At the end of November 2025, Spain will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a state visit. This event will be significant not only for the diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also for historical memory: for the first time, the head of Germany will travel to Gernika to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic bombing during the Civil War.
The visit will last three days, from November 26 to 28. The agenda includes high-level meetings: Steinmeier will meet with King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. A key moment of the trip will be his visit to Gernika—a city that was almost entirely destroyed in 1937 by air raids from the German Condor Legion and Italian aviation, who supported Franco’s troops. For Germany, this gesture marks an important step towards acknowledging historical responsibility and strengthening trust between the countries.
In addition to memorial events, the German president will take part in the XI Spanish-German Economic Forum. The agenda includes discussions on new areas of cooperation within the European Union and NATO, as well as the development of bilateral projects in the fields of economy and innovation. Steinmeier will also visit Bilbao, where meetings with representatives of the Basque Country government are scheduled.
The visit comes amid growing ties between Madrid and Berlin: just two months ago, the German Chancellor visited Spain. Officials from both countries emphasize that the current meeting is not only a symbolic gesture but also a reaffirmation of strong allied relations. Attention to historical events, such as the tragedy of Guernica, has become part of contemporary European policy regarding memory and dialogue.
