Some gaps in SPA and SCI designation should be covered taking into account the recently reviewed IBA directory.

Only 49% of IBAs currently overlap with SPAs. However, the government is satisfied with its SPA network and declared that not many more SPAs would be designated.

Comparing with other Member State, Spain should do an effort to complete its SPA network.

There are very few approved management plans, despite a legal obligation to do so. Besides, most of these approved plans do not consider conservation objectives.

Increasingly, management plans are being developed in order to finalise SAC designation.

The most used approach to finance the Natura 2000 sites in Spain is via agri-environmental schemes. Other sources include LIFE projects. There is not much progress on Prioritised Action Frameworks so far.

This situation confirms that more funds are needed to finance properly the Natura 2000 sites but management plans also need to be approved to know exactly the costs of the Spanish Natura 2000 network.