The Valencia regional government activated emergency situation 2 on October 19 as floods hit La Safor and Marina Alta. Aemet issued a red rain warning for parts of Mallorca. Classes are suspended on Mallorca, Eivissa, and Formentera on October 19. Follow official alerts, avoid flood-prone areas, and stay out of basements and garages.
The government plans to approve the 2027 pension rise after inflation data due from November 27. First Vice-President and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo says existing law guarantees the increase. He believes a caretaker government could approve the Royal Decree-law before the end of 2026.
Retirement rule changes take effect on January 1, 2027. Retiring at 65 with a full pension will require at least 38 years and 6 months of contributions; otherwise, the standard age will be 67. Voluntary early retirement remains possible up to 24 months earlier, with pension cuts.
A Social Security Royal Decree-law planned for cabinet approval on October 20 would improve several benefits. Gender violence victims on sick leave would receive 60% of base salary through day 20 and 75% after. Parliament's standing committee would need to confirm it within a month; the government needs left-wing and PNV support.
The Constitutional Court begins considering on October 19 whether to admit the ombudsman's appeal over voting rights suspended for more than 160,000 Spaniards abroad under the Ley de Nietos. The Supreme Court's interim order remains in force. The Foreign Ministry says some consulates cannot compile all data before the November 29 election.
A decree published in the BOE (official state gazette) and awaiting parliamentary confirmation would apply 10% VAT to all tourist flats from December 1, 2026. Owners would also be able to deduct VAT on costs such as cleaning and repairs. Those deductions could limit the measure's effect on shifting homes into long-term rentals.
Spain completed 81,109 homes between July 2025 and June 2026, while 238,585 new households formed: a gap of 157,476. Only Cáceres and Soria avoided a shortfall. The supply shortage is pushing up purchase and rental prices, especially in the most populated areas.
A Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo projects 201 seats combined for PP and Vox in the November 29 election. Its most likely scenario gives PP 136 seats and Vox 65, against 117 for PSOE, Frente Amplio, and Podemos. The survey was conducted in the first half of October.
The Economy Ministry has postponed a statistic from INE (national statistics institute) that is more than a year late. Experts estimate 800,000 to 900,000 workers on permanent contracts with intermittent work are inactive but excluded from unemployment figures. Wider use of these contracts since 2021 makes the data gap more significant.
More than 3.4 million people could work from home but their employers do not allow it, according to a UGT study. They account for 16.1% of employed people, based on a 2025 survey. The union blames a culture of office attendance; more than three million people already work remotely.
PP leader and prime ministerial candidate Alberto Núñez Feijóo urged Catalonia on October 18 to deliver a large majority for a change of government. His appeal comes ahead of the November 29 general election.
ERC lead candidate and congressional spokesman Gabriel Rufián apologised for the left's failure to unite ahead of the November 29 election. In an interview broadcast on October 17, he urged disillusioned supporters to vote and said he wished Podemos and Frente Amplio had reached an agreement.
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