Spain's housing deficit tops 800,000 as construction lags
Spain's housing shortfall will exceed 800,000 homes, BBVA Research projects, as new household creation outpaces building for the sixth straight year. Builders are expected to start 153,000 units in 2026 and 170,000 in 2027, while households will form at rates of 223,000 and 217,000, respectively, widening the gap. Home purchases are forecast to drop 7.3% this year after a 4.8% rise in 2025. The Bank of Spain had pegged the deficit at 700,000 for 2025.
Spain to mandate algorithm transparency for all workplaces
The Labor Ministry is expanding the Rider Law to require all companies using algorithms or artificial intelligence to guarantee the same labor rights as delivery platform workers. A bill transposing the EU platform work directive will be tabled before the December 2, 2026 deadline, with a public consultation open in early August. The move extends algorithmic accountability beyond food delivery to any sector where software manages schedules, tasks, or performance. Talks with unions and employers will follow the consultation.
Ceuta crisis: 60,000 cross the border, government fires reporting official
More than 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, in what Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the biggest attack on Spain's territorial integrity in its democratic history. The government has exonerated Morocco and dismissed the official who first reported the influx, while Defense Minister Margarita Robles has not clarified whether intelligence services gave advance warning. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares linked the events to a Supreme Court ban on hot returns for migrants swimming into Spanish territory. Meanwhile, Ceuta's administration says 862 unaccompanied migrant minors are now housed in the city — 2,872% over the official capacity of 29 places — and the CETI migrant center is at full capacity with 600 occupants.
Five ways to pay Social Security while unemployed
Labor and tax adviser Sergio Sánchez outlines five legal tools for continuing to make Social Security contributions while unemployed. The most common is a voluntary special agreement, which lets a worker choose a contribution base and pay the corresponding monthly fee. Those over 52 may qualify for a subsidy that pays €480 a month while they contribute on a base of €1,653, provided they have at least 15 years of contributions and six years registered as unemployed. The options protect future pension rights for anyone who exhausts benefits and has no income.
Spain's July heat deaths reach 2,026, nearly double 2025
Spain recorded 2,026 deaths attributable to high temperatures in July, 91% more than the 1,060 estimated in July 2025, according to the MoMo monitoring system. The figure is the second-highest for July since records began in 2015, behind only the 2,217 deaths in July 2022. Most victims were women (1,208) and people over 65 (1,944), with Catalonia, Andalusia, Valencia and the Basque Country hardest hit. Since the 2026 heat plan began, MoMo estimates 3,158 heat-related deaths across May, June and July.
West Nile virus: 16 cases in Seville province, two hospitalized
Andalusia has confirmed five new human cases of West Nile virus in Seville province, raising the seasonal total to 16. Two patients, from Bollullos de la Mitación and Dos Hermanas, are hospitalized with meningoencephalitis, while others in Villamanrique de la Condesa, Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río have mild symptoms. Microbiologist Raúl Rivas says the virus is now endemic in the Guadalquivir basin and the Ebro delta, with two distinct lineages circulating. The regional health department recommends preventing mosquito bites in affected areas.
Mortgage lending pushes Spanish household debt up 4.1%
Spanish household debt rose 4.1% in June from a year earlier to €527,669 million, driven by mortgage credit, Bank of Spain data shows. Housing loans accounted for about 73% of the total, a sign that buyers must borrow more to purchase homes as prices climb. The increase adds €21,002 million to household obligations compared with the same month last year.
Spain sees 46.6M tourists in first half, spending up 7%
International tourist arrivals rose 4.6% in January–June to 46.56 million, with spending climbing 7% to €63.84 billion, according to industry figures. The UK was the top source market with more than 9.3 million visitors, followed by Germany (5.7 million) and France (5.6 million). The average tourist spent €1,393 per trip, and the most common length of stay was four to seven nights. The surge in visitors supports jobs but adds to housing and price pressures in popular cities.
Ibex 35 closes at an all-time high near 20,000 points
Spain's Ibex 35 index rose 1.01% to 19,982 points, an all-time closing high, as oil prices eased on hopes of US-Iran talks. The index has gained 15.45% so far in 2026. Brent crude fell below $84 a barrel after President Donald Trump said talks with Iran would resume, though Iran denied this. The rally boosted Spanish equities across the board.
Wildfires burn 219,665 hectares in Spain, 47% of the EU total
Spain has recorded 219,665 hectares burned by wildfires up to July 29, accounting for 47.2% of all land burned in the European Union this year, according to EFFIS/Copernicus data. The EU total stands at 464,781 hectares. The fires have affected air quality and prompted evacuations in several regions.
