Madrid Times

Catalan President and Barcelona Mayor Visit Kyiv to Back Ukraine

Catalan President Salvador Illa and Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni travelled to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirm humanitarian and political support for Ukraine.

Multiverse Computing Seeks $570 Million to Develop Smaller, More Efficient AI Models

Spanish quantum computing company Multiverse Computing is seeking $570 million in new funding to accelerate development of algorithms designed to reduce the size and energy use of advanced artificial intelligence models.

European Commission Approves Spain’s Bid to Compete for AI Gigafactory

The European Commission has approved Spain’s proposal to compete for one of Europe’s first artificial intelligence gigafactories, potentially expanding the country’s role in cloud computing and semiconductor infrastructure.

Spain Mandates 80% Renewable Power for New AI Data Centres

Spain has introduced rules requiring new artificial intelligence data centres to source at least 80% of their electricity from renewable energy as the government seeks to align digital expansion with climate goals.

Volkswagen Restructuring Raises Concerns Over Future of Spanish Automotive Manufacturing

Volkswagen’s plans to cut 50,000 jobs globally and reduce its vehicle range by 2030 are creating uncertainty for Spain’s automotive sector, including operations at Seat manufacturing facilities.

Coricelli Raises Deoleo Takeover Offer to €500 Million

Italian food group Coricelli has increased its bid for Spanish olive oil producer Deoleo to €500 million as competition for control of the company intensifies.

ACS Wins €450 Million Australian Prison Infrastructure Project

Spanish construction group ACS has secured a €450 million contract to overhaul correctional facilities in Australia, expanding its international infrastructure portfolio.

Lottomatica and Cirsa Agree All-Stock Merger to Create Global Gaming Group

Italy’s Lottomatica and Spanish casino operator Cirsa have agreed an all-stock merger that will combine their operations into one of the world’s largest gaming and sports betting companies.

Santander Launches €1.8 Billion Share Buyback

Banco Santander has announced a €1.8 billion share repurchase programme as Spain’s largest bank returns excess capital to investors.

Ferrovial Wins $9 Billion US Highway Contract in Tennessee

Spanish infrastructure group Ferrovial has secured a $9 billion contract to develop and manage a 42-kilometre highway corridor in Tennessee, extending its expansion in North America.

Renfe Returns to Profit but Withdraws Two New High-Speed Trains After Cracks Found

Spanish rail operator Renfe has reported its first annual profit since 2019 but withdrew two newly delivered Avril high-speed trains after engineers identified cracks in their structural bogies.

Airbus Workers in Spain Vote for Indefinite Strike Over Pay

Unions representing Airbus employees at Spanish manufacturing sites have approved indefinite strike action over compensation, raising the risk of production delays across the European aerospace supply chain.

Spain’s Current Account Surplus Narrows to 2.3% of GDP

The Bank of Spain says the current account surplus has declined from 3% to 2.3% of gross domestic product as trade patterns normalise and some export sectors cool.

Spanish Home Sale Prices Fall Nearly 30% Below Initial Asking Levels

Housing market data show completed transactions are closing almost 29% below initial asking prices as elevated mortgage rates continue to reduce affordability, particularly for younger buyers in major cities.

Spain Promises Further Minimum Wage Increases Through 2027

The Spanish government says it will continue raising the national minimum wage through 2027 in an effort to protect lower-income workers from the effects of higher consumer prices.

Average Spanish Pension Surpasses Country’s Most Common Salary

Spain’s average social security pension has risen above the most frequently paid salary of €1,373, intensifying debate over the long-term sustainability of the pension system.

Spanish Unemployment Rises by More Than 44,000 in August

Registered unemployment in Spain increased by more than 44,000 people in August, prompting renewed political debate over the strength of the labour market.

Spanish Retail Sales Contract for First Time Since 2022 as Household Budgets Tighten

Retail trade in Spain has fallen for the first time in more than two years as high interest rates and persistent inflation weigh on discretionary consumer spending.

Spain’s Inflation Jumps to 4.3% as Energy and Services Costs Rise

Spain’s European Union-harmonised inflation rate climbed to 4.3% in August as higher energy costs and persistent services inflation reversed part of the country’s recent disinflation trend.

European Court Rules Spain’s Sentences for Catalan Parliament Protesters Were Disproportionate

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that three-year prison sentences imposed on protesters who besieged Catalonia’s parliament in 2011 amounted to a disproportionate restriction of fundamental democratic rights.

Spain’s Interior Minister Clashes With Judiciary Over Ceuta Police Information Restrictions

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has complained to Spain’s judicial council after an investigating judge ordered police to withhold operational information about the Ceuta crisis from the ministry.

Ceuta Seeks Transfer of 500 Unaccompanied Migrant Children to Mainland Spain

Ceuta’s regional government has asked Madrid for permission to transfer 500 unaccompanied migrant minors to mainland Spain, warning that local housing and social services have been overwhelmed.

Spain Approves Nearly $200 Million in Emergency Funding for Ceuta

The Spanish government has approved about $195 million in emergency funding to support Ceuta’s economy after the mass arrival of undocumented migrants severely disrupted the North African enclave.

