Spain's regulated gas tariff (TUR) for individual households rose by 21.5% in July compared to April, hitting consumers already facing higher living costs. The communal TUR for buildings also increased between 14.1% and 22.2%. The hike stems from rising hydrocarbon prices and the end of a temporary VAT cut introduced during the Iran conflict. The TUR applies to homes consuming up to 50,000 kWh per year, covering most residential users.
A 2022 instruction from the Ministry of Justice now allows any descendant of a Spanish emigrant to obtain nationality, not just those whose families fled during the Franco regime. The expansion, signed by Sofía Puente, covers anyone born outside Spain with a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish. The PP has criticized the move as an 'open bar' that goes against the law passed in Congress. This opens a path to citizenship for many foreign residents with Spanish ancestry.
Spain's extraordinary migrant regularization process closed with over 1.2 million applications—more than double the government's estimate of 500,000—and fierce criticism from the National Police. A report by commissioner Alfredo García Miravete accused the government of an 'absolute lack of transparency' and questioned the urgency of the measure, which Congress considered in April 2024. The government outsourced management due to a lack of defined processing competencies. The chaotic rollout has cast a shadow over immigration policy for all foreign residents.
As of July 1, all packages valued under €150 from non-EU online retailers now carry a €3 tariff, directly targeting Chinese platforms Temu and Shein. The EU receives 16 million packages daily from China, accounting for 97% of parcel imports. The new charge aims to level the playing field for EU retailers and address safety concerns. Shoppers in Spain will see higher costs on low-value goods.
The Ministry of Labour led by Yolanda Díaz has put forward a draft royal decree requiring companies to disclose salaries broken down by gender and category and to justify promotions. The measure, which does not need parliamentary approval, aims to eliminate gender pay gaps despite opposition from unions and employers. The decree comes at a time when Congress is frozen, allowing the government to legislate unilaterally. Female foreign workers in Spain would directly benefit from greater transparency and enforcement.
Spain's CNMC has raided the offices of a mortgage intermediary association as part of an investigation into suspected price-fixing and anti-competitive coordination. The probe also examines whether member companies agreed not to poach staff. This follows sanctions proceedings against Bankinter, Santander, BBVA, Unicaja, CaixaBank, and Sabadell for coordinating on fixed-rate mortgage offers. If confirmed, the actions could lead to more competitive mortgage pricing.
In 2024, 18,829 taxpayers declared annual income above €601,000, up 27.8% from the previous year and the highest figure on record. The Tax Agency reported that this group represents just 0.08% of all taxpayers. Since 2007, the number of people earning over €600,000 has grown by 78%. Most taxpayers fall in the €21,000 to €60,000 bracket, highlighting the growing concentration of wealth at the top.
Spain recorded 86 drowning deaths in June, a record high that included 45 on beaches and 18 in pools. The first half of 2026 has now seen 211 drownings. Pool fatalities in June alone set a record, and the monthly count surpassed previous years by a wide margin. With the summer season in full swing, the numbers are a blunt warning for anyone spending time near water.
Soledad Fernández has requested to leave her post as director of Spain's Tax Agency, having stayed beyond her intended departure to oversee the conclusion of the 2025 income tax campaign. The Ministry of Finance is now searching for a successor and denies any crisis, stating that Fernández completed the 2024-2027 strategic plan. The campaign was marked by a strike among tax inspectors. The change is unlikely to have immediate effects on individual taxpayers.
Spanish energy companies have sold more than 12 GW of renewable energy assets worldwide—equivalent to 12 nuclear plants—over the past five years, generating over €15 billion. The sales are part of a strategy to reduce risk, control debt, and fund grid and electrification investments. The trend has accelerated recently due to falling profitability and negative wholesale electricity prices in Spain. The sell-off could influence future electricity costs and the pace of the green transition.
The Audiencia Nacional has ruled that the tax agency must refund over €180 million to Orange for corporate taxes paid between 2017 and 2021. The decision follows the Constitutional Court's declaration that Cristóbal Montoro's corporate tax reform was unconstitutional. Only companies that had already lodged appeals can benefit, and Orange will also receive demurrage interest. It marks Orange's second large refund this year after a €62 million economic activities tax win.
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