A Royal Decree-law expanding Social Security benefits took effect on October 21, though some provisions start later. It covers menopause-related leave and widows' pensions. Unmarried couples with children who are not registered partners qualify for a widow's pension after at least two years of uninterrupted cohabitation before the death.
The Supreme Court meets on October 22 to review voting rules affecting 160,000 citizens naturalised under the Ley de Nietos. Affected parties must file submissions by October 23. Restrictions remain in force after the Constitutional Court rejected an appeal as premature on October 21; the Supreme Court must still rule on the merits.
Landlords with five or more rental properties charge 7% higher rents, an EsadecPol study finds. But it attributes most accumulated rent rises to wider market pressure, rather than large landlords alone. The study uses about 790,000 housing observations from 2019 to 2023.
Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo promised on October 21 that, if elected, his government would approve three housing laws in its first 100 days. One would allow squatter evictions within 48 hours. He also promised tax deductions for tenants and owners, and one million homes. These are campaign promises.
An EU Court of Justice ruling requires banks to refund unauthorised transactions within 24 hours, even if the customer was grossly negligent. Banks must refund first and claim the money back from the customer afterwards. Sector sources say claims going back up to five years could cost Spanish banks close to €1 billion.
In force since October 21, Royal Decree-law 31/2026 raises advances for unpaid court-ordered child support from €100 to €300 per child monthly from November 1. Income ceilings are €29,914.50 for one child and €34,188 for two. Current recipients need not apply again.
The government's approved cap limits the regulated gas tariff rise to about 15%, rather than more than 45%, for about 3.1 million consumers. The unpaid difference is deferred for later repayment. The cap responds to higher energy costs after the US-Israeli offensive against Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) has offered Comuns a revised housing bill that would remove purchase limits and focus on permanent residential use in high-pressure areas. The text is not yet agreed. The changes follow a legal watchdog's warning that the earlier text violated property and inheritance rights.
Approved EU regulation 2024/1624 takes effect on July 10, 2027, setting a €10,000 ceiling on business cash payments, including linked transactions. Countries can keep lower limits, so Spain's stricter rules can remain. Private transactions between individuals acting outside a professional activity are exempt.
The Basque Government has agreed in principle to buy surface rights over 510 protected homes in San Sebastián from Blackstone subsidiary Testa for €100 million. The deal would preserve their protected status beyond November 2028, shielding tenants from market rents. Signing is expected at the end of 2026.
A Royal Decree approved on October 20 and published on October 22 provides for at least two exam sittings per subject each year. Resits should allow students to earn the full final grade where possible. The text also requires flexibility for learning difficulties, work, and personal circumstances.
A preliminary Aemet study suggests record Mediterranean temperatures may have driven an attempt at tropical cyclone formation off Catalonia on October 3 and 4. Researchers have not established whether a cyclone formed. Torrential rain occurred without the usual atmospheric trigger, such as an isolated upper-level low.
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