Naval Station Rota

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Rota, Cadiz Province, Andalusia, Spain
Installation Type: Naval Station
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Station Rota is located near the town of Rota in Cadiz Province, Andalusia, Spain, approximately 8 kilometers from Rota town and 25 kilometers from the city of Cadiz. Situated on the Atlantic coast at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, Naval Station Rota is the largest U.S. naval installation in Europe and one of the most strategically important bases in the NATO alliance. Home to Commander, Naval Activities Spain (COMNAVACT Spain) and homeport for four U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships), Rota provides critical support for NATO’s European missile defense architecture, Atlantic operations, and sustained Mediterranean and European theater presence. The base is operated jointly under the U.S.-Spain Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Homeport and support the four Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMD) destroyers assigned to NATO’s European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA); provide logistics hub for European and Atlantic theater naval operations; support Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Africa.
Major Units: Commander, Naval Activities Spain (COMNAVACT Spain); Destroyer Squadron SIX ZERO (DESRON 60) headquarters; Four DDG (Aegis) destroyer homeports; Naval Air Station Rota (joint U.S.-Spanish airfield)
Tenant Units: Spanish Navy (Base Naval de Rota, joint tenant); NATO Allied Maritime Command support; Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville Forward; various U.S. and NATO support elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Cadiz (population approximately 120,000) – approximately 25 km northeast; Jerez de la Frontera – approximately 30 km east; Seville – approximately 120 km north; Gibraltar – approximately 100 km southeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Jerez Airport (XRY) – approximately 35 km east; Seville Airport (SVQ) – approximately 120 km north; Gibraltar Airport (GIB) – approximately 100 km southeast; Malaga Airport (AGP) – approximately 170 km east (major international hub)
Gate Access: Main gate on the road to Rota town; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; Spanish/NATO joint access protocols apply; high operational tempo given ABMD mission

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,500
Family Members: Approximately 7,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 14,500

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Health Clinic Rota – primary care, dental, behavioral health; specialty referrals to Spanish hospitals in Cadiz (Puerta del Mar University Hospital) or Seville for more complex care; Madrid for major cases; medevac capability
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; important given remote Rota/Cadiz location
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities; serves the Rota military community
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pools; beach access (Atlantic Ocean, 1-2 km); golf course; bowling; auto skills; Cadiz Bay and Atlantic coast beaches; Spanish Andalusian culture is world-class; Rota is a beach town with excellent quality of life
Schools: DoDEA Rota Elementary School; Rota Middle School; Rota High School – DoDEA schools on or adjacent to base; DoDEA serves all military children; Rota has one of the larger DoDEA school communities in Europe
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; register early; Spanish childcare (guarderias) also available locally
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; Spanish veterinarians available locally
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based; Spain SOFA matters through JAG

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters on base; substantial family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; Rota’s beach location makes on-base housing especially desirable
Average Wait Time: 30-90 days for on-post housing; economy housing in Rota and surrounding communities available
Off-Post Housing: Rota town, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Puerto Real, Chipiona, and Cadiz city offer off-base housing; OHA applies; Rota town is attractive and affordable; living in a Spanish beach town is a significant quality-of-life benefit; Spanish housing style (tile floors, thick walls, small by American standards); bilingual real estate assistance available through housing office
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Rota OHA reflects Cadiz Province Spanish coastal rental costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; COMNAVACT Spain, destroyer squadron, and ship sponsorship programs; Rota is consistently rated as one of the best OCONUS Navy assignments
In-Processing: Naval Station Rota in-processing; typically 3-5 days; Spain/NATO SOFA briefings; vehicle registration; ration card; medical enrollment
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening before Rota orders; Cadiz has moderate specialist availability; Seville and Madrid for complex cases; Rota’s FFSC has experience supporting complex EFMP cases

