https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed A cruise ship hit with a deadly hantavirus outbreak is headed for Spain's Canary Islands, where most of the nearly 150 people on board will be evacuated and flown home after weeks at sea. https://www.thelocal.es/20260509/who-chief-due-in-spains-canary-islands-to-coordinate-hantavirus-ship-evacuation Sat, 09 May 2026 08:19:50 +0200 who-chief-due-in-spains-canary-islands-to-coordinate-hantavirus-ship-evacuation Spain's Civil Guard said two of its officers were killed on Friday after their boats collided while chasing suspected drug traffickers in the Atlantic. https://www.thelocal.es/20260509/two-spanish-civil-guards-killed-in-drug-chase-crash Sat, 09 May 2026 10:33:37 +0200 two-spanish-civil-guards-killed-in-drug-chase-crash In this week’s Inside Spain, we delve further into the problem of Brits being turned away when trying to renew their residency cards before expiry, what the UK Embassy has to say about it and how Spain isn't the only country struggling with this. https://www.thelocal.es/20260509/inside-spain-what-the-uk-embassy-says-about-brits-residency-card-renewal Sat, 09 May 2026 10:19:38 +0200 inside-spain-what-the-uk-embassy-says-about-brits-residency-card-renewal The European Commission on Friday clarified rules on air passenger rights given possible fuel shortages and travel disruption amid conflict in the Middle East. https://www.thelocal.es/20260509/eu-commission-clarifies-flight-compensation-rights-amid-travel-disruption Sat, 09 May 2026 09:32:59 +0200 eu-commission-clarifies-flight-compensation-rights-amid-travel-disruption If you live in Spain, you’ll need to be fully aware of all the tax implications and make sure you adhere to the rules, otherwise you may be fined or worse. Here's how the Spanish tax agency finds out if you're not declaring properly. https://www.thelocal.es/20250515/how-does-spains-tax-agency-detect-fraud Thu, 15 May 2025 17:21:59 +0200 how-does-spains-tax-agency-detect-fraud Spanish authorities said Friday a woman had been tested for suspected hantavirus after travelling on the same flight as a Dutch woman who stayed on the MV Hondius cruise ship and later died from the virus. https://www.thelocal.es/20260508/spain-finds-suspected-hantavirus-case-in-alicante Fri, 08 May 2026 16:15:02 +0200 spain-finds-suspected-hantavirus-case-in-alicante In this latest edition of our Americans in Spain newsletter we cover positive changes for Americans wanting to apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa and Spain’s summer plans to celebrate its role in 250 years of American independence. https://www.thelocal.es/20260508/americans-in-spain-digital-nomad-visa-changes-and-celebrating-us-independence Fri, 08 May 2026 08:55:08 +0200 americans-in-spain-digital-nomad-visa-changes-and-celebrating-us-independence Spain’s Law on the Protection of Minors against Violence has undergone a reform with several key changes announced, including the fact that all children must now be heard in legal proceedings. https://www.thelocal.es/20260508/how-spain-has-changed-its-laws-to-give-children-of-all-ages-a-voice Fri, 08 May 2026 10:51:16 +0200 how-spain-has-changed-its-laws-to-give-children-of-all-ages-a-voice The swish of a flamenco skirt, the soft beat of hooves drumming on the roads and the smell of sweet sherry, these are the senses you'll experience at Jerez de la Frontera’s Feria del Caballo in May, a worthy alternative to Seville's busy April Fair. https://www.thelocal.es/20240422/flamenco-horses-and-sherry-jerezs-feria-del-caballo Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:19:14 +0200 flamenco-horses-and-sherry-jerezs-feria-del-caballo As Ceuta and Melilla are brought back into the international spotlight via a US Congress report, The Local considers how these two cities in North Africa became Spanish and why do they remain so to this day? https://www.thelocal.es/20220328/why-are-ceuta-and-melilla-spanish Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:35:45 +0200 why-are-ceuta-and-melilla-spanish Whether it be US Congressional budget reports, Israeli newspaper columns or shifting geopolitics, there are some suggesting that Spain's sovereignty claims on its two autonomous cities in North Africa could be coming under threat. https://www.thelocal.es/20260508/will-trump-threaten-spains-sovereignty-over-ceuta-and-melilla Fri, 08 May 2026 09:22:44 +0200 will-trump-threaten-spains-sovereignty-over-ceuta-and-melilla Have you applied for Spanish citizenship recently and are awaiting a response, or are you considering applying this year? Find out how long it might take to get an answer in 2026. https://www.thelocal.es/20260508/how-long-are-waiting-times-for-spanish-citizenship-in-2026 Fri, 08 May 2026 08:42:08 +0200 how-long-are-waiting-times-for-spanish-citizenship-in-2026 US President Donald Trump is withdrawing troops from Germany and has threatened to do the same in Spain. The impact of such an exit would be considerable, especially where the US military is stationed, but is it likely to ever happen? https://www.thelocal.es/20260507/what-would-be-the-impact-on-spain-if-the-us-military-left Thu, 07 May 2026 15:58:33 +0200 what-would-be-the-impact-on-spain-if-the-us-military-left An American citizen has applied for political asylum in Spain's Balearic Islands, claiming that he fears returning to the US due to his politics. https://www.thelocal.es/20260507/american-tourist-seeks-asylum-in-spain-due-to-genuine-fear-of-trump Thu, 07 May 2026 12:58:15 +0200 american-tourist-seeks-asylum-in-spain-due-to-genuine-fear-of-trump Spanish airlines Iberia, Vueling and Air Europa have all said they are maintaining their regular flight schedules with no changes to their flights or prices, despite rising fuel costs caused by the war in Iran. https://www.thelocal.es/20260507/spanish-airlines-freeze-prices-despite-jet-fuel-shortages Thu, 07 May 2026 10:29:36 +0200 spanish-airlines-freeze-prices-despite-jet-fuel-shortages The Spanish city of Lorca in Murcia has launched a campaign against unsightly objects on buildings, which includes washing being dried on balconies. https://www.thelocal.es/20260507/spanish-city-to-fine-neighbours-who-hang-laundry-on-balcony-up-to-e1500 Thu, 07 May 2026 09:49:46 +0200 spanish-city-to-fine-neighbours-who-hang-laundry-on-balcony-up-to-e1500 Spain's property prices rise by 16.9 percent year-on-year in April, labour minister calls for sick leave and holiday fund for the self-employed, and more news from Spain on Thursday 7th May. https://www.thelocal.es/20260507/today-in-spain-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-thursday-77 Thu, 07 May 2026 08:56:26 +0200 today-in-spain-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-thursday-77 A ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak will reach the Spanish island of Tenerife "within three days", with the evacuation of passengers to start from May 11th, the government said on Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.es/20260507/hantavirus-ship-passengers-to-be-evacuated-to-spains-canaries-on-may-11th Thu, 07 May 2026 08:39:39 +0200 hantavirus-ship-passengers-to-be-evacuated-to-spains-canaries-on-may-11th Three people from a cruise ship hit with a deadly outbreak of a rare hantavirus were evacuated by air ambulance Wednesday and more than 100 passengers and crew will land in Tenerife by the weekend, despite opposition from the Canary government. https://www.thelocal.es/20260506/hantavirus-ship-heads-to-spains-canaries-despite-local-opposition Wed, 06 May 2026 15:32:11 +0200 hantavirus-ship-heads-to-spains-canaries-despite-local-opposition This year, Spain is once again the world leader when it comes to the number of Blue Flag beaches. Find out which new beaches have been given this award in 2026. https://www.thelocal.es/20260506/spain-crowned-country-with-most-blue-flag-beaches-in-2026 Wed, 06 May 2026 14:45:28 +0200 spain-crowned-country-with-most-blue-flag-beaches-in-2026