It is considered to be Spain's equivalent to the BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle and Radio Canada International.

While RNE began its first shortwave broadcasts to Europe (La Voz de España) in 1942,[1] its current branding (Radio Exterior de España) was adopted on 2 January 1978.

[2] The station is primarily intended for Spaniards living abroad.

Transmissions are in Spanish, French, Arabic, Ladino, Portuguese, Russian and English.

REE ceased shortwave broadcasts on 15 October 2014; however, two months later it was announced they would resume shortwave broadcasts in Spanish for four hours a day, as well as coverage of sporting events, in order to serve the country's fishing industry whose ships had no other viable means to access REE broadcasts while at sea.