A Labour Ministry draft in public hearing would raise the SMI (minimum wage) by 5.3% to 1,286 euros gross a month in 14 payments, or 18,004 euros a year. The government has not agreed the figure with unions or employers. Objections close on November 16; cabinet approval could follow on November 17 or 24.
Spain's housing decree awaits parliamentary confirmation on November 12. It includes a 10% IRPF (personal income tax) rent deduction for tenants earning under 33,007 euros. Fiscal watchdog Airef puts its annual revenue cost at about 1.3 billion euros. A separate rent-extension proposal is not expected to pass.
Residents who split their 2025 income tax bill must pay the remaining 40% on November 5. Check that your direct-debit account has enough funds; those without direct debit can pay using Modelo 102 through the Tax Agency or at a bank or tax office. Late payment brings surcharges starting at 5%.
Eurozone inflation reached 4% in October, its highest since September 2023, according to Eurostat's preliminary estimate. Energy prices drove the rise, climbing 20.8% year on year, while fresh food rose 4.6%. Core inflation held at 2.5%.
Fiscal watchdog Airef forecasts primary spending growth of 5.7% through 2028, against Spain's 3.2% EU commitment. It blames inflation-response plans and other recent spending measures, and urges a fiscal strategy to meet the targets. It also raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.6%.
The European Commission has opened a preliminary legal review of Barcelona's tourist flat ban. The Catalan decree is in force, with Barcelona's 10,627 licences due to end on November 9, 2028. The review will test whether the restrictions comply with EU law.
Etxebarri in Axpe, Vizcaya, took first place at The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 ceremony in Lima, after two years in second place. Spain has four restaurants in the top 50: Etxebarri, Madrid's DiverXO in ninth, Barcelona's Enigma in 29th, and Getaria's Elkano in 33rd.
The government approved changes to Royal Decree 1052/2022 on November 3. The changes would require councils to enforce low emission zones with pollution-based vehicle restrictions and fines. They address long delays in penalties and zones without effective access limits.
Authorities have returned the bodies of 65 of the 69 people killed in the October 28 train crash at Urda, Toledo, to their families. Identification work ended on November 2. All families and the consular offices representing the 15 foreign victims have been notified.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo will also lead the Transport Ministry following Transport Minister Óscar Puente's resignation. Cuerpo will oversee the portfolio until a new government takes office after the November 29 general election.
UGT, CCOO, and other unions have called a general strike for November 11. It is the first general strike jointly called by UGT and CCOO since 2012. UGT will answer workers' questions about pay deductions and other effects through 20 Minutos on November 9.
The bill to remove early-retirement pension cuts for workers with over 40 years of contributions lapsed when parliament dissolved. It must restart in the next legislature. Social Security official Alfonso Muñoz estimates a further delay of one to two years; current pension reductions still apply.
The Bank of Spain is checking fast loans for transparency and responsible lending. A stalled draft bill would cap annual interest rates at the average consumer credit rate plus 15 percentage points for loans up to 1,500 euros, 10 points for 1,500-6,000 euros, and six points above 6,000 euros.
Spain welcomed a record 80.5 million international tourists from January to September, up 5.2%. Their spending also hit a record, at nearly 114.38 billion euros, up 8%, according to INE (national statistics institute). In September alone, 10.1 million tourists came, up 4.3%.
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