The Local Spain

Can I leave work early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in Spain? Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:27:34 +0100 Both dates fall during the week this year so many will be looking to clock off early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to be with their loved ones.

LISTED: Visa, residency and citizenship changes in Spain in 2026 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:01:19 +0100 Changes to entry rules to Spain, higher financial requirements for Spain's main visas, tens of thousands to get new residency documents and Spanish citizenship - there are lots of changes in store for foreigners in Spain next year.

Turrón: 11 things you didn’t know about Spain's sweet Christmas treat Fri, 24 Dec 2021 08:54:53 +0100 Take a stroll through any Spanish supermarket during the festive season, and you'll surely spot the turrón aisle. Spaniards love it, and it's everywhere at this time of year. But what is turrón, exactly? And why is it so popular at Christmas?

Olentzero: Meet the Basque version of Santa Claus Mon, 16 Dec 2019 09:32:22 +0100 Move over Santa because there's a pipe-smoking, beret wearing, more rugged version of you living in northern Spain.

Volotea replaces Ryanair as Spain's Asturias airport regains international flights Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:15:03 +0100 Air travel to and from the northern Spanish region of Asturias was due to be badly hit by Ryanair’s massive flight cuts, but Volotea has announced it will step in to replace some international routes and offer new ones in 2026.

Opposition claims Spain's ruling Socialists in 'irreversible decline' Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:01:24 +0100 Spain's ruling Socialists are in "irreversible decline" after a bruising defeat in a regional election on the weekend, the country's conservative opposition said Monday.

Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:52:23 +0100 Spain to face temperatures as low as -6C over Christmas, Spanish Treasury registers record revenue from non-residents, El Gordo Christmas Lottery sees winners in León and Madrid and more from Spain this Tuesday December 23rd.

What to expect from travel in Spain over Christmas 2025 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:33:54 +0100 Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for travel in Spain. Here's what you need to be aware of, whether you're travelling by air, road or rail.

What's open and what's closed over Christmas in Spain? Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:16:33 +0100 Christmas is a time for family gatherings and feasting in Spain, but not everything will shut down complete over the festive period.

US Ambassador to Spain finally given green light to take up post Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:42:05 +0100 It's been almost a year since US President Donald Trump announced that Benjamin León Jr. would be the new ambassador to Spain, but he has only just now been given the go-ahead to take up his post.

El Gordo: What you need to know about Spain's Christmas lottery Wed, 18 Dec 2019 08:40:09 +0100 Every year at Christmas, Spaniards go lottery mad, queuing for hours to buy tickets for the famous "El Gordo" - The Fat One - and this year is no exception.

Can you bring Spanish meat or cheese into the UK this Christmas? Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:03:52 +0100 If you're travelling to the UK from Spain this Christmas you might be thinking of bringing gifts of Spain's delicious cheeses and cured meats - but a change in British import rules is still in effect.

Why do children sing Spain's Christmas lottery numbers? Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:48:02 +0100 You may have noticed that children are tasked with singing the longwinded Christmas lottery numbers on live TV in Spain. How did this tradition come about?

Spain's ruling Socialists crushed in Extremadura regional vote Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:08:13 +0100 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's scandal-hit Socialists endured a crushing defeat in a regional election in Extremadura on Sunday, which saw far-right Vox make big gains.

Today In Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Mon, 22 Dec 2025 08:58:39 +0100 US threatens to close ports to Spanish ships, Spain extends incentives for airlines operating at regional airports, El Gordo Christmas lottery to give out millions and more news on Monday December 22nd.

Everything that changes about life in Spain in January 2026 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:02:31 +0100 Three Kings’ Day, new V-16 light for drivers, minimum wage increase, the new nationwide travel pass, these are just some of the changes and events happening in Spain during the first month of 2026.

The key changes to bank transfers and money limits in Spain Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:36:30 +0100 Spain’s Tax Agency has confirmed that from January 1st 2026, it will make several reforms to how it monitors bank transfers. Read on to find out what this could mean for you.

Inside Spain: Former PM accused of sexual assault and first cracks in €60 travel pass Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:02:50 +0100 In this week's Inside Spain, we look at how sexual assault scandals involving minors and Spanish politicians are becoming all too common, and why Spain's new €60 countrywide travel pass already has its doubters.

Scandals shadow Spain's ruling Socialists in regional vote Sat, 20 Dec 2025 08:54:25 +0100 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist party faces a likely rout in a regional election on Sunday, in a test of the fallout from corruption and sexual misconduct scandals.

Why Brits should use form EX23 and not EX17 for TIE renewals in Spain Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:46:00 +0100 If you're a UK national living in Spain who needs to renew their Withdrawal Agreement TIE residency card, here's why you need to use form EX23 instead of EX17 for the process.