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean/oceanic; mild warm summers (average high 82F/28C in July; cooler and breezier than inland Andalusia due to Atlantic location); mild winters (average low 46F/8C in January); low rainfall; approximately 300 sunny days per year; Atlantic breezes; Rota has one of the most pleasant climates of any military installation
Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Cadiz Province and Rota town are among the most affordable parts of Spain; excellent quality of life at reasonable cost; Spanish food, tapas culture, and local wine are exceptional and very affordable; OHA typically adequate
Nearby Attractions: Rota beaches (Atlantic Coast beaches adjacent to base, some of the best in Europe); Cadiz city (25 km) – one of Europe’s oldest cities, stunning old town on a peninsula, Cadiz Carnival (February, world-famous); Jerez de la Frontera (30 km) – sherry wineries, Real Escuela de Equitacion Andaluza (Spanish Riding School), flamenco, Moto GP racing; Seville (120 km) – Spain’s most beautiful baroque city with the Cathedral (UNESCO), Alcazar (UNESCO), and Flamenco; Gibraltar (100 km) – British territory, Rock of Gibraltar; Morocco accessible by fast ferry from Tarifa (90 km) – Tangier is 35 minutes; Costa de la Luz beaches; Donana National Park (UNESCO, 100 km); Cadiz Carnival is one of the world’s greatest celebrations
Spouse Employment: On-base employment through NAF, AAFES/NEX, commissary, DoDEA, and contractor positions; Spanish employment requires Spanish language and EU work authorization; remote work with U.S. employers common; time zone allows good connectivity with U.S. East Coast; English teaching popular; FFSC assists; Rota military community has active spouse employment networking

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: U.S.-Spain Defense Cooperation Agreement (Convenio de Defensa) and NATO SOFA govern U.S. personnel; Spain is a NATO member; covers legal jurisdiction, customs, vehicle registration, and operational matters
Host Nation Rules: Spanish laws apply off-base; Spain is relaxed socially; siesta culture (quiet hours midday); late meal times (dinner typically 9-10 PM); traffic in Spanish cities can be chaotic; noise ordinances in residential areas; respect for local community expected
Curfew: No formal SOFA curfew in Spain; unit-level liberty policies may apply; Spain has no adult curfew; Spanish nightlife is very late by American standards
Ration Card / Customs: NATO/SOFA ration card for tax-free purchases; limits on alcohol, tobacco, and electronics; customs rules for EU travel; VAT exemptions for SOFA personnel on certain purchases
Vehicle Registration: SOFA vehicles registered through base; Spanish mandatory insurance (seguro obligatorio) required; valid SOFA license or Spanish license; right-hand traffic (same as U.S.); Spanish driving culture is assertive; roundabouts common; Spanish roads generally good
Language and Culture: Spanish (Castilian) with Andalusian accent; Cadiz area has a distinctive Gaditano accent; learning Spanish is essential for truly enjoying the assignment and widely appreciated; Andalusian culture is among Spain’s most vibrant – flamenco, Semana Santa (Holy Week), Feria de Abril (Seville Spring Fair), sherry wine, tapas culture, and Carnival
Currency and Banking: Euro (EUR); on-base banking available; Spanish banks available in Rota and Cadiz; ATMs widespread; credit cards accepted; local markets prefer cash
Travel Restrictions: Free movement throughout Schengen Area; Morocco day trip accessible from Tarifa (no passport issue for U.S. citizens); unit travel policies apply; some countries require SOFA travel notification
Mail: APO AE address assigned; APO mail for personal shipments; Spanish Correos postal service for local mail; packages from U.S. take approximately 1-2 weeks via APO
Pets: EU pet passport or USDA-endorsed EU Health Certificate required; ISO microchip mandatory; rabies vaccination current; USDA accredited vet endorsement; dogs require tapeworm treatment for some EU country entry; Spain is very dog-friendly; Rota beaches and the Andalusian lifestyle accommodate pets well; local Spanish veterinarians available

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafcent/installations/nsrota.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-station-rota; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalStation_Rota