Overview
The Policía Nacional recruits through open competition (oposición libre) for two entry scales: the Escala Básica (category Policía) and the Escala Ejecutiva (category Inspector). Both calls were published in the BOE on 10 July 2026 by the Dirección General de la Policía. Applications are made through the Portal del Aspirante on the Policía Nacional website.
Levels or stages
Escala Básica, categoría de Policía
The 2026 call offers 2,704 places for police trainees at the Escuela Nacional de Policía: 2,163 by open competition and 541 reserved for professional military troop and seamen personnel. The process has three phases: the opposition, a training course, and a practical module in a workplace.
Requirements:
Spanish nationality, at least 18 years old and not above the Policía Nacional's maximum retirement age.
Bachiller or equivalent.
Class B driving licence without restrictions.
At least level A2 in English or French, proven before the last day of the application period; without it you are excluded.
No conviction for a serious or less serious intentional crime, no dismissal from public service and no disqualification from public functions.
None of the exclusion causes in the medical table (Royal Decree 326/2021), no use of drugs, and a declaration committing to carry and, if needed, use weapons.
Opposition tests (all eliminatory):
| Test | Content |
|---|---|
| 1. Knowledge | 100 questions with three options, answered in 50 minutes, on the syllabus in Annex I |
| 2. Physical aptitude | Three exercises in Annex II: an agility circuit, a strength test (pull-ups for men, bar hang for women) and a 1,000 m run |
| 3. Third test | Three eliminatory parts: medical examination, a professional and personal interview, and psychotechnical tests of up to 60 minutes |
Marking:
The knowledge test uses the formula (hits minus errors divided by options minus 1) times 10 over the number of questions, scored 0 to 10. You need at least 3 points and a ranking within 1.75 candidates for each of the 2,163 open places.
Each physical exercise scores 0 to 10, a zero eliminates, and the average must be at least 5. The agility circuit scores 0 at 11.7 seconds or more for men and 12.8 seconds or more for women.
Medical and interview results are apto or no apto.
Language certificates above A2 add up to 2 points to the final opposition mark (B1 0.5, B2 1, C1 1.5, C2 2).
The training course at the Escuela Nacional de Policía follows.
Escala Ejecutiva, categoría de Inspector
A separate call (BOE-A-2026-15054) offers 150 places for the Inspector category. It requires an official university Grado (or having completed all its credits), a class B licence, and at least level B1 in English or French, proven before the last day of the application period. Its tests are all eliminatory: first a physical aptitude test, then a knowledge test (a 100-question, 50-minute questionnaire with three options, followed by written practical cases of up to 90 minutes that you read aloud to the board), then a third test with a medical examination, interview and psychotechnical tests. After the opposition comes a two-year training course at the Escuela Nacional de Policía. The exam fee is 31.10 euros. See the BOE text for the full scheme.
Important dates
Both calls were published in the BOE on 10 July 2026, and applications ran for 15 working days from the next day. The Portal del Aspirante announces test dates and venues; on 1 October 2026 it posted physical-test venues and dates for Inspector candidates (from 26 to 30 October 2026, depending on the venue).
Fees
For the Escala Básica, the exam fee is 15.57 euros, paid through the Agencia Tributaria payment gateway. The Escala Ejecutiva fee is 31.10 euros.
How to apply
Apply online at policia.es through the Portal del Aspirante, selecting the Escala Básica y Escala Ejecutiva process. The fee must be paid, with electronic signature, within the application period.
After the exam
Those who pass the opposition enter the Escuela Nacional de Policía as police trainees. The course is selective: every subject is marked 0 to 10 and needs at least 5 points, and failing the course after the ordinary exams and one extraordinary sitting ends your place in the process. After the course comes a practical module and appointment as a career official.
Preparation tips
Prove your language level (A2 for Policía, B1 for Inspector) before the application deadline.
Train for the agility circuit, the strength test and the 1,000 m run against the Annex II scales.
Practise 100-question tests under time pressure, with the penalty for wrong answers.
What qualification does the Escala Básica need?
Bachiller or an equivalent, plus a class B licence and at least level A2 in English or French. The Inspector scale needs a university Grado and level B1.