The Local Spain


Spain to set up network of climate shelters for heatwaves

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:17:26 +0100

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced Wednesday that Spain would set up a national network of climate shelters to help people survive increasingly severe heatwaves.


How under-16s in Spain can get €100 for glasses or contact lenses

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:53:15 +0100

From Wednesday December 17th, all families with children under 16 who need glasses or contacts will be able to benefit from the government's new subsidy of €100. These are the conditions and how to apply.


19 European countries call on EU to fund migrant 'return hubs'

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:47:54 +0100

After the European Union significantly tightened its immigration policy earlier this month, 19 EU countries on Wednesday urged the European Commission to finance "return hubs" outside the bloc for failed asylum-seekers.


How Madrid's new €10 transport card for tourists works

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:11:27 +0100

Spain's capital has launched a new public transport card aimed specifically at tourists which allows for unlimited travel for a certain amount of time, starting from €10.


Where to get a real Christmas tree in Spain

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:14:32 +0100

Christmas is just around the corner, so if you haven’t got your tree yet and you want to buy a real one rather than a plastic one, here's where you can find them in Spain.


The big changes for self-employed workers in Spain in 2026

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:39:46 +0100

If you're self-employed in Spain or considering becoming 'autónomo' in 2026, there are several important changes to be aware of, from a potential increase in social security fees to the way the Spanish taxman monitors your payments.


UK set to rejoin EU's Erasmus scheme from 2027

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:46:26 +0100

Britain is set to rejoin the European Union's Erasmus student exchange programme, which it left almost five years ago following Brexit, UK media reported late Tuesday.


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

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:33:28 +0100

New Banksy exhibition in Barcelona, bereavement leave in Spain closer to being extended to 10 days and more news on Wednesday December 17th.


The essential A to Z of Spanish Christmas vocabulary

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:07:30 +0100

If you're going to be spending Christmas in Spain, you may want to brush up on this essential 'Navidad' vocab to show off your festive language skills.


Americans in Spain: Conservative think-thanks and the NFL's 'soft power'

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:09:48 +0100

In this month's edition of Americans in Spain, we cover their big spending habits in the Spanish real estate market, the influence being exerted by US conservative think-tanks on Spanish politics, and the NFL's arrival in Madrid.


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.


Los Rondeles: The most enchanting fiesta before Christmas in Spain

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:25:34 +0100

In a small village in the province of Málaga, a mesmerising celebration called 'Los Rondeles' takes place on two different dates in December.


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.


Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news from Spain on Tuesday

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:59:00 +0100

Red alert for heavy rains in Tarragona, doctors reach a deal to not go on strike in January and more news from Spain on Tuesday December 16th.


Spain to launch €60 nationwide travel pass in January 2026

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:50:35 +0100

Spain will soon offer a new single travel pass which can be used unlimitedly on most forms of public transport regardless of the city or region for a fixed price of €60 a month.


Spain fines Airbnb €64 million for listing banned properties

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:28:16 +0100

Spain's leftist government said Monday it had fined Airbnb more than €64 million ($75 million), notably for posting listings for banned rental properties, at a time the country faces a housing crisis.


Spain marks 20 years without smoking indoors as new bans are planned

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:04:06 +0100

Spain first banned smoking indoors on December 15th 2005, and now, two decades later, the government is seeking to expand the ban to some outdoor areas as well.


How Spain has paved the way to citizenship for descendants of Franco-era exiles

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:38:58 +0100

Spain has received a surge of citizenship applications from descendants of emigrants who fled the country's 1930s civil war and Francisco Franco's dictatorship under a scheme aimed at addressing historical injustices.


The cities in Spain where the population has increased the most

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:41:55 +0100

Population growth in Spain has been increasingly driven by migration in recent years, and new data from Spain's national stats body reveals just where people are going.


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

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:49:54 +0100

135 million calls blocked by Spain's anti-spam call plan, Spain busts gang flying hashish helicopters from Morocco and more news on Monday December 15th.