Brussels/Barcelona, 19 November 2025 – EFPA Europe joins EFPA Spain in celebrating its 25th anniversary, marked by a major institutional event held at the historic Drassanes Reials in Barcelona, the city where the association was founded and continues to be headquartered. The celebration brought together more than 600 participants, including leading figures from the financial sector, economic and political leaders, and distinguished international personalities such as economist Tim Harford, who reflected on the milestones that have shaped the evolution of financial advice over the past quarter century.
EFPA Spain reaffirmed its role in promoting and consolidating the profession of financial advisor, a key figure in safeguarding citizens’ financial health. The association stressed the need to transform household savings in Spain and across Europe towards more productive and higher‑yielding investments, in line with the European Commission’s strategy to improve access to capital markets and facilitate business financing. Against this backdrop, qualified financial advice must play an increasingly central role.
The event was closed by Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, who highlighted EFPA’s efforts and the financial sector’s commitment to self‑regulation, underlining the importance of strong advisory professions for advanced societies.
EFPA Spain’s leadership – Santiago Satrústegui (President), Carlos Tusquets (Honorary President), and Josep Soler (Executive Director) – emphasized the profession’s commitment to education and financial culture, as well as the need to continue strengthening recognition of advisors in society. They noted that while household savings remain healthy in Spain and across Europe, returns are still below their potential, and professional advice is essential to bridge this gap.
Josep Soler further stressed the importance of alternative financing channels for SMEs, which dominate the European economy, and reiterated EFPA’s mission to help citizens complement their public pensions and improve the performance of their savings. EFPA Spain today counts 36,000 members, reflecting the strength of the profession.
A highlight of the anniversary was a dialogue between Miguel Ángel Fernández Ordóñez, former Governor of the Bank of Spain, and Sebastián Albella, former President of the CNMV, moderated by Rafael Rubio, Director of EFPA’s Asesores Financieros magazine. They reflected on the transformation of Spain’s financial system in recent decades and the regulatory, technological, and trust challenges ahead.
Tim Harford, renowned economist and Financial Times columnist, contributed his perspective on behavioral aspects of economics and finance, and the critical role of advisors in guiding investment decision‑making.
The event also paid tribute to EFPA Spain’s first corporate partners and professionals with more than 20 years of certification, presented by Vice President José Miguel Maté. In addition, communicator More offered an inspiring session on integrating human talent with artificial intelligence.
Closing the celebration, EFPA Spain President Santiago Satrústegui stated: “This 25th anniversary has demonstrated the strength of a professional community that believes in continuous training, ethics, and the value of high‑quality financial advice. EFPA was created to promote the role of the advisor and to distinguish between trainers, professionals, and certifiers, overcoming conflicts of interest. We look to the next 25 years with the same commitment: to support professionals and contribute to a stronger, more transparent sector, prepared for the challenges ahead.”
About EFPA Spain EFPA Spain is the Spanish Association of Financial Advisors and Planners, with more than 35,000 members. Established in 2000, its creation in Spain was directly linked to the founding of the European Financial Planning Association (EFPA).
EFPA Spain operates as an independent professional certification platform and as an association bringing together duly certified professionals dedicated to financial advice and planning in Spain. It is the only European association in the country that represents and defends the interests of personal financial advisors and planners.
EFPA Spain also maintains a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001 standards, certified by AENOR.