Spanish households spent an average of 39% of net income on rent in the second quarter, above the Bank of Spain's 30% cap. Palma de Mallorca led at 45%, followed by Málaga at 40%. Madrid and Alicante hit 38%, Barcelona and Segovia 34%. Eight cities exceeded 30%, including Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas at 31%. Ciudad Real and Teruel were cheapest at 19%.
The European Commission says all migrants staying illegally in Ceuta, including unaccompanied minors, should be returned to Morocco under EU law. Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert cited the EU Return Directive's requirements for assistance and a best-interest assessment before any minor is returned. Spain has said no one illegally in Ceuta will be transferred to the mainland. The government is keeping its police, Guardia Civil, and Army deployment in place until the crisis is resolved. At least 80,000 people crossed into Spanish territory from Morocco.
Spain is split in two by housing prices and the income needed to afford them, according to economist Santiago Niño Becerra. Rising prices are excluding an increasing number of potential buyers. Many citizens cannot reach the savings capacity needed to buy a home. The gap is creating deeper inequality between those who can access property and those who cannot.
Spain's consumer ministry fined car rental company Avis €1 million for charging customers to process traffic fines. Avis charged between €33.88 and €45 per fine to identify drivers, a legal obligation the company already has. The ministry classified the charges as abusive and a violation of consumer law. The fine is the maximum for a very serious infringement.
Spain's public debt reached a new all-time high of €1.763 trillion in June, up 4.2% from a year earlier. The debt-to-GDP ratio fell to 101.5% from 103.4%, driven by economic growth. State debt accounted for €1.6 trillion, or 92.2% of GDP, while Social Security debt stood at €136.178 billion, 7.8% of GDP.
Diesel prices in Aragón have climbed 23% this summer, reaching €1.831 per liter. The current price sits close to the March 21 record of €1.947. Drivers face higher costs from the Iran conflict, the end of the VAT rebate, and seasonal demand.
Two magnitude 4.8 earthquakes struck Granada and its metropolitan area within four days, one on Saturday and another on Tuesday. The latest epicenter was northwest of Gójar. Three people were slightly injured, and the Alhambra and other public spaces were evacuated. The tremors rank among the largest shallow earthquakes recorded in Granada since 1955.
Spain's goods exports reached a record €35.545 billion in June, driven by a 49.9% surge in energy exports. First-half exports rose 2% to €201.134 billion. Imports increased 15.7% to €43.232 billion in June, leaving a trade deficit of €7.686 billion.
Renfe is moving to homologate its Talgo series 106 and 107 high-speed trains for Portugal. Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced the shift after regulatory barriers delayed expansion to Paris. Spain aims to have cross-border connections ready by 2030.
Spain's Supreme Court ruled that changing sex does not retroactively annul a prior conviction for gender violence committed when the person was legally male. The court rejected an appeal against a nine-month prison sentence for gender violence and nine months for domestic violence. The crime occurred on April 20, 2022, and the sex change was registered on June 1, 2023. The ruling says the sex change has no retroactive effect on the sentence.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said he proposed transferring Cercanías commuter rail services to Madrid and Andalusia. Regional leaders Ayuso and Moreno Bonilla have complained about service but declined to take it over. The government retains exclusive control, except in Catalonia, where the Rodalies transfer is progressing.
A forest fire in Pinofranqueado, Las Hurdes, Cáceres, has forced the preventive evacuation of about 600 people from eight hamlets. Authorities activated alert level 2 of the Infocaex plan. The Military Emergency Unit has been requested to support the response.
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