European coastal ecosystems and their underlying biodiversity are in a singularly vulnerable condition. Due to changes in land-use, the littoral experiences a progressive state of decay, an intensification of multiple uses, related over-exploitation and fragmentation, as well as habitat and biodiversity loss. Thus, it is known fact that coastal areas require biodiversity inclusive spatial planning considering land- and sea use change. This PhD project addresses governance processes for coastal conservation in Europe from a spatial planning perspective. Following a Multilevel Governance (MLG) approach, a focused comparison analyses the European biodiversity conservation, and related planning practices in one German and one Spanish region with similar land-use pressures and conflicts. During the current work in progress, the project emphasises the aspects that shape development processes through legally binding instruments in coastal areas and identifies from the case studies the strong and weak aspects that enhance coastal conservation planning.