Key data
| Regulation | Headquarters Agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, made «ad referendum» in Barcelona on 28 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | 19 June 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the published text |
| Replaces | 2010 Headquarters Agreement |
| Secretariat headquarters | Royal Palace of Pedralbes, Barcelona |
| Direct stakeholders | Secretary General, officials, experts, interns of the UPM and their dependent families; related Spanish authorities |
| Category | European Regulation / International Law |
| Year | 2026 |
The Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat has operated in Barcelona since 2010 with a special status negotiated with Spain. After more than fifteen years, that framework has become outdated: the new agreement, signed «ad referendum» on 28 November 2025 and published in the BOE on 19 June 2026, replaces it entirely and updates the conditions under which the organisation—and those who work in it—operate on Spanish territory.
For supplier companies, professionals aspiring to work at the UPM or advisers managing relationships with the organisation, understanding this new framework is essential to avoid errors in invoicing, hiring or tax compliance.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement regulates five major areas:
| Area | Main content |
|---|---|
| Legal personality of the UPM | Spain formally recognises the international legal personality of the Secretariat, allowing it to sign contracts, acquire assets and act before courts in its own name. |
| Immunity from jurisdiction | The UPM enjoys immunity from Spanish courts. Its premises at the Royal Palace of Pedralbes are inviolable. |
| Tax and customs exemptions | The organisation is exempt from taxes and customs duties under the conditions established in the agreement. |
| Personnel status | A distinction is made between: (a) Secretary General, officials and experts—with privileges and immunities extending to their dependent families—and (b) locally hired staff, subject to Spanish labour legislation. |
| Dispute resolution and amendment | The agreement establishes specific mechanisms for resolving disputes between Spain and the UPM, and defines the conditions for amending or terminating it. |
The distinction between international staff and locally hired staff is the point of greatest practical impact: the former enjoy a privileged status (immunities, personal tax exemptions, protection for their families), while the latter—usually Spanish citizens or residents hired directly in Barcelona—pay taxes and contribute under ordinary Spanish rules.
Economic and operational impact
The agreement does not generate direct costs for private companies, but it does have relevant operational consequences in three areas:
- Invoicing to the organisation: By enjoying tax and customs exemptions, the UPM can claim non-application of certain taxes in the invoices it receives. Suppliers must understand this status to issue invoices correctly and avoid tax contingencies.
- Personnel hiring: Selection companies or professionals aspiring to work at the UPM must distinguish whether the position is an "international official" (privileged status, outside the scope of Spanish labour law) or a "locally hired" employee (Workers' Statute, Spanish Social Security). This distinction directly affects salary negotiation and contribution obligations.
- Commercial and legal relationships: The UPM's immunity from jurisdiction means that, in the event of a contractual dispute, ordinary Spanish courts are not competent. Any contract with the organisation must provide for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Who does it affect?
- International officials of the UPM and their dependent families: enjoy privileges and immunities recognised by Spain.
- Experts and interns linked to the Secretariat: also included in the special status.
- Locally hired staff: subject to Spanish labour legislation; no special privileges.
- Supplier companies of goods and services to the UPM in Barcelona: must adapt their invoicing to the organisation's tax status.
- Law firms and tax advisers advising UPM workers or companies contracting with it.
- Selection companies and headhunters managing hiring processes for the Secretariat.
- Spanish authorities (State Administration, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona City Council) with competence over the Royal Palace of Pedralbes or the organisation's staff.
Practical example
A Barcelona-based consultancy wins a contract to provide communication services to the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat. When issuing the invoice, its manager automatically applies VAT. However, given the special tax status of the UPM recognised in this agreement, the organisation can invoke its exemption and reject payment of the tax. If the consultancy was unaware of this framework, it will have issued an incorrect invoice and will have to correct it, with the administrative cost and tax risk that entails.
In parallel, if that same consultancy helps the UPM hire a communication technician resident in Barcelona, it must know that this position—being locally hired—will be subject to the Workers' Statute and Spanish Social Security, just like any other employee. The immunities reserved for international officials do not apply.
What should businesses do now?
- Review existing contracts with the UPM: Check whether they include appropriate dispute resolution clauses, given that immunity from jurisdiction prevents recourse to ordinary Spanish courts.
- Update invoicing procedures: If you invoice the Secretariat, verify with your tax adviser whether you should apply VAT and other taxes, in light of the exemptions recognised in the agreement.
- Distinguish personnel category in selection processes: If you manage hiring for the UPM, correctly classify each position (international official vs. locally hired) before designing the remuneration package and contribution obligations.
- Inform candidates about the applicable status: Professionals aspiring to work at the Secretariat should know whether their contract will be under Spanish law or under the organisation's privileged status, as this affects their personal taxation and labour rights.
- Consult a specialist in public international law if your company has or plans a significant contractual relationship with the UPM, especially regarding immunities and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a UPM official and a locally hired employee?
The agreement establishes a clear distinction: international officials of the Secretariat (including the Secretary General and experts) enjoy privileges and immunities recognised by Spain, extending to their dependent families. Locally hired staff—usually Spanish citizens or residents in Barcelona—remain subject to ordinary Spanish labour legislation, without special privileges.
Do I have to apply VAT in my invoices to the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat?
The agreement recognises tax and customs exemptions for the UPM. This may mean that the organisation is exempt from bearing VAT in certain transactions. Before issuing any invoice, consult with your tax adviser to determine the correct treatment according to the type of transaction, as an incorrect invoice may generate tax contingencies for your company.
Can I sue the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat before a Spanish court if it breaches a contract?
Not directly. The agreement recognises immunity from jurisdiction for the UPM against Spanish courts. In the event of a contractual dispute, you must resort to the dispute resolution mechanisms provided for in the agreement itself or negotiate specific arbitration clauses in your contracts with the organisation.
Where is the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat headquartered?
The Secretariat is headquartered at the Royal Palace of Pedralbes, in Barcelona. The agreement guarantees the inviolability of these premises, meaning that Spanish authorities cannot access them without authorisation from the organisation.
Does this agreement replace the previous one? What changes from 2010?
Yes, the agreement published on 19 June 2026 entirely replaces the 2010 headquarters agreement. The new text updates the complete legal framework: legal personality, immunities, tax exemptions, personnel status and dispute resolution mechanisms. The 2010 agreement is repealed.
Official source
Consult full regulation at official source (BOE-A-2026-13293)
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-13293