Spain has for the first time more than 6,000 high-level athletes

• The Higher Sports Council (CSD) has updated the list of athletes with the high level qualification. It reaches a record figure of 6,268 athletes -58% men and 42% women-, after the increase in almost 400 new DAN since the previous update, last December.

• For the president of the CSD, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, “this positive evolution in the number of high-level athletes represents much more than a figure: it is the consolidation of a model that bets on talent, equal opportunities and excellence from the base to the elite”.

Madrid, April 30, 2025.- The Official State Gazette has published the resolution of the Higher Sports Council (CSD) which updates the relationship of high-level qualified athletes (DAN) in Spain, a badge that accredits those who are among the elite of international sport for their results and competitive merits.

According to the new list, Spain reaches for the first time in its history the figure of 6,268 DAN athletes, of which 3,647 are men (58%) and 2,621 women (42%). This fact marks an unprecedented milestone, since the barrier of 6,000 athletes recognized with this condition has been overcome.

The new resolution of the CSD reflects an increase of 396 athletes compared to the previous list, published last December. In comparative terms, growth has been even more significant since 2018, with a cumulative increase of more than 2,000 new high-level athletes in just six years.

For the president of the CSD, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, “this positive evolution in the number of high-level athletes represents much more than a figure: it is the consolidation of a model that bets on talent, equal opportunities and excellence from the base to the elite”.

“Each new high-level athlete is a pillar on which the future of Spanish sport is built. Therefore, to bet on them today is to secure tomorrow’s successes, projecting Spain as a sports power that can face the main international challenges with guarantees”, said Rodríguez Uribes.

The Spanish Government’s commitment to sport is tangible and is reflected in historical budgets, a firm commitment to sports federations, the creation of the CSD Team Spain preparation program and the implementation of an ambitious plan to modernize infrastructures and equipment throughout the territory thanks to NextGenerationEU funds.

In this same line, the CSD is already working on the updating of Royal Decree 971/2007, which regulates the condition of high-level and high-performance athletes. The objective is to adapt this regulation to the current challenges of the sports ecosystem, improve the recognition and protection of athletes and strengthen the itineraries of detection, development and consolidation of talent.

What does it mean to be a high-level athlete?

The status of DAN is regulated by Royal Decree 971/2007 and is granted by resolution of the Superior Sports Council, on the proposal of the Spanish sports federations, based on objective criteria linked to sports performance in official competitions of the highest level.

Once accredited, the athlete can apply directly to the CSD for an official certificate of this condition, which entails important benefits in the academic, professional and fiscal spheres. Among them, the following stand out:

• Reserved access quota in the university and in professional training.
• Measures for the conciliation of the academic and sports career.
• Possibility to contribute to Social Security through the Special Regime for DAN.
• Tax bonuses and exemptions.
• Ease of access to public employment.

All this is complemented by the High Level Athlete Care Program (PROAD), an initiative of the CSD that offers comprehensive and personalized guidance and advice to the entire DAN collective to facilitate the development of a quality dual career, and help in the transition of athletes to a professional career beyond the high level.

Full list of high level athletes: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2025-8562