Government bonds are among the safest investments available: the issuer is a sovereign state, and the risk of default has historically been very low in eurozone countries. In 2026, with interest rates high, yields on European bonds are particularly attractive.
What is government debt?
Government debt consists of securities issued by governments to finance themselves. In Spain, these are the main instruments:
- Treasury Bills: 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month maturities
- Government bonds: 2- and 5-year maturities
- Government bonds: 10- and 30-year maturities
In other European countries, the equivalent instruments are German Bunds, French OATs, and Italian BTPs.
Current yields on European government debt
Here are the current benchmark yields, according to APYData:
- Spanish Treasury (Spain) — 30-year government bonds: 3.6% (benchmark)
- Agence France Trésor (France) — 10-year OAT: 3.53% (benchmark)
- Ministry of Economy (Italy) — 10-year BTP: 3.49% (benchmark)
- Spanish Treasury — 10-year Government Bonds: 3.27% (benchmark)
- IGCP — Treasury Management Agency (Portugal) — 10-year OT: 3.19% (benchmark)
- Ministry of Economy (Italy) — 5-year BTP: 3% (benchmark)
Note: These are benchmark yields from the secondary market. The exact yield when purchasing at auction may vary.
How to buy Spanish government debt?
Residents in Spain can purchase Treasury Bills and Bonds directly through:
- Tesoro Directo (tesoro.es): no fees, directly with the Public Treasury
- Broker or bank: more convenient but with possible fees
To buy through Tesoro Directo, you need a digital certificate or an electronic ID.
Risk and guarantees
Public debt is not protected by the FGD, but it is backed by the issuing government. For countries like Spain, Germany, or France, the risk of default is extremely low.
However, if you sell before maturity, the price may be lower than the purchase price (market risk). If you hold until maturity, you receive exactly the principal plus the agreed-upon interest.
Public debt vs. bank deposit?
The choice depends on your profile:
- Bank deposit: potential liquidity, protected by the FGD up to €100,000, easier to set up
- Government bonds: backed by the government, can be more profitable over medium/long terms, requires more management
On APYData, you can compare both options in one place using the financial product comparison tool.
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