OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the degree of asthma control in Spain in accordance with the GINA criteria. METHODS: An epidemiological cross-sectional multicenter study was performed. A representative sample of consecutive patients with asthma over 18 years attending primary care and specialist offices were enrolled. Patients were seen in winter and spring and were asked on their asthma control in the four weeks prior to the visit according to the GINA criteria. Control was defined based on the patient's day and night symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 614 patients participated in the study. Patients presented every day or most days in the four weeks prior to the winter and spring visit daytime symptoms (40.3% vs. 22.5%)(p <0.01), nignt-time symptoms (27.8% vs. 13.9%)(p <0.01)), severe exacerbation episodes (11.9% vs. 8.8%) and intolerance to exercise (32.9% vs. 35.5%). The proportion of patients with emergency visits in the four weeks prior to the visit was 9.1% vs. 4.2% (p <0.01) respectively. The most frequently used treatment was the combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting b2 adrenergic agonists (49.8% vs. 49%). There was a slightly higher number of inadequately controlled patients in winter than spring, 74.2% vs. 71.1% (p <0.01) respectively. CONCLUSION: Asthma is poorly controlled in Spain, with the need for improvements in the management of the disease.