Trump Criticises Spain Over Ceuta Migration Crisis and Defence Spending

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Spain’s handling of the Ceuta border crisis and its refusal to significantly increase defence spending, adding to diplomatic tensions between Washington and Madrid.

Spanish Opposition Leader Demands Sánchez Resign Over Alleged Morocco Border Cover-Up

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has called for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to resign, alleging the government concealed intelligence suggesting Moroccan authorities coordinated the migration influx into Ceuta.

Sánchez Accuses Russia and Israel of Fueling Ceuta Migration Crisis Through Disinformation

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says disinformation networks linked to Russia and Israel helped trigger the surge into Ceuta in retaliation for Spain’s positions on Ukraine and Gaza.

Spain Deploys Military to Ceuta After 50,000 Migrant Crossings Overwhelm Border Controls

Spain has authorised military deployments to Ceuta after an unprecedented surge of migrant crossings overwhelmed local border controls, caused fatalities and triggered a humanitarian and political crisis.

Barcelona Strengthens Position as Southern European Startup Funding Hub

Catalan authorities announced the closing of several new early-stage technology funds aimed at deep-tech, biotechnology and digital startups, adding to Barcelona’s venture-capital base.

Spain Begins AI Act Compliance Audits of Domestic Technology Companies

Spain’s national artificial intelligence regulator began phased inspections of domestic technology firms under the European Union AI Act, focusing on algorithmic transparency and data security.

Spanish Games Industry Tightens Return-to-Office Rules Amid AI Disruption

Video game studios and technology companies in Barcelona and Madrid are reversing remote-work policies as the sector contracts and artificial intelligence becomes more widely integrated into production.

Renewables Surpass Fossil Fuels in Spain’s Monthly Power Mix

Spain’s energy commission said renewable generation, led by rapid growth in solar capacity, exceeded fossil-fuel generation across the national electricity system during the month.

Spanish Farmers Seek Emergency Aid as Drought and Rising Costs Hit Production

Agricultural groups in Andalusia and Murcia called for federal support as unstable weather, shrinking irrigation allowances and higher input costs make traditional crop production increasingly difficult.

Spain Advances H2Med Hydrogen Corridor With France and Portugal

Grid operator Enagás finalised technical agreements with French and Portuguese partners to advance the H2Med pipeline, which is intended to transport green hydrogen toward industrial markets in northern Europe.

Spanish Wine Federation Forecasts 20% Drop in Production After Heatwaves

Spain’s wine industry expects national production to fall 20% this harvest as repeated heatwaves and water shortages damage vineyards across major producing regions.

Catalonia Records Temperatures of 44°C as Drought Persists

Meteorological agencies reported temperatures reaching 44°C in parts of Catalonia, worsening a prolonged drought that continues to threaten water supplies and regional industry.

Investors Expand Logistics Property Holdings Around Madrid as E-Commerce Grows

Institutional real estate funds are acquiring land around Madrid for new warehousing projects designed to serve the continued expansion of e-commerce and national supply chains.

Luxury Hotel Investment Expands Across Balearic Islands and Costa del Sol

Private equity firms and international hotel groups announced new acquisitions worth hundreds of millions of euros as investors reposition properties toward the high-end Mediterranean tourism market.

Barcelona Accelerates Restrictions on Short-Term Tourist Rentals

Barcelona authorities are moving faster to eliminate thousands of tourist accommodation licences in an effort to return more homes to the residential market and ease pressure on local rents.

Banco de España Warns Housing Affordability Is Worsening Across Major Spanish Cities

Spain’s central bank warned that property prices in Madrid, Barcelona and coastal markets are rising faster than local wages as foreign investment and limited new construction deepen affordability pressures.

Spain Tourism Revenue Forecast to Hit Record €135 Billion

Industry analysts expect Spain to generate €135 billion in tourism revenue this year as international arrivals approach 97 million and demand remains strong across hospitality and luxury travel.

Telefónica Restructures Spanish Business Around 5G, Cloud and AI Services

Telefónica announced a broad reorganisation of its domestic operations, shifting resources toward enterprise cloud services, artificial intelligence and commercial use of its 5G network.

Iberdrola Raises €1.5 Billion in Oversubscribed Green Bond Sale

Iberdrola secured €1.5 billion through a heavily oversubscribed green bond issue and plans to accelerate investment in European wind and solar projects.

Banco Santander Reaches €188 Billion in Sustainable Finance Since 2019

Santander said it has mobilised €188 billion in green and sustainable financing since 2019, reaching 85% of its end-of-decade target.

Spain Ends Final Pandemic-Era Corporate Labour Protections

The government allowed the last emergency business protections introduced during the pandemic to expire, exposing financially weak industrial companies to insolvency as the manufacturing sector restructures.

Spain’s Core Inflation Stabilises Despite Higher Energy Costs

Spanish statistical agencies reported that core inflation has steadied near target levels even as energy prices rise, easing some pressure on households.