Andalusia's Tax Relief Package Includes Celiac Support Measure
The regional government of Andalusia has announced a new €100 tax deduction for families with celiac members, marking the fourth fiscal relief measure introduced in less than a week. President Juanma Moreno revealed the initiative through social media on Monday, explaining that the deduction will apply to taxpayers who have celiac disease themselves, or whose spouse or descendants are...
Greenfiber's Galicia Textile Plant Faces Setback as Government Denies Grid Connection
Portuguese paper company Altri, through its joint venture Greenfiber, has announced it will challenge the Spanish government's decision to exclude its planned textile fiber plant in Palas de Rei, Lugo, from the national electrical grid planning for the next six-year period. The company claims it has not yet received official notification of the exclusion but characterizes the potential move...
Wind Turbine Maker Nordex Lands Breakthrough Spanish Deal with 20-Year Service Contract
Nordex SE has secured its first order for N175/6.X wind turbines in Spain, marking a strategic expansion in one of Europe's key renewable energy markets. The German wind turbine manufacturer will supply eight turbines to independent power producer Abei Energy for the "Avellanosa" wind park in Castile and León, representing approximately 50 megawatts of capacity. The deal represents Nordex's...
July Mortgage Activity Soars 25% Nationwide with Regional Variations
Spain's mortgage market reached its highest July level in 15 years, with 45,067 new home loans signed during the month, representing a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), this marks the thirteenth consecutive month of growth in mortgage activity and the strongest July performance since 2010. The sustained upward...
CNMV Greenlights Enhanced BBVA Offer for Banco Sabadell Acquisition
The Spanish stock market regulator, CNMV, has authorized BBVA's improved takeover offer for Banco Sabadell, marking a significant development in the acquisition attempt that began nearly eighteen months ago. The revised proposal, announced earlier this week, represents a 10% improvement over the initial offer terms. Shareholders now have until October 10 to decide whether to accept the...
Ryanair Flight Attendants Injured by Severe Turbulence on Spain-Mallorca Route
Two Ryanair flight attendants sustained injuries after their aircraft encountered severe turbulence during a flight from Vitoria on the Spanish mainland to Palma in Mallorca. The incident occurred as the crew was performing safety checks just minutes before landing, with approximately 180 passengers onboard. Emergency services were dispatched to Son Sant Joan airport to meet the aircraft...
BYD's Aggressive Spanish Expansion Challenges European Auto Giants
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is making significant inroads into Spain's automotive market, leveraging competitive pricing and rapid expansion to challenge established European and American rivals. The company's aggressive strategy is resonating with cost-conscious Spanish consumers who are increasingly opting for Chinese EVs over traditional brands.The price advantage is...
Spanish Government Pledges Autonomous Financing Reform Amid Political Tensions
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has guaranteed that a reform of Spain's autonomous community funding model will be implemented before the current legislative term concludes. Speaking at the PSC's annual 'Festa de la Rosa' event in Gavà, Barcelona, Sánchez emphasized that the renewal is long overdue after eleven years of majority PP governments. The event attracted approximately 15,000...
Low-Cost Carrier Transavia Boosts Spanish Capacity by 17% for Summer 2026
Transavia, the low-cost airline of the Air France-KLM group, will launch a new direct route between Sevilla and Marseille, France, starting March 29, 2026, as part of its summer season expansion. The new connection will operate twice weekly during the summer season, which runs through October 31, 2026, strengthening the carrier's presence in the Spanish market. Tickets for the upcoming...
Technical Glitch Forces Air Europa Boeing 787-900 to Land Twice in Asunción
An Air Europa Boeing 787-900, en route from Asunción, Paraguay, to Madrid, Spain, was forced to make two emergency landings at the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport due to a reported technical issue. The aircraft, carrying 272 passengers, initially took off at 13:15 local time but encountered problems shortly after, prompting the pilot to declare a 'PAN-PAN' emergency, signaling a...
Spain's Crackdown on Illegal Holiday Rentals: What Property Owners Need to Know
Spain has officially rolled out a new regulatory framework targeting short-term holiday rentals, a move aimed at aligning with European standards and addressing the country's housing crisis. Effective from July 1, the mandate requires all properties listed for tourism purposes, including those on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, to obtain a mandatory registration code. This initiative...
Puig Sets Sights on 8% Sales Growth by 2025 Amid Market Challenges
Puig, the Spanish beauty and fashion conglomerate, has projected a sales growth of 6% to 8% for the year 2025, maintaining its medium-term growth outlook despite a 'certain moderation' in the market, particularly in makeup and skincare. Marc Puig, the company's executive chairman, expressed confidence in the group's ability to outperform the premium beauty market, attributing this to the...
Andalusia's Investment Strategy Takes Center Stage in Madrid
Andalusia's ambitious strategy to attract foreign investment will be showcased in Madrid on May 26, as Juanma Moreno, the president of the Junta, presents the region's unique advantages and opportunities to a professional audience. The event, organized by the Consejería de Economía, Hacienda y Fondos Europeos through Andalucía Trade, aims to highlight Andalusia as a prime destination for...
