The Department of Culture and Linguistic Policy of the Basque Government will have a budget of 442.8 million euros in 2027, a 7% increase and its highest ever, following a 32% growth during the current term. Basque is the fastest-growing area, with 105.1 million euros (+12.4%), aiming for a qualitative leap in its knowledge and use. Culture will receive 93.2 million euros (+7.4%) and sports, 15 million.
This budget includes significant projects such as Euskadi's own presence at the 2028 Venice Biennale, cooperation with the National Choreographic Centre of Biarritz, the Basque Centre for High-Performance Sport (Getxo), the Irun-Txenperenea sports project, and the commemoration of anniversaries for major cultural infrastructures like the Guggenheim Bilbao (30 years) and Artium (25 years).
The First Vice-Lehendakari and Minister of Culture and Linguistic Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea, presented the budget at the Basque Parliament. "We are strengthening structures, supporting professionals, and expanding opportunities so that culture, Basque language, and sports reach more people. That is also investing in the well-being and future of Euskadi," she emphasized.
The Department's budget has grown steadily, from 369.4 million in 2024 to 442.8 million in 2027. Excluding personnel costs and the contribution to EITB, resources for Culture, Linguistic Policy, and Sports have increased by 32%. For example, calls for professional artistic sectors will increase by 56% (from 12 to 20 million), and 36% more will be allocated to advance towards free Basque language learning.
The Culture area will have 93.2 million euros in 2027 (+7.4%). The audiovisual sector will grow the most, with 16 million (+17.5%), reaching 25 million with EITB's contribution. Music will receive 15.5 million (+8.6%) and performing arts, 4.5 million (+12.2%). Cultural heritage will have 39.4 million, of which 20.4 million will be allocated to the Basque Museum System.
The Linguistic Policy area will receive 105.1 million euros (+12.4%). HABE will have 69.6 million to advance towards free Basque language learning, finance euskaltegis, and improve teacher conditions. The Jauzia Gara process will have 26.9 million to promote the social use of Basque. The Etxepare Basque Institute will have 5.2 million to promote Basque language and culture worldwide.
In Sports, high-performance sports will receive 4.6 million (+13%). The Basque federations will have a new headquarters in Bilbao. EITB will have 212 million euros (+5.3%) to continue as a leading public media outlet.
Alongside this budget, the Law of the Cultural System of Euskadi will be approved to organize the cultural system and provide stability to the sector. Furthermore, Euskadi will prepare its own space at the 2028 Venice Art Biennale, continuing its presence after a 50-year absence.
