The Local (Spain)

The Local aims to deliver all the important news and information you need about Spain. Whether you’re a foreign resident, a regular visitor, have family living in Spain, or are considering relocating to the country, we’re here to provide the resources you need.

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Aer Lingus launches new flight route from Ireland to Spain

6 days ago | thelocal.es | Conor Patrick Faulkner

Irish airline Aer Lingus this week launched a new route connecting Cork with Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country region of northern Spain. The service will fly three times per week, according to information from Cork Airport. It is a two hour direct flight into Bilbao, also providing easy access to other nearby cities across the region and northern Spain.
What you need to know about the planned Madrid to Lisbon high-speed train

6 days ago | thelocal.es | Conor Patrick Faulkner

A new high-speed rail project connecting Madrid and Lisbon that could cut travel time to just three hours has been backed by the EU, with hopes that the line could be ready as soon as 2030. "We’re working on a plan to strengthen high-speed connections between major European capitals - and Madrid–Lisbon is one of our top priorities," EU Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said recently. The journey currently takes over nine hours and involves several changes.
Spain's Balearics will allow building on rural land to address housing shortage

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Conor Patrick Faulkner

The Balearic Islands government this week passed a decree allowing for the reclassification of rural land in order to build more housing in Palma de Mallorca. The change could also soon be extended to other municipalities on the islands, according to local media reports. The governing centre-right Popular Party approved the bill with the support of far-right Vox, meaning the region's new housing decree can move forward in a bid to create more accessible and affordable for locals.
More foreigners moving to Balearics but not paying tax, Spain's tax agency says

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Conor Patrick Faulkner

The Spanish tax authorities are monitoring a growing number of foreigners moving to and living in the Balearic Islands without paying income tax as residents. This is according to Ana Julia Fernández, the agencia tributaria delegate on the islands, who has highlighted the renewed work carried out by tax inspectors to identify these sorts of fraudulent tax arrangements.
Four key facts about British property buyers in Spain

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham |Esme Fox

Spain faces a dilemma when it comes to its popularity among foreigners. For decades, they've boosted the Spanish service-based economy as tourists, second home owners and new residents from overseas spent big. But spiralling rents and property prices in recent years have led many Spaniards to consider whether they've become second-class citizens in their own country, outpriced by outsiders with more purchasing power.
How much should my monthly food bill in Spain be?

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Esme Fox

If you're planning on moving to Spain it's important to know how much to budget for your weekly shop, so you can have an idea of how much you have left for everything else. Or perhaps you've recently moved here and you’re finding your shopping bills are high because you’re buying lots of imported products and trying to eat and cook the same as you did back home.
Spain's self-employed told to pay 2023 social security bill

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Esme Fox

Why do I have to pay more social security when I already pay every month? In 2023, the Spanish government changed the system for autónomos or self-employed so that they would begin pay social security based on real earnings rather than a flat fee for everyone. Instead of there being a fixed rate of €294, the fee now goes down progressively to €200 a month for lower earners and progressively higher - up to €590 a month - for higher earners.
Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Alex Dunham

Spain's far-right Vox party makes big gains The latest voting poll by Spanish public research institute CIS has found that far-right party Vox has gained 3.5 points in March and now has the support of 15 percent of voters. Meanwhile the ruling Socialists (-1.9 percent) and the centre-right Popular Party (-3.1 percent) have lost support over the past month, but the party led by Feijóo are the biggest losers after falling further behind Pedro Sánchez's party and ceding voters to Santiago Abascal.
Spain crowned best country for Americans to retire to

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Esme Fox

Spain has long been a popular country for Europeans to retire to due to its great climate, relatively low cost of living, vibrant culture and strong social communities. Now a new study from Global Citizen Solutions, an investment migration consultancy firm, classes Spain as the top country for US nationals to retire to as well. The study is based on the firm’s Global Intelligence Unit’s Retirement Index which looks at factors such as living expenses, healthcare and retirement visa options.
Do I need extra documents to travel with my children to and from Spain?

1 week ago | thelocal.es | Esme Fox

Travelling with kids can be stressful at the best of times, let alone when a border official is asking you for extra documents. For those travelling to or from Spain with children, you may wonder what extra documentation you could be asked for upon arrival. Do I need extra documents to travel with my children on Spanish domestic flights?