Madrid Times

Smart Regulation Forum Highlights Spain's Continued Energy Import Dependence

The Smart Regulation Forum said Spain's renewable electricity expansion has not eliminated its reliance on imported oil and gas, leaving the country dependent on foreign energy for most overall consumption. The report also identifies ele...

Former Catalan Leader Carles Puigdemont Challenges Amnesty Delays at European Commission

Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has lodged a complaint with the European Commission, accusing Spain's Supreme Court of delaying implementation of the country's amnesty law in relation to his embezzlement case. The dispute risk...

Spanish Government Ends Parliamentary Year with Limited Legislative Progress

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's administration concluded the parliamentary session after passing only seven laws over the past year while relying heavily on executive decrees. The slow legislative pace reflects the fragile position of the...

Banco Sabadell Posts Record First-Half Profit and Expands Shareholder Returns

Banco Sabadell reported a record first-half profit of nine hundred seventy-one million euros and announced a new three hundred thirty-one million euro share buyback. The strong financial performance strengthens the bank's position as it ...

Indra Order Backlog Surpasses Twenty Billion Euros as Defense Demand Grows

Defense and technology company Indra reported first-half revenue growth of thirty percent to three point one billion euros, supported by strong demand across its Defense and Space businesses. Its order backlog has risen above twenty bill...

Mapfre Agrees One Point Five Billion Dollar Acquisition of Safety Insurance Group

Spanish insurer Mapfre has reached an agreement to acquire Massachusetts-based Safety Insurance Group for one point five billion United States dollars in an all-cash deal. The acquisition expands the company's presence in the North Ameri...

United States Tariffs Increase Pressure on Spanish Exporters

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has imposed new import tariffs of between ten and twelve point five percent on goods from sixty countries, including Spain. The measures threaten Spanish manufacturing, agricultu...

Economists Raise Spain's Growth Forecast Despite Inflation Rebound

The General Council of Economists and Spain's Economy Ministry now expect the economy to expand between two point four and two point six percent this year, outperforming much of the European Union. Strong domestic demand and employment c...

Spanish Real Estate Investment Hits Record Twelve Billion Euros in First Half

Real estate investment in Spain climbed fifty-nine percent to a record twelve billion euros in the first half of the year, driven by major residential and commercial acquisitions in Madrid and Barcelona. The strong inflow of domestic and...

OpenAI Sued After ChatGPT Allegedly Discouraged Emergency Care Before Near-Fatal Embolism

Former Florida pastor Scott Winters says the chatbot presented personalized medical guidance with unwarranted confidence, encouraged prolonged inactivity and failed to recognize symptoms preceding a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Spain Advances Bill to Grant Citizenship to Descendants of Western Sahara

The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has moved forward with legislation that would grant Spanish citizenship to descendants of the former colony of Western Sahara, balancing a historic policy initiative with sensitive diplomati...

Spain Expects Record 100 Million International Tourists in 2026

Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said Spain is on track to welcome more than 100 million international visitors this year, with tourism revenue between June and September projected to reach €64 billion as demand remains strong.

Spanish Housing Prices Rise More Than 15% as Supply Falls Short of Demand

Residential property prices increased by an average of 15.2% from a year earlier, driven by a shortage of new housing, strong international demand along the Mediterranean coast and continued interest from expatriate buyers.

More Than 1,100 Spanish Public Construction Contracts Go Unawarded

Spain's National Construction Confederation said more than 1,100 public works contracts worth over €700 million received no bids in the first half of 2026, as rising material costs discouraged contractors from taking on infrastructure an...

Spain Issues Extreme Wildfire Warnings as Saharan Heatwave Drives Temperatures Above 45C

The State Meteorological Agency has issued severe weather alerts after a Saharan heatwave pushed temperatures beyond 45C across parts of Spain, raising the risk of major wildfires while threatening agricultural production and public health.

Spain Commits €165 Million to Expand Pumped-Storage Hydropower Capacity

The Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving has awarded €165 million in European Union recovery funding to seven pumped-storage hydropower projects in Andalusia, Catalonia and Asturias, with the aim of adding more than two gigawa...

Spanish Economy Set to Outpace the Eurozone Again in 2026

Updated forecasts show Spain's economy is on course to grow by 2.4% in 2026, supported by strong domestic consumption, record employment, sustained inward migration and healthy corporate balance sheets despite weaker growth across much o...

Three Spain Players Named in FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament

Marc Cucurella, Pedro Porro and Golden Ball winner Rodri were selected in the official FIFA 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament following Spain's championship-winning campaign.

Fossil Discovery in La Rioja Points to Previously Unknown Dinosaur Species

Palaeontologists excavating near Igea in Spain's La Rioja region uncovered fossils believed to belong to a previously unknown herbivorous dinosaur dating back around 120 million years, adding to the area's scientific significance.

Spanish Court Upholds Dismissal of Worker Found Working While on Medical Leave

A labour court ruled that an employer lawfully dismissed a worker who was filmed by a private investigator working for a competitor while receiving medical leave benefits for anxiety, establishing an important employment law precedent.

