Nearly 3 million regularized migrants face severe delays as police cite insufficient resources and illegal appointment trafficking, with slots selling for €100 to €2,000. Over 1,200 appointments are pending. The TIE card is essential for legal identification, work, and services. Those who need their cards should anticipate long waiting times.
Spain defeated France in the semifinal with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. The team will play for the title on Sunday, July 19, in New York—the second World Cup final appearance in its history. The historic match is a major national event that may disrupt schedules and services.
Foreign Social Security affiliates hit 3.45 million in June, growing 11.3% year-on-year—four times the overall rate. Hospitality (31.5%), agriculture (28.9%), and construction (25.9%) depend heavily on immigrant labor. Foreign workers also sign more permanent contracts than Spaniards, reflecting strong labor demand.
The Verja fence was removed at midnight, allowing people and goods to move freely between La Línea and Gibraltar for the first time in five years. Gibraltar gains partial Schengen benefits. Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez plans to visit the area. Commuters and cross-border workers will see immediate improvements in daily travel.
Transactions dropped to 56,462, with existing home sales down 7.6% and new homes down 6%. Despite the cooling market, prices continue rising at double-digit rates. The persistent affordability squeeze makes it harder to purchase property, even as sales slow.
The real cost of labor absenteeism ranges from €60 billion to €129 billion, far above the official €30 billion. The absenteeism rate hit a record 7.6% in 2025, with 1.6 million people absent daily, 80% on medical leave. Young workers aged 16-34 take more sick leave than older employees, driven by mental health, says economist Gonzalo Bernardos. Rising costs may lead to tighter sick leave rules for all workers.
The Superior Court of Justice of Murcia ruled the firing discriminatory, rejecting the company's unproven claim of a 30% performance drop. The worker receives reinstatement with back pay and €6,000 in moral damages. The decision, based on Law 15/2022, strengthens protection against dismissal during mental health leave for all employees.
Congress rejected the government's stability path, the first step toward the 2026 budget. Junts' no vote was decisive, while Podemos also opposed due to defense spending. Finance Minister Arcadi España will resubmit the plan next week. Budget uncertainty could affect taxes and public services.
Spain lost 36,911 tourist rental places through May. Valencia (-15.2%) and Alicante (-18.6%) saw the biggest declines, while Madrid and Barcelona still hold 40% of the 330,516 available spots. The Supreme Court annulled the state register, creating regulatory uncertainty that complicates short-term rental plans for hosts and guests.
The reform ends benefit incompatibilities, automatically links disability recognition to dependency degrees, and creates the 'asistente personal' figure. The state must now cover 50% of dependency costs. People with disabilities or dependent family members will gain easier access to aid and services.
The Treasury placed €2,126 million, with the 9-month yield reaching 2.630%. The 12-month yield fell to 2.523%. Higher short-term yields signal rising interest rates, which could push up mortgage costs for variable-rate loans and improve returns on savings.
Morocco unilaterally shut the borders, citing Operation Paso del Estrecho as justification. About 3.5 million people cross these borders during the three-month summer period. The closures disrupt trade and daily travel for residents of the Spanish enclaves.
Aemet has issued maximum danger warnings for Valencia and Aragon, with the east expecting 38-40°C. Storms and strong winds also threaten Valencia. Residents in affected areas should take precautions against extreme heat, which can disrupt work and daily life.
Electric vehicles now represent 13% of Chinese FDI in Spain, with the CATL-Stellantis gigafactory in Figueruelas standing out. Energy (17%) and logistics (14%) remain top sectors. This investment could create jobs and business opportunities in the automotive and green energy fields.
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