The Local Spain


Do I have to pay the estate agent a commission when renting in Spain?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:05:54 +0100

Who has to pay the real estate agent commission (usually equivalent to one month's rent) in Spain: the landlord or the new tenant? And are there exceptions to the rules or underhand tricks agents use to get tenants to cough up more money?


Spain braces for rain and strong winds as Storm Goretti brings 'weather bomb'

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:35:09 +0100

Following a chilly Christmas period that saw snow in many parts of the country, Spain faces another storm with several regions on weather alert from Thursday January 8th.


Spain open to sending troops to Ukraine and Palestine

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:24:07 +0100

Spain is ready to send troops to Palestine for peacekeeping "when the opportunity presents itself," just as it is willing to deploy forces to Ukraine, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Thursday.


More scandals and early elections? What's in store for Spanish politics in 2026

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:32:48 +0100

Elections, corruption, sex scandals, fragile government coalitions and perhaps an early end to Pedro Sánchez's Socialist government? Spanish politics promises to have it all in 2026.


Spain to see its first total solar eclipse in over a century in 2026

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:36:56 +0100

The first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain in 114 years will take place in August 2026, one of three eclipses people in the Iberian Peninsula will be able to witness in the next three years.


Spain mulls cheaper train fares for standing passengers

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:22:31 +0100

Rail passengers in Spain could soon benefit from cheaper train travel if they stand instead of being guaranteed a seat, the country's transport minister has proposed.


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

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:53:33 +0100

Tourism and immigration behind 95 percent of Spain’s GDP growth, PM says Spain willing to participate in peacekeeping mission in Ukraine and more news on Thursday January 8th.


EXPLAINED: How to change your electricity provider in Spain

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:08:18 +0200

What happens if you want to change your electricity supplier in Spain? How do you go about it and what are the pitfalls to watch out for?


Blackface lives on in Spain during Epiphany despite growing outrage

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:01:00 +0100

After a Three Kings Day parade in Seville featured Andalusia's regional president in blackface playing King Balthazar, the debate over the outdated and racist practice has again been reignited in Spain.


Oil and immigration: How the situation in Venezuela can affect Spain

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:10:37 +0100

Donald Trump's military offensive in Venezuela and capture of leader Nicolás Maduro has plenty of implications for Spain, a country which is home to some 600,000 Venezuelans and with longstanding business interests in the Latin American country.


Europe faces transport chaos as deadly cold snap persists

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:52:42 +0100

Snow, ice and high winds brought transport chaos to swathes of Europe for a third day on Wednesday, with hundreds of flights cancelled and passengers stranded.


Rebajas: What you need to know about the winter sales in Spain

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:58:59 +0100

In many countries around the world such as the US, the UK and Australia, winter sales begin straight away after Christmas on Boxing Day, but here in Spain it’s slightly different.


LISTED: The big tax changes in Spain in 2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:36:18 +0100

The new year often marks several changes to tax rules in Spain and 2026 is no different. From increases in capital gains tax to increased surveillance of money transfers and changes to personal income tax, here's what you need to know.


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

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:59:41 +0100

Spain's PM warns US action in Venezuela sets 'dangerous precedent', freezing temperatures in many parts of Spain on Wednesday and more news from Spain on January 7th.


Nestlé recalls infant formula in several European countries

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:35:35 +0100

Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure.


El Niño: What to know about Spain's other big Christmas lottery

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 16:07:44 +0100

You probably know about 'El Gordo' (The Fat One) - Spain's famous Christmas lottery - but there's another festive draw called 'El Niño' where the chances of winning are higher.


Why your salary in Spain will be slightly lower in 2026

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:52:17 +0200

Next year, salaried employees and self-employed workers in Spain will have to pay a tax which will progressively increase over the coming years.


UPDATED: All the new flights to and from Spain in 2026

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:17:26 +0100

If you've made travel a new year's resolution in 2026, you're in luck as there will be a whole host of new routes to and from Spain this year.


What changes are in store for mortgages in Spain in 2026?

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:11:06 +0100

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Spain this year or you’ve already taken out a loan, it’s important to find out what will happen to mortgages going forward, known as hipotecas in Spanish.


What you need to know about Spain's festive Roscón de Reyes cake

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 10:00:29 +0100

Every culture has a particular food associated with Christmas and in Spain there is nothing more typically festive than the Roscón de Reyes, the 'Cake of Kings'. Here's what you need to know about this tradition and its fascinating origins.