The Local Spain

KEY POINTS: What changes about life in Spain in March 2026 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:57:32 +0100 The deadline for declaring world assets and crypto assets, new Schengen entry rules at the Gibraltar border, several strikes, new flights, clocks change - here's everything that's new about life in Spain in March 2026.

Why does Spain bury a sardine to mark the start of Lent? Mon, 24 Feb 2020 13:00:00 +0100 Every carnival season in Spain, mock funeral parades with weeping widows take place for the ceremonial burial of a fish.

Spain's police chief resigns over rape allegations Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:01:33 +0100 The second highest figure in Spain's national police force was forced to resign on Tuesday following accusations of rape, a new scandal that further weakens Sánchez's left-wing government, accused by the opposition of trying to cover up the case.

Births rise in Spain for first time in over a decade Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:59:06 +0100 The number of babies born in Spain rose slightly for the first time in more than a decade in 2025, official data showed Wednesday, a boost for a country facing one of Europe's most serious demographic crises.

Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:03:49 +0100 Europe's largest counterfeit perfume factory dismantled in Catalonia, Spain arrests 'man of a thousand names' and more news on Wednesday February 18th.

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?

How to complete the mandatory registration of your e-scooter in Spain Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:45:35 +0100 It's now mandatory to have insurance for your e-scooter and in order to get this, you'll need to officially register your vehicle. Here's how to do it.

Climate change turbocharged Spain's Valencia floods: study Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:39:15 +0100 Human-driven climate change intensified rainfall that triggered the Spain's deadliest natural disaster in a generation when flash floods hit the Valencia region in 2024, a new study showed on Tuesday.

Spain to investigate social media platforms over AI child porn Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:08:50 +0100 Spain's leftist government on Tuesday said it would ask prosecutors to investigate X, Meta and TikTok for possible offences related to AI-generated child pornography, as an international backlash grows against such tools.

EXPLAINED: How to officially give up your Spanish residency Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:26:18 +0200 If you're leaving Spain for good or for a long period of time, then you will need to make sure that you deregister before you leave, essentially giving up or renouncing your Spanish residency. Here's how to do it.

What can I legally do about bad odours in my building in Spain? Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:23:21 +0100 What happens if your neighbours are causing a serious stench in your apartment building? Perhaps they make very smelly food, have stinky pets or some other foul smell is emanating from their flat. Find out what Spanish law says about it.

'A money making racket': Angry British dual nationals blast UK passport demand Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:12:16 +0100 With the end of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system's 'tolerance period' approaching, British readers of The Local have slammed unclear government guidance about a rule change meaning dual nationals must enter the country on a valid UK passport.

Five teens killed in apartment block fire in Barcelona Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:06:16 +0100 A fire at an apartment block near Barcelona has killed five young people - including three minors - and injured four others, the fire service of Spain's northeastern Catalonia region said on Tuesday.

Will British dual nationals really be forced to have a valid UK passport from February 25th? Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:48:13 +0100 The UK's new border control system ETA reaches a new phase in February - but will British dual nationals really be denied entry to the country if they do not have a valid UK passport?

Spain unveils €23-billion plan to build 15,000 homes per year Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:29:41 +0100 Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday presented a new public investment fund that he said would raise €120 billion and help tackle the country's persistent housing crisis, although similar announcements have previously not met expectations.

How does Spain's Digital Nomad Visa income requirement compare to others globally? Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:49:23 +0100 Following the increase of the financial requirements for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa in 2026, how attainable is this visa when compared to similar visas available around the world? Here is a breakdown to help you decide.

Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:38:08 +0100 High-speed trains between Madrid and Andalusia resume after devastating accident, majority of Spaniards want Constitution to be updated and more news on Tuesday February 17th.

'Made in Europe': New push to buy European causes splits in bloc Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:55:52 +0100 Everyone in Europe agrees the EU needs to rescue its industry but the bloc is split over how far it should push a 'Buy European' approach in order to do so.

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.

Spain raises minimum wage to €1,221 per month Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:05:32 +0100 Spain’s Labour Ministry and the country’s leading trade unions on Monday agreed to increase the minimum wage again, this time by a monthly €37, to €1,221 gross per month (14 payslips).