Madrid Times

Madrid Lifts Suspension on Rayo Vallecano Stadium After Safety Review

Regional authorities returned control of the Vallecas stadium to Rayo Vallecano after emergency structural checks, allowing the club to resume hosting matches at the venue.

Madrid Regional President Accuses Central Government of Undermining Formula One Grand Prix

Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso accused national ministers of trying to damage preparations for the upcoming Formula One race, escalating political tensions between the regional and central governments.

Spanish Electoral Board Reviews Court Limits on Voting Rights for Descendants of Exiles

Spain's electoral authorities are examining a Supreme Court ruling restricting automatic voting rights for newly naturalized descendants of Spanish exiles, with potential consequences for electoral rolls at Latin American consulates.

Catalonia Teachers Strike Disrupts Schools and Major Roads

Thousands of public-school teachers blocked key roads into Barcelona at the start of the academic year, disrupting education for more than 1.6 million students while demanding better conditions, smaller classes and increased funding.

More Than 45,000 Rally for Catalan Independence in Barcelona

More than 45,000 people joined La Diada independence demonstrations in Barcelona, adding pressure to political negotiations over Catalonia's fiscal autonomy.

FCC Construcción Wins Major Contract for Sydney Metro West

Spanish infrastructure group FCC Construcción secured a contract for the Sydney Metro West project in New South Wales, extending the international presence of Spain's civil-engineering sector.

Spain Allocates €468 Million to Upgrade Algeciras-Zaragoza Freight Railway

The Transport Ministry approved €468 million to modernize the freight corridor linking the Port of Algeciras with northern industrial centers and onward connections into France.

BlackRock Raises Cellnex Stake to 6.4% in €1.1 Billion Position

U.S. asset manager BlackRock increased its holding in Spanish telecom infrastructure company Cellnex to 6.4%, its largest stake since 2017 and a position valued at about €1.1 billion.

Spain Becomes Major European Destination for Central American Political Exiles

Human rights groups and immigration analysts report growing numbers of dissidents, journalists and opposition figures from Nicaragua, Venezuela and Guatemala relocating to Madrid.

Spain's Socialists Lose Two Points in Polling Amid Ceuta Migration Crisis

The Centre for Sociological Research reported a two-point decline in support for the governing Socialist Party as the Ceuta border crisis and related intelligence controversy weighed on public confidence.

Former Minister Irene Montero Accuses Morocco of Using Pegasus to Blackmail Sánchez

Former Equality Minister Irene Montero alleged that Morocco is using information obtained from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's mobile phone through Pegasus spyware, intensifying controversy over Madrid's relations with Rabat.

Macron Plans State Visit to Spain for Talks on Security, Energy and EU Defence

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Madrid at the end of September for talks with Spanish leaders on Mediterranean security, cross-border energy infrastructure and European Union defence policy.

Spain Records 58 Million International Visitors and €82 Billion in Tourism Spending

Spain welcomed 58 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up nearly 5%, while spending reached €82 billion and reinforced tourism's importance to national economic growth.

Spanish Farmers Warn Drought Could Disrupt Food Supplies and Exports

Agricultural cooperatives are seeking government assistance as prolonged water shortages in Andalusia and Catalonia threaten crop yields, increase food-price pressure and disrupt exports to northern Europe.

More Than 5,000 Excess Deaths Reported in Spain After Severe Summer Heat and Wildfires

Spanish health and environmental agencies linked more than 5,000 excess deaths to extreme summer temperatures, increasing pressure on cities to strengthen protections against worsening heat risks.

Chinese Automakers Chery and CATL Expand EV and Battery Manufacturing in Spain

Chinese automotive investment is expanding through projects including the revival of Barcelona's former Nissan plant and a lithium iron phosphate battery facility in Zaragoza, increasing Spain's role in European electric-vehicle manufact...

Open Cosmos Raises €300 Million to Expand Satellite Manufacturing in Europe

Barcelona-based aerospace company Open Cosmos secured €300 million in international funding to expand production across four European plants as demand for commercial low-Earth-orbit satellites grows.

Spain Requires New Large AI Data Centres to Match Power Use With Renewable Capacity

Draft regulations from Spain's Ecological Transition Ministry would require new computing facilities above one megawatt to match their electricity consumption with newly installed renewable generation as AI-related demand rises.

Telefónica Reopens Talks With Zegona Over Potential Vodafone Spain Acquisition

Telefónica has resumed negotiations with British investment group Zegona over a possible acquisition of Vodafone Spain, sending Zegona shares more than 4% higher and raising the prospect of further consolidation in Spain's telecom market.

Spain Pledges €13.6 Billion to Upgrade Power Grid as Renewable Output Surges

The Spanish government announced €13.6 billion in grid and battery-storage investment after strong solar generation pushed electricity prices below zero for a record 681 hours this year.

ECB and Banco de España Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points

European monetary authorities increased benchmark borrowing costs by a quarter percentage point in September, adding pressure to Spanish mortgages and corporate financing as policymakers continued efforts to contain inflation.

Spain's Economy Grows 0.7% in Second Quarter as Consumption, Investment and Tourism Hold Firm

Spanish gross domestic product expanded 0.7% in the second quarter, prompting major financial institutions to raise annual growth forecasts to 2.4% as private consumption, investment and tourism remained strong.

