The European Commission warned that member states cannot require more than five years of residency before granting housing and social benefits. It was responding to MEP Vicent Marzà, who cited clauses in Spanish regional agreements, such as Aragón's. The Commission said it will act against any "national priority" policy that discriminates against long-term foreign residents.
CCOO and UGT asked the government to raise Spain's minimum wage (SMI) by at least 7%, targeting 1.300 euros gross per month in 14 payments by 2027. The current SMI is 1.221 euros after a 3,1% rise in 2026. Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz intends to approve an increase before the 29 November elections, and the demand will also be among the grievances behind the 11 November general strike.
The autónomo association ATA sent parties 10 proposals ahead of the elections. It proposes a zero Social Security quota for newly registered self-employed workers during their first two years, with a third year free for under-30s, new mothers and those earning below the SMI. Autónomos billing under 85.000 euros a year could choose whether to charge VAT and file annually instead of quarterly.
The gross yield of buying a home to rent fell to 6,2% in the third quarter of 2026, down from 6,9% a year earlier, according to Idealista. Housing still yields 2,1 percentage points more than Spain's 10-year state bond. Offices remain the most profitable asset at 11,2%, followed by commercial premises at 10% and garages at 6%. Huelva leads residential yields at 7,4%.
The Supreme Court suspended voting rights for 163.020 Spaniards naturalized under the ley de nietos for the 29 November elections. They can still vote if they present a consular certificate showing that their ancestors fled the Civil War or the Franco dictatorship between 1936 and 1955 for political, ideological or sexual-orientation reasons. Many naturalized Argentinians reject the decision.
From 1 January 2027, workers need at least 38 years and six months of contributions to retire at 65; otherwise they must wait until 67. The pension calculation period expands from 25 years and four months to 25 years and eight months, discarding the four worst months. Congress is processing a law to remove early-retirement penalties for people with more than 40 years of contributions, though a similar initiative was rejected in June 2026.
Thirty juvenile northern bald ibises completed a 2.640 km human-guided migration from Germany to Spain, following an ultralight aircraft for 40 days and 19 stages. Fifteen birds stayed with Fundació Alive in Catalonia, and the other 15 reached Barbate, Cádiz, on 27 September. They remain in an aviary to acclimatize before release, marking a conservation success for the endangered species.
Felipe VI stated that "Ceuta is Spain" and urged institutional unity in managing the migrant crisis. He said those who entered irregularly must return to their places of origin "as soon as possible and through established legal channels." The remarks set the political tone on irregular migration and border policy in Spain.
Some 60% of Spaniards support the 11 November general strike, while 33% oppose it, according to an Ateneo del Dato survey for El Diario. Nearly a third of supporters are unsure whether they will take part. The strike is being called by the Sindicato de Inquilinas and backed by CCOO, UGT and CGT. Some 76% believe the government should intervene in the housing market.
A serious-risk food alert was issued after Salmonella Enteritidis in fresh Spanish eggs infected at least 13 people. The eggs were also distributed in Portugal and have been withdrawn from the market. The alert was reported to the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed on 8 October 2026 and validated by the European Commission. A check carried out on 23 September confirmed the presence of the bacterium.
Spain recorded 5.807 heat-attributable deaths this summer, the highest figure in the last decade, according to the ISCIII MoMo system. The data covers 15 May to 30 September. August recorded the most deaths, 2.162, followed by July with 2.026. Women accounted for 3.486 deaths and men 2.321. Some 97% of victims were 65 or over, and 62% over 85.
Guardia Civil associations warn that migrants are arriving in high-speed narcolanchas used by drug traffickers, especially off Murcia and Baleares. Officials say these boats can carry 60 or 70 people and make the crossing from Algeria to Murcia in three or four hours. The activity is intensifying as drug mafias diversify into people smuggling.
The toll on the AP-68 motorway linking Zaragoza and Bilbao will end on 10 November 2026 after 46 years. Stretches through Aragón, La Rioja and Navarra will become free, lowering travel costs for drivers on one of Spain's most expensive motorways. Questions remain over plans for the Alagón junction.
An indefinite strike began on Wednesday across Madrid's education sector, from infant schools to universities. Called by practically all sector organizations, including CSIF, it protests underfunding, ratios, teaching hours, salaries, a shortage of public school places and precarious working conditions. Families with children in Madrid schools and universities face disruption.
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