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 main tenants' unions on Friday urged the government to pass a new law to tackle the country's housing crisis after an 87-year-old was evicted from her Madrid home, sparking nationwide protests. https://www.thelocal.es/20260926/spain-tenants-unions-urge-new-law-after-pensioner-eviction-sparks-anger Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:06:49 +0200 spain-tenants-unions-urge-new-law-after-pensioner-eviction-sparks-anger The Spanish city of Lleida on Friday approved a ban on full-face coverings in most public spaces in a rare step targeting the Muslim burqa and niqab in the country. https://www.thelocal.es/20260926/spanish-city-bans-burqa-and-niqab-in-public-spaces Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:59:02 +0200 spanish-city-bans-burqa-and-niqab-in-public-spaces With the rise in popularity of AI smart glasses, such as Meta's Ray-Bans, we look at whether or not you're legally allowed to use them to film in public in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20260921/are-smart-glasses-legal-in-spain Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:30:39 +0200 are-smart-glasses-legal-in-spain 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 12:41:43 +0100 whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain Healthcare, housing, family rights, protection of minors, freedom of expression and more - Pedro Sánchez's leftist government is looking to pass numerous bills ahead of the 2027 general election. https://www.thelocal.es/20260909/eight-key-laws-that-could-be-passed-this-political-year-in-spain Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:37:23 +0200 eight-key-laws-that-could-be-passed-this-political-year-in-spain The early bird catches the sun lounger, many British and German tourists would have us believe. But is it actually allowed to reserve a place on the beach or at the hotel pool with your towels and umbrellas in Spain? https://www.thelocal.es/20250731/what-are-the-rules-for-reserving-a-spot-at-the-beach-in-spain Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:19:58 +0200 what-are-the-rules-for-reserving-a-spot-at-the-beach-in-spain 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 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 12:43:46 +0200 can-my-landlord-stop-me-from-smoking-in-my-rental-in-spain Spain has some of Europe's strictest gun laws but there are many weapons - both legal and illegal - in the country. Here is a breakdown of the rules and reality of gun ownership in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20241007/whats-the-law-on-guns-in-spain Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:22:30 +0200 whats-the-law-on-guns-in-spain Ozempic has quickly become the world's most popular off-label weight loss drug - but can people in Spain get their hands on it without a medical prescription and if they don't have diabetes? Here's what the law says. https://www.thelocal.es/20260604/whats-the-law-on-ozempic-for-weight-loss-in-spain Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:56:22 +0200 whats-the-law-on-ozempic-for-weight-loss-in-spain Having an idea of the law in Spain and, more specifically, when crimes 'expire', will help you if you ever find yourself in legal trouble. https://www.thelocal.es/20240828/whats-the-statute-of-limitations-in-spain Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:29:59 +0200 whats-the-statute-of-limitations-in-spain A ruling by Spain's National High Court court means workers in the country will no longer miss out on 'festivos' that fall on Saturdays. https://www.thelocal.es/20260522/spain-rules-that-public-holidays-falling-on-saturdays-must-be-compensated Fri, 22 May 2026 09:38:50 +0200 spain-rules-that-public-holidays-falling-on-saturdays-must-be-compensated 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