Labour Rules Clarify Employees Must Continue Working Despite Late Salary Payments

A widely discussed interpretation of Spain's labour legislation confirms that employees are generally required to continue reporting to work even when employers fail to pay wages on time.

July Rise in Killings of Women Renews Debate Over Gender Violence Protections

A sharp increase in the number of women killed by current or former partners during July has intensified calls for a review of Spain's measures to prevent gender-based violence and protect those at risk.

Government Advances Plans to Restrict Social Media Access for Minors

Spanish authorities are preparing legislation modelled on recent French measures that would tighten access to social media for underage users, citing growing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on young people's mental health.

Police Break Up Visa Fraud Network Linked to Spanish Embassy in Pakistan

Spanish authorities dismantled an international criminal network accused of charging applicants thousands of euros for fraudulent embassy visa services in Islamabad, exposing an operation tied to human trafficking and corruption.

Wildfires Force Evacuations and Confinements Across Central and Northeastern Spain

Fast-moving wildfires driven by extreme heat and drought prompted evacuations in Guadalajara province and the confinement of hundreds of residents near Barcelona as emergency services worked to contain multiple blazes.

Extreme Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Above Forty-Four Degrees Across Parts of Spain

Spain's national weather agency issued its highest heat warnings for several inland and southern regions as temperatures climbed above 44 degrees Celsius, increasing risks to public health, agriculture and electricity demand.

Spain Emerges as a European Leader in Enterprise Artificial Intelligence Readiness

A new international index ranks Spain alongside Italy as Europe's most advanced market for enterprise artificial intelligence readiness, although businesses continue to face challenges integrating AI into everyday operations.

Indra's Defence Business Doubles Revenue on Higher Military Spending

Spanish technology and defence company Indra reported a 103 percent increase in defence revenue to 973 million euros and reaffirmed its 2026 targets after strong demand linked to military modernisation programmes.

Government Faces Tight Deadline to Pass Anti-Crisis Economic Package

Spain's government has less than five days to secure parliamentary backing for its economic support decree, with negotiations continuing to win support from regional and left-wing parties before the summer recess.

Spanish Coalition Agrees to Extend Residential Rent Protections Until 2028

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's coalition government has agreed to extend mandatory residential rental contract protections through July 2028 as part of a broader emergency housing package aimed at easing pressure on tenants.

Spanish Housing Prices Continue Rapid Climb as Supply Remains Tight

National home prices rose 14.3 percent year on year in the first quarter, with Madrid and Valencia recording gains of around 19 percent as limited housing supply continued to fuel affordability pressures.

Commercial Property Investment in Spain Jumps Fifty-Six Percent

Commercial real estate investment reached 12.2 billion euros in the first half of 2026, rising 56 percent from a year earlier as international investors increased allocations to Spanish office, logistics and other defensive property assets.

Spain Moves Closer to One Hundred Million Annual International Tourists

Tourism authorities expect Spain to approach 100 million international visitors this year, while foreign travellers are projected to spend around 64 billion euros during the summer season, reinforcing tourism as a key driver of economic ...

Repsol Triples Quarterly Profit and Expands Share Buyback Programme

Repsol reported adjusted second-quarter net profit of 1.84 billion euros, supported by stronger refining margins and higher oil prices, while announcing an additional 500 million euro share buyback to increase shareholder returns.

Iberdrola Delivers Record First-Half Earnings on Renewable Energy Expansion

Iberdrola increased first-half net profit by 21.7 percent to 4.336 billion euros as continued investment in renewable energy projects and electricity grids strengthened the utility's global business.

Banco Santander Reports First-Half Profit of More Than Seven Billion Euros

Banco Santander posted net profit of 7.328 billion euros in the first six months of 2026, with higher interest margins and strong international banking operations driving earnings growth of 15 percent.

Spanish Government Raises 2026 Growth Forecast as Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers

Spain's Ministry of Economy has lifted its 2026 gross domestic product growth forecast to 2.6 percent from 2.2 percent, reflecting resilient domestic consumption and strong services exports that continue to support one of the fastest-gro...

Carlos Alcaraz Remains the Focus of Spanish Sporting Attention

Carlos Alcaraz continues to dominate Spain's sporting headlines and commercial endorsements as he prepares for the upcoming hardcourt tennis season.

Prado Museum Sets Record Attendance During Goya Exhibition

Madrid's Prado Museum recorded its highest quarterly visitor numbers after a major exhibition dedicated to Francisco Goya attracted large numbers of international cultural tourists.

Spanish Film Industry Attracts Record International Investment

Spain's film and television sector has reported record levels of foreign investment as global streaming platforms expand production across the country, boosting demand for local studios, locations and creative talent.

Ministry of Education Expands Artificial Intelligence Across Public Universities

The government has introduced a national framework to integrate generative artificial intelligence training into public university programmes from the next academic year, aiming to strengthen digital skills across the workforce.

Spain Approves Faster Work Visas for Skilled Latin American Professionals

Parliament has passed immigration reforms designed to accelerate work permits for skilled professionals from Latin America to help address labour shortages in sectors including healthcare and engineering.