Controversy Surrounds Madrid's Plan Reside as Opposition Warns of Increased Tourist Apartments
Madrid's City Council has taken a significant step towards regulating the proliferation of tourist apartments within its historic center by approving the Plan Reside. This new regulation, passed with the majority votes of the PP and the abstention of Vox, aims to address the challenges posed by the unchecked growth of tourist accommodations, which have been a source of contention among...
Barcelona International Motor Show Kicks Off with Record Chinese Presence
The 43rd edition of the Barcelona International Motor Show (Automobile Barcelona) has officially opened its doors, marking a significant moment for the automotive industry in Spain. This year's event, held at the Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc, showcases an unprecedented presence of Chinese automakers, which now account for a third of the exhibitors. The show also highlights the growing...
Hawala Method Used by Criminal Network to Launder Millions, Authorities Reveal
In a significant crackdown on international crime, Spanish National Police, in collaboration with Europol, have dismantled a powerful criminal network operating an underground banking system. The organization, which utilized the traditional hawala method for money transfers outside legal channels, was involved in supporting human trafficking and drug operations, generating profits estimated...
Strategic Agricultural Investments Highlighted in Spain's Latest Sectoral Conference
In a significant move to bolster rural development and agricultural competitiveness, the Spanish government, in collaboration with regional authorities, has approved a substantial allocation of funds. The Sectoral Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries, held in Madrid, has greenlit the distribution of 234 million euros across various programs. This funding is aimed at enhancing the...
Indra Explores Market for Defense Industry Expansion Amid Growing Demand
Indra, the Spanish defense technology company, is actively pursuing its ambitious roadmap to establish itself as a European defense giant. Under the leadership of Ángel Escribano, the company has set its sights on expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions. The latest target in its acquisition spree is Iveco Defense Vehicles, the Italian subsidiary known for supplying advanced...
Abanca Firmly Denies Interest in Merger with Banco Sabadell Amid Speculation
In a clear statement aimed at quelling market speculation, Spanish financial institution Abanca has publicly denied any interest in a corporate operation with Banco Sabadell. This comes amidst swirling rumors of a potential merger between the two entities, especially in the wake of BBVA's failed takeover attempt of Sabadell. Abanca's leadership has emphasized their commitment to sustainable...
Spain to Present UN Resolution Against Israeli Offensive in Gaza
Recent reports have revealed a significant discrepancy between the Spanish government's public statements and its actual arms trade activities with Israel. Despite claims by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that no arms sales to Israel have occurred since the onset of the Gaza offensive on October 7, 2023, the Centre Delàs de Estudios por la Paz has documented at least 134 transactions....
Catalan Parliament Approves Tourist Tax Hike Without Delay
The Catalan Parliament has validated an increase in the tourist tax without delaying its implementation, sparking a political standoff among the ruling coalition parties. The decision, primarily supported by ERC and Comuns, has led to tensions within the government, particularly between Esquerra Republicana and Comuns, over the timing of the tax's activation. Despite initial agreements to...
Strategic Growth: Consum Targets Castilla La Mancha and Andalucía for Expansion
La cooperativa Consum, a Valencian cooperative, has marked its 50th anniversary with impressive financial results for 2024, reporting profits of 108.7 million euros, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. The cooperative's turnover reached 4,707.3 million euros, up by 7.3%. Antonio Rodríguez Lázaro, Consum's general director, highlighted the year's challenges due to 'high uncertainty' but...
Banks Ordered to Refund Victims of Phishing Scams Following Landmark Supreme Court Decision
In a landmark decision, the Spanish Supreme Court has unequivocally placed the responsibility for digital fraud on banks, mandating them to reimburse affected customers immediately unless the bank can prove the customer acted with gross negligence. This ruling, dated April 9, underscores the banks' obligation to enhance their diligence and adopt better practices to detect and prevent...
TJUE Rules on Transparency and Fairness in Mortgage Opening Clauses
The European Court of Justice (TJUE) has recently issued rulings that, in principle, support the legality of contractual clauses imposing opening fees on mortgage loans. However, the court emphasized that the fairness of such clauses depends on the specific circumstances surrounding each contract, including the transparency of the information provided to the consumer.In cases...
Dalata Secures Strategic Lease for Clayton Hotel in Madrid's Valdebebas District
Dalata Hotel Group PLC, the UK and Ireland's largest independent four-star hotel operator, is set to make its mark in Spain with the announcement of its first property in Madrid. The Clayton Hotel, located in the Valdebebas district adjacent to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, represents a significant step in Dalata's European expansion strategy. The 243-bedroom hotel, expected to...
Muface Announces New Healthcare Agreement Effective May 1, Affecting Thousands of Public Workers
The Mutualidad General de Funcionarios Civiles del Estado (Muface) has confirmed that its new healthcare agreement, awarding the provision of private healthcare services to Adeslas and Asisa, will come into effect on May 1. This marks a significant shift for public workers in Spain, who must now navigate a one-month special period to choose their healthcare provider, whether staying with...
Economic Impact of Spain's Blackout: 400 Million Euros in Immediate Losses
The recent power outage in Spain has had a significant impact on the country's economy, with an immediate loss of 400 million euros in authorized purchases through payment systems, according to Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo. The blackout, which occurred last Monday, resulted in a 55% drop in transaction activities compared to a typical Monday, highlighting the vulnerability of digital...