Spanish home prices surged 9.4% in April, surpassing €2,000 per square meter, even as sales fell 10.2% for the seventh straight month. Asturias saw a 24% jump, while only Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura recorded sales growth. The government intends to tighten short-term rental rules and raise VAT on tourist apartments. The trend makes affordability tougher for anyone looking to buy or rent in Spain.
Spain takes on Austria this Thursday, July 2, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with kickoff at 9 p.m. Spanish time. The World Cup round-of-32 match will air free on La 1 and RTVE Play, as well as on DAZN Mundial. Spain reached the knockout stage after finishing the group phase with two wins and a draw. The game is set to be a major viewing event across the country.
Finance Minister Arcadi España announced a proposal to simplify the tax regime for autónomos (self-employed), aiming to cut red tape. Details of the plan are still scarce, but the minister acknowledged the complexity caused by multiple regulatory layers. A key meeting of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council (CPFF) will set budget stability targets for 2027. Self-employed workers stand to benefit if the government delivers a more straightforward system.
Workers in Spain can claim up to four days of paid climate leave each time a heatwave or other extreme weather strikes, with no limit on how often. Article 37.3.g of the Workers' Statute guarantees pay during absences caused by adverse climate conditions. If the risk persists, the leave can be extended. In some cases, employers may offer remote work as an alternative. The rule gives workers in Spain a clear right to stay home without losing income when temperatures become dangerous.
The Supreme Court is asking the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to review the government's migrant regularization process. The court suspects the royal decree may clash with the EU's 2024 Migration and Asylum Pact. The decree includes two provisions that create a general regularization regime. The Comunidad Valenciana and Aragón filed appeals that triggered the review, and the parties now have five days to weigh in. A ruling against the decree would jeopardize residency paths for many undocumented immigrants.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled a €505 million plan to integrate migrants and a new State Agency for Human Mobility. The agency will centralize resources and coordination across different levels of government. The Plan for Integration and Citizenship will channel the funding over one year to support settlement services. The initiative promises better administrative and social support for immigrants settling in Spain.
Spain could see a record 12 million extra European tourists this summer, potentially pushing total arrivals past 100 million. Security fears driven by US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the draw of an August solar eclipse are steering travelers to Spain instead of competing destinations, according to Oxford Economics. The influx will swell crowds and push up prices in popular areas, though it also means more short-term jobs in hospitality.
Starting July 1, all low-value packages under €150 entering the EU face a €3 customs processing fee per tariff category, ending the de facto exemption that favored platforms like Shein and Temu. The EU handles about 4.6 billion such shipments annually, 90% from China. Logistics firms warn the new rule could overwhelm customs and slow deliveries. Online shoppers in Spain will notice the extra cost and likely longer wait times.
Temperatures climbed above 40°C in parts of Spain on Wednesday, with six autonomous communities under active heat warnings. The Aemet weather agency forecasts highs of 36-42°C in inland valleys over the weekend. Strong winds are also expected in the Ebro valley. Health authorities recommend limiting outdoor activity, staying hydrated, and checking on vulnerable neighbors during the peak heat hours.
Drivers filling up from July 1 will face higher fuel prices, petrol station owners have warned, despite government aid designed to cushion the impact of the Iran war. The exact price increase was not specified, but the trend adds pressure on transportation budgets. For residents who rely on cars, the rise means higher monthly expenses.
The European Union hiked tariffs on imported steel to 50% and slashed duty-free quotas by 47% from July 1, 2026. The measures target overcapacity from China and India and respond to recent US tariffs. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic described the plan as balanced. Steel-dependent sectors like construction may pass higher costs on to home buyers, though the full effect will take months to appear.
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