Spain Fails to Secure EU Sanctions Against Morocco Over Ceuta Border Breach

Madrid's effort to win European Union sanctions against Morocco has stalled, exposing divisions among member states over border security and relations with the North African kingdom.

Spanish National Court Seeks Wider Role in Investigation of Ceuta Border Crisis

Spain's National Court is seeking jurisdiction over proceedings linked to the July Ceuta border breach as judges examine whether authorities ignored intelligence warnings or failed to deploy sufficient resources during the migration surge.

Sánchez Faces Intelligence Crisis After Declassifying Ceuta Migration Files

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declassified more than 40 intelligence files showing advance warnings about an influx of 80,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, deepening tensions between the Spanish government and the National Intelligenc...

Spain Backs Andorra’s Closer Economic Integration With European Union

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares publicly supported negotiations on an association agreement between Andorra and the European Union, emphasizing Spain’s backing for closer economic integration and cross-border cooperation.

Aedifica Invests €12.5 Million in Valencia Senior Care Campus

Belgian healthcare property group Aedifica committed €12.5 million to a new senior care development in Valencia as aging demographics attract more institutional investment into Spanish healthcare real estate.

Arkéa and Catella Buy Madrid Cold-Storage Asset for €28 Million

Investment managers Arkéa and Catella acquired a cold-storage logistics property in Madrid from Árima for €28 million, reflecting increased demand for temperature-controlled supply-chain infrastructure.

Barcelona Awards Atos Contract for Municipal Digital Overhaul

Barcelona City Council selected European technology group Atos to develop a new digital service model for public employees as the city moves to modernize municipal administration.

Celltrion Says Omlyclo Biosimilar Captures 90% of Spanish Market

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion said its Omlyclo autoimmune biosimilar has secured a 90% market share in Spain, marking rapid penetration of the country’s regulated pharmaceutical market.

Spain’s ICO Provides €32 Million for More Than 300 Affordable Homes in Toledo

Spain’s Official Credit Institute approved €32 million in financing for more than 300 affordable rental homes in Toledo, targeting housing shortages beyond the country’s largest metropolitan areas.

GS Bacares Buys Nômade Madrid Hotel for €105 Million

Investment group GS Bacares acquired the Nômade Madrid hotel from Hotei for €105 million as institutional investors continue to target premium hospitality assets amid strong international tourism demand.

Spain Tourism Industry Forecasts Strong Revenue Growth as Travelers Avoid Conflict Zones

Tourism alliance Exceltur expects robust hospitality revenue growth as geopolitical instability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East redirects more international travelers toward Spanish destinations.

Spain’s Socialists Retain Polling Lead Despite Decline After Ceuta Migration Crisis

Polling from the Centre for Sociological Research showed the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party losing two points after the Ceuta crisis while maintaining a narrow lead over the conservative opposition.

Spain Defends SEAT Manufacturing as Volkswagen Reviews Operations Beyond 2030

Spanish industry officials and trade unions expressed confidence in SEAT’s long-term future as parent company Volkswagen considers restructuring options and evaluates its manufacturing presence in Spain beyond 2030.

Siemens Invests €160 Million in New Madrid Business and Innovation Campus

German industrial group Siemens announced a €160 million investment in a new business and innovation campus in Madrid, reinforcing its long-term presence in the Spanish capital.

Spanish Sea Temperatures Reach Record Summer Highs

Spain’s state port authority reported record-high sea temperatures around the country’s coastline this summer, prompting scientific warnings over mounting risks to Mediterranean marine ecosystems and the coastal tourism economy.

Spain’s Opposition Pledges Planning Reform to Unlock One Million Homes

Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo proposed sweeping urban planning changes intended to enable construction of one million homes, placing housing supply at the center of Spain’s political debate over affordability.

Spain Orders 147 Tarsis Military Drones From Indra

Spain’s Defence Ministry awarded Indra a contract for 147 Tarsis unmanned aircraft capable of flights lasting up to 10 hours at 15,000 feet, expanding surveillance capabilities while supporting domestic defense manufacturing.

Spain Grants First National Level 4 Autonomous Driving Permits to WeRide and Uber

Spanish transport regulators authorized Level 4 self-driving vehicle operations for WeRide and Uber, opening the country to more advanced commercial autonomous mobility services.

Spain Takes Direct Control of Ceuta Port Amid Heightened Border Security Pressure

The Spanish government assumed central administrative control of the strategic Mediterranean port of Ceuta as authorities seek to protect maritime infrastructure and manage continuing migration pressures on the North African enclave.

Spanish Parliament Approves Citizenship Path for Western Saharans Born Before 1977

Spanish lawmakers backed a measure granting citizenship to Saharawis born before 1977 under Spain’s colonial administration of Western Sahara, potentially straining Madrid’s sensitive diplomatic and migration relationship with Morocco.

Spain Faces Political Fallout After Intelligence Warnings Emerge Over Ceuta Border Crisis

Declassified intelligence documents showed that Spanish security agencies had warned of a coordinated border breach in Ceuta, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and adding to tensions with Morocco over migration and bord...