Complete Guide: When Does the Spanish Stock Exchange Operate and What You Need to Know About the Madrid Market?

If you are a trader or investor, understanding the schedule of the Spanish stock exchange is crucial to execute your trades smoothly. The Madrid Stock Exchange functions as the epicenter of the Spanish markets, hosting the country’s leading companies and serving as the base for the iconic IBEX 35 index.

The system that coordinates everything: SIBE

Although “Madrid Stock Exchange” is commonly mentioned, the correct term is the SIBE (Spanish Interconnection System), which supervises four markets simultaneously: Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, and Bilbao. This integrated system since 1995 allows for smooth operations across all Spanish trading venues.

What time does trading occur on the Madrid Stock Exchange?

Regular session:

• Opening: 9:00 am (local time CEST)
• Closing: 5:30 pm (local time CEST)
• Trading days: Monday to Friday

Additional hours:

• Opening auction (pre-market): 8:30 am to 9:00 am
• Closing auction (after-market): 5:30 pm to 5:35 pm

The Spanish stock exchange remains closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Schedule table according to your time zone

If you are in Latin America, here are the trading hours in your local time:

Origin and importance of the Madrid Stock Exchange

Founded on September 10, 1831, under the Creation Law drafted by Pedro Sainz de Andino, the Spanish stock exchange began operations on October 20 of the same year with banks, steel companies, and railroads as the first traded securities. Other markets followed later: Bilbao in 1890, Barcelona in 1915, and Valencia in 1980. Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME) has managed the system since 2001.

The IBEX 35, launched on January 14, 1992, groups the 35 companies with the highest market capitalization.

What you will find trading on the Spanish stock exchange

The Madrid market concentrates Spanish corporate giants with international reach. Top-tier banking entities like BBVA and Banco Santander are listed here, along with globally significant construction companies such as ACS, Ferrovial, and Acciona, as well as the region’s largest retailer: Inditex. These companies have strong growth prospects, especially in Latin American economies.

Opening and closing auctions: what are they?

The opening auction (8:30 am to 9:00 am) gathers pending orders from the previous session plus new orders during the auction period. The crossing of all these orders determines the initial price of the trading day.

The closing auction (5:30 pm to 5:35 pm) sets an equilibrium price, allowing orders that did not find a match during the regular session to be executed.

Holidays and reduced sessions in 2025

The Spanish stock exchange trading calendar marks these closures for 2025:

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

Occasionally, half-day sessions with reduced hours are held.

Summary: everything you need to know about the Spanish stock exchange schedule

To operate without restrictions on Spain’s most relevant securities and the IBEX 35, remember that the Spanish stock exchange opens at 9:00 am and closes at 5:30 pm (local time CEST) from Monday to Friday. Pre-market and post-market auctions offer additional opportunities. Check the official BME calendar to confirm holiday dates and adjust your time zone according to your geographic location.