The Local Spain

Spanish PM faces fresh blow in key Andalusia vote Sun, 17 May 2026 10:38:52 +0200 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists appeared headed for another setback as a key regional election in Andalusia began on Sunday, a possible dress rehearsal for next year's national vote.

Bulgaria's 'Bangaranga' wins Eurovision, with Israel second Sun, 17 May 2026 10:44:45 +0200 Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday with Dara's catchy floor-filler "Bangaranga" sweeping the 70th edition of the world's biggest live televised music event and pushing into second place Israel, whose participation had triggered a major boycott.

How your annual tax declaration changes when you buy a property in Spain Mon, 11 May 2026 10:59:52 +0200 If you bought a property in Spain last year and you're a tax resident, it's mandatory to declare this on your income tax return. Here's how.

EXPLAINED: Do Spain's self-employed pay more tax than employees? Tue, 12 May 2026 15:37:40 +0200 Ever wondered who has the highest tax burden in Spain? We find out if you ultimately pay more as a salaried employee, a self-employed worker, an investor or a landlord.

British mountaineer, 61, dies in Spanish national park Sat, 16 May 2026 14:40:33 +0200 Spanish emergency services on Saturday recovered the body of a missing British mountaineer whose appeal for rescue from a freezing high-altitude route went in vain due to fierce blizzards.

Inside Spain: The fight to stop family-run shops from closing down Sat, 16 May 2026 10:09:58 +0200 In this week’s Inside Spain, we look at how the country's small neighbourhood stores are struggling to survive against the likes of Amazon, and why this matters so much for the Spanish lifestyle we all appreciate.

Spain's Eurovision boycott puts it 'on the right side of history', PM says Sat, 16 May 2026 09:10:06 +0200 Spain's boycott of the Eurovision song contest over Israel's war in Gaza puts it "on the right side of history", Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Friday, ahead of the final in Austria.

What are the fines if you make mistakes on your Spanish tax return? Mon, 20 May 2024 14:09:07 +0200 Filling out your Spanish income tax return can be daunting and mistakes can be made, so what happens if you submit your form with an error? Will you always have to pay a fine and how much will it be? Is there a way of correcting the mistake in time?

10 apps that will help you with bureaucracy in Spain Thu, 14 May 2026 10:17:48 +0200 We all know that Spanish bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with, but these apps can make it just that little bit easier.

How much money Spain recommends you keep at home for emergencies Wed, 13 May 2026 09:50:41 +0200 Are you the type of person who only pays by card or via mobile app these days? Here's why you should consider keeping some cash at home and how much the Bank of Spain believes you should have stashed away.

Seven proven ways to help you meet new people in Spain Fri, 15 May 2026 11:42:29 +0200 The challenge of moving to a new country, or even a new city, is how to make new friends and connections. Here are some of the best ways to meet people in Spain.

'Thank you, Tenerife': WHO chief praises Spanish island in hantavirus fight Fri, 15 May 2026 11:35:20 +0200 The head of the World Health Organisation on Thursday published an open letter thanking the people of Tenerife for showing "moral courage" in accepting to help those aboard a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak to evacuate.

How to watch the 2026 World Cup on TV in Spain Fri, 15 May 2026 11:18:02 +0200 The world's biggest football spectacle kicks off on June 11th, but unfortunately getting to watch all the matches on TV while in Spain is going to be more complicated and expensive than ever. These are your best options and the games airing for free.

Spain's PM faces key Andalusia vote after series of defeats Fri, 15 May 2026 09:46:42 +0200 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists seek to avoid a drubbing in the key region of Andalusia on Sunday, following a string of electoral losses ahead of next year's national vote.

Spain's PM 'proud' of Barça's Yamal in Palestinian flag row Fri, 15 May 2026 09:24:24 +0200 Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday said Barcelona star Lamine Yamal had made Spain "proud" for waving a Palestinian flag at a victory parade that sparked Israeli accusations of "inciting hatred".

Spain arrests top UK fugitive in Benidorm drug bust Fri, 15 May 2026 09:18:48 +0200 Spanish police on Thursday said they had arrested one of Britain's most-wanted fugitives after snuffing out a drug trafficking and forgery group concealed in the famed beach resort of Benidorm.

Why are TV ad breaks so long in Spain? Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:32:25 +0100 Watching Spanish TV can often feel like it's all just ads, and the actual programmes are the fillers. Why is it that ad breaks in Spain often run for more than 12 minutes?

Q&A: Who will win Andalusia's elections and why does it matter for Spain? Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:20:48 +0100 Voters in Spain's most populous region are set to head to the polls this weekend. But who's running, what do the polls say, and what could the results of Andalusia's regional election mean for national politics?

Myth-buster: Have schools in Spain banned pork and introduced halal menus? Thu, 14 May 2026 12:16:17 +0200 Several posts circling online claim that Spain will soon introduce halal menus in its school canteens. Is there any truth to this?

Pollen allergies in Spain: What you need to know Tue, 31 May 2022 16:29:18 +0200 Experts are warning the general population in Spain that pollen levels are expected to be much higher this year after abundant rainfall these past few months. Here's everything you need to know about hay fever in Spain.