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 EU laid out plans Thursday for strict age limits for children to access social media, games and AI assistants -- and on forcing companies to make platforms safe before minors use them. https://www.thelocal.es/20260917/explained-what-would-change-for-kids-and-social-media-under-new-eu-law Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:15:32 +0200 explained-what-would-change-for-kids-and-social-media-under-new-eu-law The European Union will ban social media for children under 13 and allow only limited, supervised access until the age of 15 under plans unveiled Wednesday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. https://www.thelocal.es/20260916/europe-has-power-to-act-eu-to-ban-social-media-for-under-13s Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:27:10 +0200 europe-has-power-to-act-eu-to-ban-social-media-for-under-13s Kids in Spain are often a reflection of Spanish society: boisterous, outdoorsy and straight-talking. But does their outgoing nature tend to veer into misbehaviour? We asked our readers what they think. https://www.thelocal.es/20260911/not-naughty-just-noisy-your-verdict-on-if-kids-in-spain-are-well-behaved Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:36:59 +0200 not-naughty-just-noisy-your-verdict-on-if-kids-in-spain-are-well-behaved Spanish women's international players will be offered free reproductive health options like IVF and egg freezing by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as a way to improve the work-life balance of female footballers. https://www.thelocal.es/20260909/spain-players-offered-egg-freezing-in-reproductive-health-deal Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:09:00 +0200 spain-players-offered-egg-freezing-in-reproductive-health-deal Spain is a fantastic country to bring up kids thanks to the weather, the safety and Spaniards' overall love of children, but that doesn't mean there aren't aspects of Spanish child-rearing that surprise foreigners. https://www.thelocal.es/20240919/the-strange-things-spanish-parents-do-raising-their-children Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:02:03 +0200 the-strange-things-spanish-parents-do-raising-their-children The latest 'aura farming' trend has taken Spain by storm in recent weeks, with thousands of excited young people filling squares to watch and take part in 'aura battles'. So what exactly is 'farmear aura'? https://www.thelocal.es/20260903/aura-farming-craze-captivates-spains-youth Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:04:12 +0200 aura-farming-craze-captivates-spains-youth Finding the right school and going through the enrolment process can be daunting, so we've put together a list of the 11 points to consider before choosing a school for your child in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20220909/11-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-school-for-your-child-in-spain Fri, 09 Sep 2022 12:36:46 +0200 11-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-school-for-your-child-in-spain Kids aged 0 to 17 return to school in Spain in the coming weeks. If you're a parent, here is all the key info for this new academic year, from class sizes to extra costs, and school meals to educational changes. https://www.thelocal.es/20260819/listed-the-changes-to-schools-in-spain-for-the-2026-2027-academic-year Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:52:58 +0200 listed-the-changes-to-schools-in-spain-for-the-2026-2027-academic-year If a child living in Spain loses one or both of their parents, they may qualify for a 'pensión de orfandad' (orphan's pension) if they meet certain requirements. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.es/20260821/what-you-need-to-know-about-orphans-pensions-in-spain Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:13:25 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-orphans-pensions-in-spain It's not long now until kids start back at school for the new academic year. Here are the important dates you need to know for your region, from start dates to Christmas and Easter holidays. https://www.thelocal.es/20260821/the-key-2026-2027-school-dates-in-each-region-of-spain Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:41:46 +0200 the-key-2026-2027-school-dates-in-each-region-of-spain If you’re an autónomo in Spain who is expecting a new baby, you may be wondering whether you can afford to take your full paternity and maternity leave off and what the rules are for returning to work early, or not taking any leave at all. https://www.thelocal.es/20260814/is-taking-parental-leave-mandatory-if-youre-self-employed-in-spain Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:16:54 +0200 is-taking-parental-leave-mandatory-if-youre-self-employed-in-spain Lawmakers in France are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to ban social media for under-15s -- one of 20 countries worldwide to have proposed or introduced such measures, with many of them in Europe. https://www.thelocal.es/20260713/eu-to-limit-childrens-access-to-social-media Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:02:47 +0200 eu-to-limit-childrens-access-to-social-media Spain's opposition leader just announced that he would implement Madrid’s new 'unborn baby' law if he becomes Prime Minister. But what is it? https://www.thelocal.es/20260706/what-is-madrids-new-unborn-baby-law-and-could-it-become-national-policy Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:51:19 +0200 what-is-madrids-new-unborn-baby-law-and-could-it-become-national-policy Spain is a popular country for assisted reproduction due to several factors, one of which is price, but how much does an IVF cycle actually cost here? https://www.thelocal.es/20251127/how-much-does-it-cost-to-do-ivf-in-spain Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:49:33 +0100 how-much-does-it-cost-to-do-ivf-in-spain A row is brewing in Catalonia over a pilot programme to deploy police officers in 13 secondary schools in the region with a track record of violence. Many teachers and parents are against the plan, but the regional government considers it necessary. https://www.thelocal.es/20260616/why-does-catalonia-want-undercover-police-in-its-schools Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:13:27 +0200 why-does-catalonia-want-undercover-police-in-its-schools This summer, Spaniards and foreign residents aged 30 and under will be able to travel around Spain and Europe for bargain prices, either by train or bus. Here's what you need to know, from who can benefit to how to register for discounts. https://www.thelocal.es/20250611/how-young-foreigners-in-spain-can-get-90-discounts-for-summer-travel Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:03:50 +0200 how-young-foreigners-in-spain-can-get-90-discounts-for-summer-travel Kids in Spain get around three months of holiday over the summer, but finding childcare options during this time can be challenging for parents, especially if they have to work. So what is available? https://www.thelocal.es/20220607/what-childcare-options-are-available-over-the-summer-in-spain Tue, 07 Jun 2022 09:35:05 +0200 what-childcare-options-are-available-over-the-summer-in-spain 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 Here's how and when in May Mother's Day is celebrated in Spain, and why it owes its roots to religion and a Valencian poet. https://www.thelocal.es/20240503/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mothers-day-in-spain Fri, 03 May 2024 13:37:58 +0200 everything-you-need-to-know-about-mothers-day-in-spain Being a young person in Spain can be difficult in the current economic climate. Thankfully there are several aid packages and benefits aimed at under-35s which are available this year. https://www.thelocal.es/20260115/listed-all-the-financial-aid-available-to-young-people-in-spain-in-2026 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:05:29 +0100 listed-all-the-financial-aid-available-to-young-people-in-spain-in-2026