Since the 80s, higher education in Spain has undergone important modifications such as greater autonomy, expansion in the number of students and the introduction of more flexible programmes. In this context, guidance services have proliferated in an unstructured way. This paper presents a description of guidance services in Spanish universities and the main innovations they have developed. Two sources of information have been used: institutional websites; and telephone interviews to those in charge of guidance services at Spanish universities. The study concludes that guidance services are in a dynamic situation, characterised by the introduction of innovations at some universities in order to be more cost-effective and to adapt to a more varied student population. However, the lack of a legislative framework for guidance, and the limited interest shown by institutional authorities, indicate the necessity of debating the importance given to guidance services and their impact on quality levels within the higher education system.