The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the first time in three years, increasing Euribor and mortgage costs. Real estate expert Sergio Gutiérrez warns that renters will also feel the impact as rising mortgage costs push more people toward renting, boosting demand and prices.
Spain's competition authority CNMC has opened sanction proceedings against Bankinter, Santander, BBVA, Unicaja, CaixaBank and Sabadell for possible anticompetitive practices in fixed mortgage rates. The investigation targets public statements by executives that may have allowed rivals to anticipate future pricing. The inquiry could last up to 24 months.
Starting in September 2026, all Social Security notifications for temporary disability will be sent electronically via SMS or email. Workers will need to use digital identification systems like Cl@ve to access the notifications. In-person assistance at CAISS offices remains available for those with limited digital skills.
Spain's Social Security Ministry has initiated a reform to expand the CUME benefit for parents caring for children with cancer or serious illness. The changes include longer initial leave and extensions, and expand the list of covered conditions. The public consultation runs until June 25, 2026.
Spain's Public Health Commission has approved a strategy to vaccinate irregular migrants and refugees within three weeks of their arrival. Priority vaccines include MMR, polio, tetanus and diphtheria. The plan aims to improve public health coverage and reduce disease spread among the entire population.
A security breach in software used by Spanish cannabis clubs has exposed the personal data of nearly one million members, including passport images, addresses and consumption habits. The data from Cannabis Club Systems software was accessible online for a long period. An independent researcher discovered the breach.
Catalonia's parliament will allow Barcelona to raise the municipal cruise passenger surcharge from 8 to 24 euros. Combined with the regional tourist tax of 6 euros, the total per passenger will be 30 euros. The move follows a record 3.99 million cruise passengers in 2025.
The judge investigating the 2024 DANA flood in Valencia is considering calling more regional ministers as witnesses after WhatsApp messages related to the disaster were released. The flood on October 29, 2024, killed 230 people. The judge has requested additional documents from the infrastructure minister Vicente Martínez Mus.
Between January 1 and June 15, 2026, 10,701 irregular migrants entered Spain, a 36% decrease from the same period in 2025. Arrivals by sea dropped sharply, falling 48.9% to 8,115. However, arrivals by sea to the Peninsula and Balearics increased 5.4% to 4,833.
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that member states can require age verification on porn websites to protect minors, even if the site is based outside the country. The measures must be proportionate and justified. The ruling came from a French case but has EU-wide implications, potentially leading to new regulations in Spain.
Free · Every morning · 5-minute read
One short email a day — what happened in Spain and why it matters. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Join 1,000+ email subscribers · cancel anytime
