The Local Spain

Five million people in Barcelona receive SMS alert on their phones Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:26:44 +0100 The mobile phones of more than five million people in the Barcelona area rang loudly on Monday at 10am as Catalan authorities tested Spain’s ES-Alert SMS system.

Spain's Valencia shuts down over 1,000 illegal tourist flats in 18 months Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:22:11 +0100 Authorities in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia have closed down over 1,000 illegal tourist flats in the city in 18 months. Some in the city say it's too little, too late given Valencia's steep rise in property prices and rents in recent years.

Spain to grant citizenship to 170 descendants of International Brigades Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:33:42 +0100 Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that his government will grant Spanish citizenship to almost 170 descendants of the International Brigades, foreigners who fought for the Republicans side during the Spanish Civil War.

Disgraced Valencia leader resigns one year after Spain's deadly floods Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:49:39 +0100 Valencian regional president Carlos Mazón on Monday announced his resignation following a year of protests over his handling of the flood disaster which killed 229 people in October 2024.

Today In Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:48:29 +0100 Spain busts international 'laughing gas' smuggling ring, disgraced Valencia region leader to announce if he resigns, Spain's top prosecutor goes on unprecedented trial and more news on Monday November 3rd.

How good would my Spanish have to be to get citizenship if the PP reached power? Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:09:42 +0100 Spain's opposition party recently announced they will raise the language level needed to obtain Spanish citizenship if they get into government in 2027. So just how fluent in Spanish would foreign applicants have to be?

Will the income requirement for Spain's digital nomad visa increase in 2026? Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:58:13 +0100 Thinking about applying for or remaining on Spain's digital nomad visa in 2026? The amount you will have earn in order to have your visa approved is likely to increase next year.

Inside Spain: Is Richard Gere leaving to avoid paying Spanish taxes? Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:06:49 +0100 In this week's Inside Spain, we look at why it's unlikely that Richard Gere and his Spanish wife are leaving Spain after less than a year because they don't want to pay taxes here.

Alicante-Elche joins other Spanish airports in launching EES border checks Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:00:56 +0100 The popular Alicante-Elche airport on Spain's Costa Blanca is the latest to implement the new EES passport checks for travellers from outside of the EU.

Spain seeks to speed up dissolution of Franco foundation Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:50:24 +0100 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday said his leftist government would accelerate steps to try and dissolve the Francisco Franco Foundation, in a speech a few weeks before the 50th anniversary of the dictator's death.

EXCLUSIVE: Why getting Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa is now more difficult Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:45:13 +0200 Interested in moving to Spain with the help of the Non-Lucrative Visa? The Local Spain spoke to a Spanish immigration lawyer about how consulates are now asking for more documentary proof from applicants, making the process considerably harder.

Spain admits 'pain' inflicted on Indigenous peoples by Conquistadors Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:24:59 +0100 Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Friday acknowledged the "pain and injustice" inflicted on Indigenous peoples during the Spanish conquest of the Americas, after Mexico renewed calls for an official apology.

Does having a baby in Spain mean the parents can become Spanish? Tue, 06 Sep 2022 12:33:53 +0200 Are the foreign parents of a child born in Spain automatically entitled to get Spanish citizenship? Or does the fact that your child is Spanish mean you can also become a Spanish national faster?

Halloween: Spain's most haunted places Wed, 27 Oct 2021 15:11:33 +0200 Spain may not really celebrate Halloween like the US does, but it has more than its fair share of reportedly haunted spots and ghostly sightings. Here are some of the scariest places to visit in Spain if you're on the hunt for paranormal activity.

LISTED: The public holidays in Spain in 2026 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:44:19 +0100 If you're already planning ahead to 2026, here are all the official public holidays and some key tips to help you maximise the amount of time you take off from work.

Spain forecast to gain over 600,000 foreign residents in 2025 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:48:13 +0100 At a time when immigration is becoming an increasingly polarising subject in Spain, a major fiscal authority has revised its immigration forecasts by as much as 50 percent, while stating that foreigners are boosting economic growth in the country.

Gran Canaria joins other airports in Spain in launching EES border checks Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:04:43 +0100 Gran Canaria airport in Spain's Canary Islands is the latest to implement the new EES passport checks for travellers from outside of the EU.

Spain's government accuses opposition of 'copy-pasting' far right's immigration plan Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:53:38 +0100 Spain's governing Socialists have come out with a punchy response to the opposition People's Party tougher residency and citizenship rules for foreigners, describing the immigration plan as "a pack of lies" and a "copy and paste" of Vox's measures.

'A witch hunt': Spain's PM denies corruption in rowdy Senate hearing Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:49:19 +0100 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday testily denied alleged Socialist corruption before a rowdy Senate committee investigating a scandal that has rocked his government, calling the probe "a circus" and "a witch hunt".

Spain and Portugal agree Madrid-Lisbon high-speed train line Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:31:50 +0100 The Portuguese and Spanish governments have agreed to open the first direct Lisbon-Madrid train line with a high-speed service to start by 2034, officials said Thursday.