Tenants who walk away in the first six months of a Spanish rental contract are considered in breach and can lose their deposit. Landlords may claim rent until the six-month term is completed and use the deposit to cover part of the debt. After six months, tenants must give 30 days' notice. The rule stems from article 11 of the Urban Leases Law (LAU).
The Euribor closed August at 2.95%, its second consecutive monthly increase. A €150,000 mortgage over 25 years with a 1-point differential will cost about €68 more per month, or €810 more per year. A €300,000 mortgage under the same conditions will rise about €135 per month and €1,620 per year. Analysts expect the ECB to raise rates again in September and possibly December.
More than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta within hours on July 30–31. The government says 90%–95% returned within two days, but thousands remain. Official counts show 5,000 migrants still in Ceuta, including 1,500 minors; police sources estimate 8,000–10,000. Two reception centers in Loma Margarita and Loma Colmenar opened last week with insufficient capacity, and social unrest is growing.
Private health insurance premiums in Spain rose 67.6% from July 2020 to July 2026, according to the INE. That is the largest increase among insurance categories; vehicle insurance rose 34.8% and death insurance 37% in the same period, while the sector average was 44.4%. Over two decades, health premiums have climbed more than 215%. Year-on-year, health insurance costs 8.9% more, above the 6.2% general inflation rate.
Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz still has a queue of reforms pending as she campaigns to lead the International Labour Organization; the vote is in November. The list includes working time registration, dismissal reform, an intern statute, bereavement leave extension and a new minimum wage (SMI) increase. The working time registration law has stalled amid employer opposition and doubts from the Economy Ministry. The legislature expires no later than July 22 next year.
Spain's diesel tax rebate rises to 20 cents per liter on September 1, up from the planned 5 cents. The increase was triggered automatically because diesel prices rose 15.7% year-on-year in July, above the 15% threshold. Gasoline, which rose 7.3% in July, keeps a 5-cent discount in September. The Economy Ministry estimates the anti-crisis measures have reduced inflation by 1 percentage point on average.
Back-to-school costs in Spain have risen 16% in two years, averaging €594 per pupil in public schools. Costs climb to €702 in concertada (state-funded private) schools and €1,752 in private schools, with an average enrollment fee of €522. Textbooks are free in public and concertada schools through regional programs. August inflation stood at 4.3%, the highest since 2023, and the household savings rate fell to 11.3%.
This summer's extreme heat cost Spain between €17 billion and €24 billion, or 1%–1.4% of GDP, according to Allianz Research and Triodos Bank. Tourism is already suffering in the warmest destinations. Spain is critically vulnerable to climate change, which affects agriculture, construction, transport and productivity.
The Economy Ministry will resume approval of the Financial Customer Defense Authority in September. A new consumer credit contracts law is expected to enter into force in November and aims to cap interest rates on consumer credit. The banking sector opposes both measures.
Some 51% of Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV) recipients combine the benefit with another form of aid, and 16% with two or more, according to AIReF. Eleonor Veiga, 62, combines IMV with a subsidy for over-52s and receives just over €700 a month. She says she previously survived on €400 a month for a year when her IMV was cancelled. The IMV, approved in May 2020, aimed to lift about 1 million people out of extreme poverty.
Social Security confirmed that pensioners will not receive a new extra payment in September 2026. A viral video confuses it with the gender gap complement, in force since February 2021. In 2026 the complement is €36.90 per month per child, effective from January 1. Pensions are paid in 14 installments: 12 monthly payments plus two extras in June and November.
Variety predicts La bola negra could receive up to five Oscar nominations, a record for Spanish cinema. The predictions include best picture and best international feature. The Spanish Film Academy will announce three preselected films on September 3 and the final pick on September 16. Competitors include El ser querido and Amarga Navidad. The film has not yet been released in Spain.
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