The Local Spain


Inside Spain: Does Japan have the solution to Spaniards' longevity problem?

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:06:12 +0100

In this week’s edition we explain why Spain is looking at Japan's healthcare system as an example of what to do when your country has the highest life expectancy in the world.


CONFIRMED: The new financial requirements for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa in 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:56:54 +0100

If you’re considering applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) this year, you should know that it just got more expensive.


How much does it cost on average to live in Spain in 2026?

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:08:59 +0100

If you're considering a move to Spain this year, you'll want to know how much your monthly living costs will be, especially if you're thinking of relocating to a big city like Barcelona or Madrid. Here's what the data says.


Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica hits peak height

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:41:24 +0100

Constructors crowned the largest tower of Barcelona's unfinished Sagrada Familia basilica with a final piece on Friday, setting the peak of the world's tallest church at 172.5 metres (566 feet).


Calçots: How to make, eat and enjoy Catalonia's winter treat

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 08:47:51 +0100

If you're in Catalonia in winter one of the best local traditions you can take part in is a 'calçotada', a ritual which sees friends and families gobble up flame-grilled calçots (a type of green onion) with a delicious sauce.


Getting explicit: How to swear like a local in Spain

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:06:15 +0200

Everyone in Spain, from sweet little kids to frail old ladies, peppers their everyday conversation with enough swearwords to make a sailor blush. Here's how to join in (if you want to, of course).


Does Spain deport foreign criminals?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:09:12 +0100

Spain's leftist government is often accused of being soft on foreign criminals, and the upcoming regularisation of 500,000 undocumented migrants has brought these beliefs back into the spotlight. Does Spain really allow felons from overseas to stay?


Can dual national Brits travel to UK without valid British passport after all?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:07:00 +0100

Upcoming rule changes to the UK's new ETA border system have angered dual national Brits, but updated travel guidance from the government and a major airline suggests those without valid British passports may be allowed entry - as long as they have an expired UK passport.


How many foreigners fail the culture and language exams for Spanish citizenship?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:50:39 +0100

Thinking about applying for Spanish citizenship but worried about the exams? Here's how many people pass the culture and language tests required to become a Spanish national.


How single parents and over-55s can get €400 to help pay the rent in Barcelona

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:40:05 +0100

Barcelona city council is launching a new rent subsidy of up to €400 per month for Barcelona residents who are single parents and residents over 55 years of age if they spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent. These are the steps to apply.


14 unusual foods you won't believe are eaten in Spain

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 16:17:51 +0200

Spain is well known as a gastronomical destination famous for its jamón, tortilla and paella, but it is also home to a few stranger foods that you might not have heard of.


Why conservatives in Spain are ditching the centre right for the far right

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:02:42 +0100

The quiet migration of voters on the Spanish right is getting little media attention but could reshape the future of Spain, new data suggests. What is convincing longstanding PP voters to shift further right?


Where are roads in the worst condition in Spain?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:49:49 +0100

Think the potholes are particularly bad in your part of Spain? A new study has revealed the regions with the most damaged roads in the country.


Property in Spain: What's the 'nota simple' and why is it so important?

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:46:29 +0200

If you're interested in buying a property in Spain, one of the documents you have to make sure you obtain before paying or signing anything is the land registry certificate called 'la nota simple'. Here's why it matters so much and how to get it.


Gibraltar edges closer to post-Brexit freedom of movement

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:03:22 +0100

Following a statement from the European Commission, the British overseas territory at the tip of southern Spain is set to move beyond its post-Brexit legal limbo and implement a new treaty, including freedom of movement.


Barcelona mayor 'would ban' non-EU second home owners

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:28:51 +0100

Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni on Wednesday said that if possible he "would prohibit" British, American and other foreigners from outside of the EU from buying second homes in the Catalan capital.


Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:48:20 +0100

Spain extends residency rights for Ukrainian refugees, Barcelona to give over-55s €400 a month to help with housing and more news from Spain on Thursday February 19th.


KEY POINTS: What changes about life in Spain in March 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:57:32 +0100

The deadline for declaring world assets and crypto assets, new Schengen entry rules at the Gibraltar border, several strikes, new flights, clocks change - here's everything that's new about life in Spain in March 2026.


How UK dual nationals in Europe can renounce British citizenship

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:34:18 +0100

If you wish to give up British citizenship - here's how to do it, how much it costs and how, in some cases, you can get it back.


Why does Spain bury a sardine to mark the start of Lent?

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 13:00:00 +0100

Every carnival season in Spain, mock funeral parades with weeping widows take place for the ceremonial burial of a fish.