The Local Spain

European countries condemn Israel's expansion of West Bank settlements Thu, 25 Dec 2025 12:38:22 +0100 Fourteen countries, including France and Germany, condemned on Wednesday Israel's recent approval of new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Why Santa Claus comes from Spain, according to the Dutch Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:41:56 +0100 In the Netherlands there's no cheery old man from the North Pole with his flying reindeer, there's Sinterklaas from Spain who rides a white horse called Amerigo.

12 weird and wonderful Christmas traditions celebrated across Spain Sat, 21 Dec 2019 11:41:25 +0100 Feliz Navidad (Happy Christmas) to all our readers! If you're spending Christmas in Spain, here are 12 traditions foreigners tend to find both brilliant and bizarre.

The essential A to Z of Spanish Christmas vocabulary Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:07:30 +0100 If you're going to be spending Christmas in Spain, you may want to brush up on this essential 'Navidad' vocab to show off your festive language skills.

EU 'strongly condemns' US visa bans against five Europeans Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:36:22 +0100 The European Union reacted sharply on Wednesday to US visa sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.

LISTED: The big changes to travel in Spain in 2026 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:31:26 +0100 A countrywide fixed-price travel pass, tighter rules to enter the UK from Spain, lots of changes for drivers, insurance for e-scooter riders and plenty more - here's a breakdown of all the changes to travel and transport in Spain in 2026.

'Up to 10C below normal': Spain to have coldest Christmas in 15 years Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:50:17 +0100 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be the coldest December 24th and 25th on record across Spain since 2010, according to forecasts by Spain’s weather agency Aemet.

What's open and what's closed over Christmas in Spain? Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:16:33 +0100 Christmas is a time for family gatherings and feasting in Spain, but not everything will shut down complete over the festive period.

Turrón or tangerines? What Spaniards really eat and drink during Christmas Wed, 18 Dec 2019 08:23:23 +0100 Nougat fudge and seafood aren’t the only foodstuffs Spanish people eat during the Christmas period. Here’s what Spaniards are wolfing down the most during the festive season according to official data.

Meet the log that poops gifts at Christmas in Spain Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:00:45 +0100 On Christmas Eve in some parts of Spain, it's not Santa that children are waiting for, but this little guy who delivers presents in a rather unconventional manner.

'Villancicos': The origin of Spain's Christmas carols Wed, 24 Dec 2025 09:37:35 +0100 If there's one music that will be playing in all Spanish households this Christmas it's 'villancicos'. Discover all about some of Spain's most-loved Christmas carols and how they came to be.

Polish squatters arrested for killing two Germans on Spain's Costa Blanca Wed, 24 Dec 2025 09:17:05 +0100 Two Germans were beaten to death in south-eastern Spain in a brawl that got out of hand, El País newspaper reported Tuesday, with police saying they had arrested two Polish suspects in the case.

Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday Wed, 24 Dec 2025 09:03:54 +0100 Social security fees of self-employed workers in Spain frozen for 2026, Spanish police recover plundered Visigoth crown and more news on Wednesday December 24th.

Can I leave work early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in Spain? Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:27:34 +0100 Both dates fall during the week this year so many will be looking to clock off early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to be with their loved ones.

LISTED: Visa, residency and citizenship changes in Spain in 2026 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:01:19 +0100 Changes to entry rules to Spain, higher financial requirements for Spain's main visas, tens of thousands to get new residency documents and Spanish citizenship - there are lots of changes in store for foreigners in Spain next year.

Turrón: 11 things you didn’t know about Spain's sweet Christmas treat Fri, 24 Dec 2021 08:54:53 +0100 Take a stroll through any Spanish supermarket during the festive season, and you'll surely spot the turrón aisle. Spaniards love it, and it's everywhere at this time of year. But what is turrón, exactly? And why is it so popular at Christmas?

Olentzero: Meet the Basque version of Santa Claus Mon, 16 Dec 2019 09:32:22 +0100 Move over Santa because there's a pipe-smoking, beret wearing, more rugged version of you living in northern Spain.

Volotea replaces Ryanair as Spain's Asturias airport regains international flights Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:15:03 +0100 Air travel to and from the northern Spanish region of Asturias was due to be badly hit by Ryanair’s massive flight cuts, but Volotea has announced it will step in to replace some international routes and offer new ones in 2026.

Opposition claims Spain's ruling Socialists in 'irreversible decline' Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:01:24 +0100 Spain's ruling Socialists are in "irreversible decline" after a bruising defeat in a regional election on the weekend, the country's conservative opposition said Monday.

Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:52:23 +0100 Spain to face temperatures as low as -6C over Christmas, Spanish Treasury registers record revenue from non-residents, El Gordo Christmas Lottery sees winners in León and Madrid and more from Spain this Tuesday December 23rd.