Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 in their final Group H match of the 2026 World Cup on Friday, with Álex Baena scoring the only goal. The victory secures Spain’s first-place finish in the group and a spot in the round of 16. Uruguay’s defeat means elimination from the tournament.
From July 1, the EU will apply a €3 fee per product type on packages under €150 imported from outside the bloc, targeting cheap goods from platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. The charge is paid by platforms or importers but may be passed on to consumers; delivery companies are barred from collecting it at the door. The measure aims to regulate the 15 million daily packages entering the EU and combat fraud. Shoppers should expect higher checkout totals on frequent small orders.
Spain collects €52.2 billion annually from property-related taxes, the fourth highest in the OECD, yet public spending on housing reaches only €7.6 billion, or less than 1% of the budget. The imbalance contributes to a deficit of 750,000 homes and prices averaging €2,400 per square meter, back to 2008 levels. The shortage and high costs affect anyone looking to rent or buy.
A powerful earthquake in Venezuela on June 24 killed at least 235 people, including five Spanish citizens, with 119 still missing and 14 trapped under rubble. Spain has evacuated 59 citizens to the Dominican Republic, while around 200,000 Spaniards live in the affected region. The Spanish government has provided emergency numbers for consular assistance.
Gestha, the tax technicians’ union, is urging the government to replace broad tax cuts with targeted aid for vulnerable households and sectors. It also proposes mandating at least three days of telework per week in both public and private sectors to reduce energy costs. The plan includes maintaining VAT reductions only for the most affected and some fuel subsidies. If adopted, the changes could shift tax burdens and reshape work routines for many.
Spain’s CNMC competition authority and the Bank of Spain are investigating whether large banks engaged in commercial collusion or relaxed lending standards during their mortgage price war. Spanish mortgage rates are among the lowest in Europe, fueling concerns about risk-taking amid a housing access crisis. The scrutiny could lead to tighter credit conditions, affecting borrowers including foreign residents.
Sticky inflation in the eurozone and US is delaying expected interest rate cuts. Eurozone headline inflation returned to 3.2% in June, with services inflation at 3.5%, while US core PCE rose to 4.1%. High housing costs and wage pressures are keeping services inflation elevated. For consumers, this means borrowing costs, including mortgages, are likely to stay higher for longer.
Spain’s Court of Auditors has found that the government granted two new loans of €10 billion each to Social Security in 2024 and 2025, violating the Toledo Pact agreement to halt such loans after 2023. The court notes the loans are unlikely to be repaid and recommends direct budget transfers instead. The recurring deficits raise concerns about the pension system’s long-term viability for future retirees.
Volkswagen has invested €10 billion in its Spanish factories to produce a new range of affordable electric cars, including models like the Cupra Raval and VW ID. Polo, which will cost under €20,000. The investment is creating jobs in Spain while the company plans to cut 100,000 positions and close four factories in Germany. The move strengthens Spain’s automotive industry and could make electric vehicles more accessible to buyers.
Spain’s Labor Inspection has identified 31,500 temporary and fixed-discontinuous contracts that may be fraudulent, giving companies one month to regularize them or face sanctions. The crackdown is part of the first Plan de Choque against irregular hiring. Workers on these contracts could be reclassified as permanent employees, which would improve job stability for many, including foreign workers.
Driving school associations are protesting long waiting lists for driving tests and have called for the resignation of the DGT’s director, accusing the agency of mismanaging examiner resources. The DGT’s Plan PRO, which introduced Saturday exams, saw low turnout in some regions, while 1,400 driving schools have closed. Persistent delays can leave new residents struggling to obtain licenses needed for work and daily mobility.
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