The Local Spain


Q&A: What the new Verifactu system means for Spain's self-employed

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:31:56 +0100

If you're a self-employed worker or a business owner in Spain, you'll have to start preparing for the introduction of a new mandatory invoicing software next year. Here are some key questions answered about how the new billing system works.


IN PICS: The best places to see spring blossom in Spain

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 16:37:29 +0100

You don't have to travel all the way to Japan to see blossoms. If you want to plan ahead and book a trip to the Spanish countryside to see it in all its springtime glory, here are of some of the best places to visit during the floral season.


Dutch emerge as third main foreign property buyers in Spain

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:51:48 +0100

Dutch buyers are increasing their share of the Spanish property market, joining two long-standing foreign buyer groups but with more of a focus on luxury properties.


'Humanly impossible': Staff call for more resources to tackle Spain's mass regularisation

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:54:57 +0100

With the application window for Spain's proposed regularisation of 500,000+ undocumented migrants approaching, unions and immigration office staff have called for greater manpower and resources.


Spain to declassify documents on failed 1981 coup attempt

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:05:51 +0100

Spain's leftist government said Monday it will release classified documents related to a failed 1981 coup attempt, calling the move a step toward settling a "historical debt" with citizens.


How to check how many points you have left on your driving licence in Spain

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:26:44 +0100

If you're worried because you don't know how many points you've had taken off your licence, there are three easy ways to check. Here's how.


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

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:37:40 +0100

Court dismisses sex abuse complaint against Spain's first PM, Spanish property sales hit highest level in 18 years and more news on Monday February 23rd.


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?


UK’s new passport rules for dual citizens are result of border control in digital age

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:37:16 +0100

New passport rules for British dual citizens reflect border control and citizenship in a digital age, writes Nando Sigona in The Conversation.


How to avoid 8 common mistakes when applying for Spanish citizenship

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:34:12 +0100

Though Spain has granted citizenship to more people than other European countries in recent years, the application process is incredibly lengthy and fraught with pitfalls. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.


DNV or NLV: Which visa is easier to get in Spain?

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:56:57 +0100

If you're a non-EU national who wants to move to Spain, you're probably trying to decide which visa to apply for. The Digital Nomad Visa and the Non-Lucrative Visa are two of the most common, but which one has lower financial requirements and less paperwork?


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.