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 The US-born pope on Monday gave an unprecedented speech to the Spanish parliament which was welcomed with a lengthy standing ovation and applause from lawmakers, even though some of his words clashed with policies by Spain's governing left. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/pope-shares-his-views-on-euthanasia-and-abortion-in-spains-parliament Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:27:16 +0200 pope-shares-his-views-on-euthanasia-and-abortion-in-spains-parliament There are many types of residents in Spain that don't work for one reason or another, be it that they're pensioners, unemployed, or earn a passive income. Does this mean they are exempt from paying taxes in Spain? https://www.thelocal.es/20231030/do-i-have-to-pay-taxes-in-spain-if-i-dont-work Mon, 30 Oct 2023 13:08:30 +0100 do-i-have-to-pay-taxes-in-spain-if-i-dont-work After the death of two foreign hikers in Spain in recent weeks, we go over Spanish rescue workers' advice for planning a hiking trip here, from the emergency numbers to have on your phone to the gear you should carry with you. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/the-experts-tips-for-staying-safe-while-hiking-in-spains-mountains Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:49:40 +0200 the-experts-tips-for-staying-safe-while-hiking-in-spains-mountains If you’re from a country where smoke detectors are the norm or even obligatory by law, you will have no doubt noticed the lack of them in homes here in Spain. Find out the reason behind this. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/why-most-homes-in-spain-dont-have-smoke-detectors-or-fire-alarms Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:52:09 +0200 why-most-homes-in-spain-dont-have-smoke-detectors-or-fire-alarms So-called 'transplant tourism' is particularly common in Spain due to the country's shorter waiting times for a transplant and the high number of organ donations. But is this practice actually legal? https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/can-people-without-residency-in-spain-get-an-organ-transplant Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:50:32 +0200 can-people-without-residency-in-spain-get-an-organ-transplant If you get a traffic fine in Spain in the future, the amount you pay could soon be tied to your income. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/spain-mulls-traffic-fines-based-on-income Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:47:17 +0200 spain-mulls-traffic-fines-based-on-income Several associations representing victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have complained about not being invited to a meeting with Pope Leo XIV reportedly due to take place in Madrid on Monday. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/sexual-abuse-victims-in-spain-protest-not-being-invited-to-meet-pope-leo Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:49:37 +0200 sexual-abuse-victims-in-spain-protest-not-being-invited-to-meet-pope-leo EU calls on Spain to fix its child poverty problem, second fatal shooting in Barcelona neighbourhood in less than a month, Valencia to start fining some Uber drivers and more news on Monday June 8th. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/today-in-spain-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-monday-83 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:12:05 +0200 today-in-spain-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-monday-83 Over 1.2 million people filled the streets of Madrid on Sunday for a mass by Pope Leo XIV, during which he called for a renewal of the Catholic faith in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20260607/pope-to-lead-huge-madrid-mass-on-day-two-of-spain-visit Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:33:59 +0200 pope-to-lead-huge-madrid-mass-on-day-two-of-spain-visit If you've had your visa approved and you've newly arrived in Spain, you'll need to apply for your Spanish residency. As your Spanish language skills may not be up to scratch yet, you'll need some help in knowing what all the terms mean. https://www.thelocal.es/20230718/the-vocab-youll-need-when-applying-for-spanish-residency Tue, 18 Jul 2023 11:37:28 +0200 the-vocab-youll-need-when-applying-for-spanish-residency The busy summer season is almost upon us and issues have resurfaced again with EES checks, causing huge queues and missed flights in Spain and other EU countries. Some nations have agreed to suspend the checks over the summer, so what will Spain do? https://www.thelocal.es/20260602/what-will-happen-with-ees-passport-checks-this-summer-in-spain Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:54:19 +0200 what-will-happen-with-ees-passport-checks-this-summer-in-spain Leo XIV tossed away the diplomatic tact usually required of popes as he began a state visit to Spain on Saturday, revealing that his footballing loyalties lie with Real Madrid. https://www.thelocal.es/20260606/prevost-is-real-madrid-pope-enters-spanish-football-schism Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:40:03 +0200 prevost-is-real-madrid-pope-enters-spanish-football-schism In this week’s Inside Spain we look at the reasons why young Spaniards are drinking far less alcohol than their parents in a country where alcohol consumption goes hand in hand with socialising. https://www.thelocal.es/20260606/inside-spain-how-drinking-is-becoming-an-old-mans-game Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:48:46 +0200 inside-spain-how-drinking-is-becoming-an-old-mans-game Pope Leo XIV on Saturday said sexual abuse within the Catholic Church remained "an open wound" as he began a trip to Spain that will include a meeting with victims. https://www.thelocal.es/20260605/pope-leo-prepares-to-visit-a-polarised-and-secular-spain Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:21:43 +0200 pope-leo-prepares-to-visit-a-polarised-and-secular-spain The Spanish government has recently approved a new decree to reform its pharmaceutical co-payment system, meaning people will now pay according to income level. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.es/20260601/explained-spains-new-co-payment-system-for-medications Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:27:07 +0200 explained-spains-new-co-payment-system-for-medications The Spanish Tax Agency's plan to overturn a recent court ruling in favour of Colombian singer Shakira could have implications for high-earning foreigners, digital nomads, and remote workers who split their time between Spain and other countries. https://www.thelocal.es/20260603/how-shakiras-tax-battle-in-spain-could-affect-foreigners-and-the-183-day-rule Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:16:51 +0200 how-shakiras-tax-battle-in-spain-could-affect-foreigners-and-the-183-day-rule Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday distanced himself from an alleged plot to sabotage investigations into his entourage and Socialist party that has intensified pressure on a government already beset by legal woes. https://www.thelocal.es/20260605/spains-pm-denies-knowledge-of-plot-to-silence-corruption-probes Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:32:10 +0200 spains-pm-denies-knowledge-of-plot-to-silence-corruption-probes Concerns are mounting at a controversial revision of Europe's air passenger rights, as crunch talks between European Parliament and Council negotiators are expected to continue next week ahead of a June 15th deadline. https://www.thelocal.es/20260605/concerns-raised-over-air-passenger-rights-in-europe-as-crunch-talks-continue Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:20:57 +0200 concerns-raised-over-air-passenger-rights-in-europe-as-crunch-talks-continue A confluence of geopolitical and economic factors mean that the Spanish tourism sector is cutting prices as the summer season arrives. https://www.thelocal.es/20260605/hotels-drop-prices-in-spain-as-summer-demand-stalls Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:51:43 +0200 hotels-drop-prices-in-spain-as-summer-demand-stalls Eleven Schengen nations have called for further visa restrictions on Russian tourists whilst the war in Ukraine rages on, a measure directed largely at Spain given that it continues to welcome tens of thousands of visitors from Russia every year. https://www.thelocal.es/20260605/spain-welcomes-russian-tourists-amid-eu-push-for-visa-crackdown Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:49:44 +0200 spain-welcomes-russian-tourists-amid-eu-push-for-visa-crackdown