their geographic centres are about 1,560 km apart.
- Spain is 1 hour ahead of United Kingdom (UTC vs UTC+01:00), not accounting for daylight saving changes.
Want the full picture for each country? See United Kingdom and Spain, or compare their population pages: United Kingdom · Spain.
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United Kingdom vs Spain — FAQ
Which is bigger, United Kingdom or Spain?
Spain is bigger by area: 505,992 km² vs 244,376 km², roughly 2.1× the size of United Kingdom.
Is United Kingdom bigger than Spain?
No — Spain is larger at 505,992 km² vs 244,376 km² for United Kingdom.
Which has more people, United Kingdom or Spain?
United Kingdom has the larger population: 69,281,437 (69.3 million) vs 49,315,949 (49.3 million).
How does the size of United Kingdom compare to Spain?
Spain (505,992 km²) is about 2.1× larger than United Kingdom (244,376 km²).
Do United Kingdom and Spain use the same currency?
No — United Kingdom uses the British pound and Spain uses the Euro.
Are United Kingdom and Spain on the same continent?
Yes — both are in Europe.
What is the time difference between United Kingdom and Spain?
Spain is 1 hour ahead of United Kingdom (UTC vs UTC+01:00), not accounting for daylight saving changes.
Do United Kingdom and Spain share an official language?
No — United Kingdom and Spain do not share an official language.
Do United Kingdom and Spain share a border?
No — United Kingdom and Spain do not share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, United Kingdom or Spain?
United Kingdom is more densely populated at roughly 284 people per km², compared to 97 for Spain.
How far is United Kingdom from Spain?
The distance between the geographic centres of United Kingdom and Spain is roughly 1,560 km (970 miles) in a straight line. Actual travel distances between cities will differ.
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