The Government has given the green light to a broad Public job offer to reinforce the National Police and Civil GuardThis opens up thousands of opportunities for those preparing for competitive examinations for the State Security Forces. It is a particularly significant recruitment drive, both because of the number of positions available and the impact it will have on staffing levels in the coming years.
In total, the Ministry of the Interior has authorized 6.094 new places by 2026, distributed between 2.854 positions in the National Police y 3.240 in the Civil Guard, to which are added 81 officer positions integrated into the Armed Forces' public employment offer. With this measure, the Executive maintains the approach of recent years, in which it has opted for a sustained increase in the number of personnel.
The biggest offer in 15 years for the Security Forces
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the new call for applications entails “the largest public job offer in the last fifteen years” within the scope of the State Security Forces and Corps. For this purpose, a 125% restocking rateThis allows not only covering retirements and absences, but also a net increase in the number of active agents.
Interior Ministry recalls that since Since 2018, replacement rates have been exceeding 100%., with the express intention of to recover the personnel lost between 2011 and 2017This period was marked by strict restrictions on hiring new staff. This strategy has resulted in a continued strengthening of existing workforces across the country.
Since that year, the department he heads Fernando Grande-Marlaska has brought out the opposition 46.706 places between both bodies: 24.314 allocated to the National Police y 22.392 to the Civil GuardWith this steady trickle of new recruits, the Security Forces have seen their numbers grow by around 20% averageuntil it reached around the 183.150 agents.
The 2026 call for proposals maintains this line of expansion, with a total financial allocation of 273 millones de eurosThis budget will be divided between new direct hires and the internal promotion processes necessary to strengthen the different levels of management.
Details of the offer for the National Police
With regard to the National PoliceThe public employment offer for 2026 totals 2.854 places. Of them, 150 correspond to the Executive Scale y 2.704 belong to the Basic Scalewhich remains the main route of entry into the force for most applicants.
Within the Basic ScaleA significant portion of the vacancies is reserved for the military: 541 places are allocated to professional soldiers and sailors that prove a minimum of five years of service, as provided for in Law 8/2006 of Troops and Seamen. Any reserved places that remain unfilled will automatically be incorporated into the open competition.thus increasing the chances for the rest of the candidates.
Along with the direct entry positions, the call also reinforces the Internal promotion within the Executive ScaleSpecifically, the following have been approved 225 additional places which only National Police sub-inspectors through the internal promotion system. This route allows for professional advancement for those already within the force and, at the same time, strengthens the leadership ranks.
The budgetary effort in the police sector is significant. The Ministry of the Interior estimates an investment of around 130 millones de euros for this part of the offer. Of that amount, Approximately 119 million are allocated to the 2.704 positions in the Basic ScaleNear 9,5 million are reserved for the 150 places in the Executive Scale for direct entry y 1,5 million covers the cost of the 225 internal promotion positions.
With this distribution, the Government seeks simultaneously strengthen access for new agents and internal career development.ensuring a balanced generational transition between basic and middle management levels.
Job openings and promotion opportunities in the Civil Guard
La Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) This is the other major pillar of this public employment offer. Authorizations have been granted for 2026. 3.240 direct entry positions in the Corporal and Guard Scale, the largest group within the armed institute and the usual entry point for most applicants.
As with the National Police, a significant portion of these vacancies are reserved for military personnel. Specifically, 1.296 places are aimed at professional soldiers and sailorsWhile 240 are assigned to students of the Young Guards College. Any places not filled through these means will be added to the open access quota., expanding the number of opportunities for civilian opponents.
These figures are in addition to 81 places for the Officers' Scale of the Civil Guard, which are part of the Armed Forces' recently approved public employment offer. These officer positions are processed through a separate application process. because the training process is developed jointly with the Armed Forces, although in practice they also increase the operational capacity of the corps.
La Internal promotion in the Civil Guard It also features prominently in the planning for 2026. The call authorizes a total of 522 professional development positions: 122 for the Officers' Scale —divided among 96 through internal promotion y 26 due to change of scale- Y 400 for the Non-Commissioned Officer ScaleThe aim is to strengthen the command structure and facilitate career progression for those already within the force.
In economic terms, the offer from the Civil Guard represents an investment of approximately 143 millones de eurosOf this amount, 138 million are allocated to the 3.240 direct entry places in the Rank of Corporals and Guards, while Around 5 million are distributed among the positions of non-commissioned officers and officers through internal promotion., with specific allocations of 2,5 million for each of these scales.
Context, access requirements and attractiveness of the call
The new offer consolidates a trend that began several years ago: Competitive examinations for the National Police and Civil Guard have become one of the main routes to public employment in Spain.Each call for applications brings together thousands of applicants, who prepare for months—and even years—for the physical, theoretical, and psychometric tests necessary to pass the selection process.
In general, those wishing to apply for these positions must meet a series of requirements common basic requirements: to count on Spanish nationality, to have at least 18 years old, have no criminal record and not having been dismissed from any Public Administration through disciplinary proceedings nor being disqualified from holding public office. It is also required adequate physical and psychological fitness, express commitment to carrying and using weapons in professional practice and be in possession of driving license type BFurthermore, it is useful to know How to register for public employment pools that can complement the calls for proposals.
In the academic section, the requirements vary depending on the branch and rank. For access to the Basic Scale of the National Police requires a high school diploma or equivalent, while to enter the The rank of Corporal and Guard in the Civil Guard requires only Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO). or a higher level. Furthermore, in the Civil Guard it is common to establish a maximum age limit of around 40 years at the time of the call.
The selection process usually includes physical tests, theoretical exam, psychometric tests, personal interview and medical examinationThose who pass all phases move on to a training period in official centers —such as the National Police School in Ávila or the Civil Guard academies in Baeza and Valdemoro— and, subsequently, they carry out a internship period in police stations or barracks before becoming full-fledged civil servants.
The appeal of these job openings lies not only in job security, but also in the remuneration conditionsA newly recruited National Police officer typically perceives around 1.800-2.000 euros per monthWhile a newly recruited Civil Guard officer earns similar figures, with approximate salaries of 1.700-2.000 euros per monthAs seniority, promotions, and specific assignments increase, these amounts can easily exceed the 2.200 or 2.500 euros, in addition to extra payments, seniority bonuses and other supplements.
Overall, the approval of 6.094 positions for National Police and Civil Guard in 2026 reinforces a staff expansion policy that comes from years ago and that combines Direct entry, internal promotion, and reserves for military personnelFor the opposition, this represents one of the best windows of opportunity in the last decade; for the State Security Forces, it means taking another step towards the goal of having more effective and better distributed throughout the territory, with a level of investment that confirms the commitment to maintain this growth rate.
