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 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 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 Many Spanish cities are full of graffiti ranging from indecipherable scribbles to artistic murals. Some are legal, others not. We break down the law on graffiti in Spain, the penalties, and what do if someone graffities your property. https://www.thelocal.es/20230217/whats-the-law-on-graffiti-in-spain Fri, 17 Feb 2023 09:23:00 +0100 whats-the-law-on-graffiti-in-spain Spain's new law to help reduce food waste came fully into force on April 3rd 2026. Here's how it'll affect you, from being able to ask for doggy bags at all restaurants to getting great supermarket deals on 'ugly' but perfectly good fruit and veg. https://www.thelocal.es/20250408/seven-key-points-from-spains-new-food-waste-law Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:53:18 +0200 seven-key-points-from-spains-new-food-waste-law Spain’s Supreme Court has ruled that kissing a person’s hand without their consent constitutes sexual assault rather than street harassment, according to a decision obtained by AFP on Monday. https://www.thelocal.es/20260331/spain-rules-non-consensual-kiss-on-hand-is-sexual-assault Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:28:28 +0200 spain-rules-non-consensual-kiss-on-hand-is-sexual-assault Spain's leftist government is often accused of being soft on foreign criminals, and the upcoming regularisation of 500,000 undocumented migrants has brought these beliefs back into the spotlight. Does Spain really allow felons from overseas to stay? https://www.thelocal.es/20260220/does-spain-deport-foreign-criminals Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:09:12 +0100 does-spain-deport-foreign-criminals With a new law coming into effect that bans the purchase of dogs, cats and ferrets in shops in Spain, they can now only be bought through registered breeders. Here's how to find one and legally buy a pet in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20241001/how-to-legally-buy-a-pet-in-spain Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:05:41 +0200 how-to-legally-buy-a-pet-in-spain Fireworks are common in Spain during the Christmas and New Year period and as part of local 'fiestas', but there are some rules and potential fines you should know about. https://www.thelocal.es/20221227/what-are-the-rules-on-fireworks-in-spain Tue, 27 Dec 2022 12:57:07 +0100 what-are-the-rules-on-fireworks-in-spain The Spanish cabinet has approved a new draft law aimed at regulating the roles of gender equality officers. https://www.thelocal.es/20251219/spain-to-regulate-who-can-be-gender-equality-officers-at-workplaces Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:05:04 +0100 spain-to-regulate-who-can-be-gender-equality-officers-at-workplaces We've all been there, out walking the streets of Spain when we feel the urge to go, but there are no public toilets to be found, so is acceptable to use the bathroom in an establishment without buying anything? https://www.thelocal.es/20251128/can-you-use-a-bar-or-restaurants-toilet-in-spain-if-youre-not-a-customer Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:19:12 +0100 can-you-use-a-bar-or-restaurants-toilet-in-spain-if-youre-not-a-customer Applying for or renewing residency in Spain can be hampered by having a criminal record, but it's not impossible. https://www.thelocal.es/20240903/can-i-move-to-spain-if-i-have-a-criminal-record Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:18:13 +0200 can-i-move-to-spain-if-i-have-a-criminal-record Whether or not you can smoke in your flat or even on the balcony depends on several different factors and can in some cases come down to the goodwill of your landlord and neighbours. https://www.thelocal.es/20240904/can-my-landlord-stop-me-from-smoking-in-my-rental-in-spain Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:43:46 +0200 can-my-landlord-stop-me-from-smoking-in-my-rental-in-spain The trial of Spain's attorney general for allegedly leaking confidential legal information against the conservative opposition wrapped up Thursday, with public prosecutors calling for his acquittal. https://www.thelocal.es/20251113/spains-top-prosecutor-denies-leaking-documents-at-trial Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:05:00 +0100 spains-top-prosecutor-denies-leaking-documents-at-trial From laws stopping 'shrinkflation' to reforms of the healthcare system, the Spanish government will struggle to pass new legislation after Catalan separatist party Junts withdrew its parliamentary support from the Socialist-led coalition. https://www.thelocal.es/20251107/catalan-separatists-block-25-new-laws-from-passing-in-spain Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:13:55 +0100 catalan-separatists-block-25-new-laws-from-passing-in-spain Towns and cities in Spain have passed some rather bizarre bylaws which prohibit activities that don’t seem that punishable, from a ban on shaking out a rug onto the street to fines for those who play dominoes outdoors. https://www.thelocal.es/20211108/spains-weirdest-laws Mon, 08 Nov 2021 11:28:11 +0100 spains-weirdest-laws Who can grant a power of attorney in Spain? What are the types of power of attorney? And how much does a power of attorney cost in here? This is what you need to know if you need to get 'poder notarial' in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20251015/how-does-power-of-attorney-work-in-spain Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:59:42 +0200 how-does-power-of-attorney-work-in-spain People film on their phones all the time, but what happens when you want to publish those clips online? Do you need consent first in Spain? Here's what Spanish law states. https://www.thelocal.es/20251014/can-you-film-in-public-in-spain-or-do-you-need-permission Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:58:58 +0200 can-you-film-in-public-in-spain-or-do-you-need-permission The Spanish cabinet has approved plans to legalise medicinal cannabis, but there are still regulatory and parliamentary hurdles to clear. https://www.thelocal.es/20251007/spain-green-lights-use-of-medical-cannabis Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:53:36 +0200 spain-green-lights-use-of-medical-cannabis A Spanish court has extended a legal saga over a young paraplegic woman's euthanasia bid, saying Friday that she could seek to end her life but backing her father's right to appeal. https://www.thelocal.es/20250920/spanish-court-extends-father-daughter-euthanasia-battle Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:08:12 +0200 spanish-court-extends-father-daughter-euthanasia-battle Many drivers in Spain wonder if having a camera in your vehicle is legal. These are some rules you need to follow if you want to do it legally and avoid fines, as well as the grey areas. https://www.thelocal.es/20231123/whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:41:43 +0100 whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain