Alex Dunham

2 weeks ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham

Forty years since Spain joined the EU On June 12th 1985, an event took place that changed the course of Spain's history: the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Spain to the European Communities, the current European Union. This put an end to decades of continental isolation by the EU partners, who had always imposed as a red line the indispensable requirement that Spain be a consolidated democracy to become a full member.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham

US tariff uncertainty hits Spain GDP forecast Uncertainty from US President Donald Trump's tariffs, and the risk they bring a global slowdown, forced Spain's central bank on Tuesday to downgrade its 2025 economic growth forecast. It predicted Spain's economy would grow 2.4 percent this year, down from a previous forecast of 2.7 percent. The Bank of Spain said a "small slowdown in the pace of GDP growth" was expected over the second half of 2025.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham |Esme Fox

Despite Spain having the highest unemployment rate in the EU, there are still huge shortages of workers in many fields. Traditional trades, referred to as oficios in Spanish, are no exception. It's a trend being witnessed across much of the developed world, where skilled trade workers are in short supply and therefore in high demand.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham

Spain wants more American and Canadian tourists Spanish public tourism body Turespaña is organising a conference in Seville to position Spain among the top European destinations for the Canadian and American markets. American holidaymakers already represent the sixth largest market for Spain and the fourth biggest spenders, with Canadian tourists following closely behind in terms of expenditure.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham |Esme Fox

Despite the increasing amount of regulations aimed at controlling short-term lets in Spain, tourist rentals remain so profitable for many families and businesses that the phenomenon seems unstoppable. Just over 1.5 percent of properties in Spain are now tourist lets, but these are just the official numbers that don't factor in the unlicenced properties. Unsurprisingly, Airbnb-style lets are no longer limited to Spanish city centres and there are plenty on the outskirts too.