Madrid Times

Britain Nationalises British Steel to Protect Scunthorpe Production and Strategic Supply

The government has become British Steel’s sole shareholder after concluding that the loss-making company could otherwise fail, threatening thousands of jobs, essential infrastructure and Britain’s remaining capacity to manufacture primar...

Spain Begins Processing Residency Permits After Migrant Regularisation Programme

Immigration authorities have started issuing one-year residency and work permits to eligible undocumented migrants who demonstrated continuous residence before January 2026, supporting labour market integration following the closure of t...

Emerging Destinations Lead Growth in Spain's Tourism Spending

New data show that less traditional Spanish destinations are recording faster growth in visitor spending than established tourism centres, reflecting efforts to spread tourism more evenly across the country.

Spain Expects Record €64 Billion Summer Tourism Spending

The Ministry of Industry and Tourism forecasts that 43 million international visitors will travel to Spain between June and September, with total spending expected to reach a record €64 billion.

Renewable Energy Expansion Reduces Spain's Exposure to Gas Price Volatility

An independent analysis found that rapid growth in wind and solar generation has reduced Spain's dependence on natural gas, lowering household electricity costs and strengthening energy security.

Spain and Portugal Expand Cross-Border Electricity Capacity

A new electricity interconnector has increased transmission capacity between Spain and Portugal to 4,200 megawatts, improving grid resilience and supporting greater integration of renewable energy across the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain Accelerates €719 Million Artificial Intelligence Gigafactory Project

Backed by European Union funding, Spain is advancing plans for an artificial intelligence hardware manufacturing facility aimed at strengthening domestic technology production and attracting global investment.

Telefónica Completes Nationwide Edge Computing Network

Telefónica finished deploying 17 edge computing nodes across Spain, strengthening domestic cloud infrastructure and supporting secure, low-latency artificial intelligence and digital services for businesses and public institutions.

Banco Santander Named World's Best Bank by Euromoney

Euromoney recognised Banco Santander as the world's best bank, citing record profitability, successful business transformation and continued expansion across Europe and the Americas.

Government Moves to Convert Tourist and Investment Properties Into Long-Term Housing

Spain's Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda outlined plans to encourage the conversion of about 900,000 tourist rentals and investment properties into long-term homes as the country confronts a worsening housing affordability crisis.

Spain Upgrades Economic Outlook as Growth Forecast Rises to 2.4 Percent

The European Commission and major financial institutions raised Spain's growth forecast to 2.4 percent, citing resilient consumer spending, strong services exports and a robust labour market that continues to outperform much of the euroz...

Court Confirms Corruption Trial for Wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

A Spanish court upheld the decision to proceed with the graft and influence-peddling trial of Begoña Gómez, keeping political pressure on the government and intensifying opposition calls for accountability.

Spain Leads United Nations Initiative on Artificial Intelligence Protections for Children

Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation launched a proposal at the United Nations in Geneva, backed by the European Union and France, to curb the algorithmic targeting of minors and criminalise the creation of synthetic child abuse m...

European Union Court Upholds Spain's Catalan Amnesty Law

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Spain's 2024 amnesty law for Catalan independence figures is compatible with European law, allowing Spanish courts to move forward with closing long-running legal cases linked to the ...

Spain and United Kingdom Remove Gibraltar Border Fence Under Landmark Post-Brexit Agreement

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presided over the removal of the La Línea de la Concepción border fence after a European Union-United Kingdom agreement took effect, placing Schengen border controls at Gibraltar's port and airport under Span...

Cádiz Becomes Spain's First Provincial Capital Recognised as UNESCO Tsunami Ready

UNESCO has designated Cádiz as a Tsunami Ready city after extensive investments in early warning systems, evacuation planning and emergency preparedness for the Andalusian coastline.

Spain Launches €1.1 Billion Fertiliser Plan to Protect Farmers From Global Supply Disruptions

The government has activated a one billion one hundred million euro fertiliser programme aimed at shielding agricultural producers from price volatility and supply chain disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East.

European Commission Proposes Aid for Automotive Workers in Galicia

The European Commission plans to mobilise nearly three million euros to assist hundreds of dismissed automotive workers in Galicia as the sector adapts to electric vehicle production and changing supply chains.

Telum Therapeutics Raises €18 Million for Artificial Intelligence Drug Discovery

Spanish biotechnology company Telum Therapeutics secured eighteen million euros in Series A financing to advance artificial intelligence-driven research into treatments for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Spain and Saudi Arabia Deepen Security Cooperation With New Training Agreement

Spanish and Saudi officials signed a broad security training partnership that expands cooperation in intelligence and law enforcement while strengthening wider economic and strategic ties.

Spain's Tourism Workforce Surpasses Three Million as Permanent Employment Grows

Official figures show employment in Spain's tourism industry has exceeded three million workers, with the sector continuing to reduce its reliance on temporary contracts while supporting record visitor demand.

Openchip Secures $127 Million to Expand European Semiconductor Development

Openchip and Software Technologies completed a one hundred and twenty-seven million dollar funding round, one of Spain's largest technology investments this year, supporting the country's ambition to strengthen domestic semiconductor cap...

CriteriaCaixa Commits €300 Million to Deep-Tech and Biotechnology Startups

CriteriaCaixa has launched a three hundred million euro venture capital programme focused on artificial intelligence, biotechnology and other deep-technology companies, strengthening Spain's innovation ecosystem.

Spain Calls for European Union Ban on Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares urged the European Union to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, reflecting Spain's increasingly assertive position on Palestinian sovereignty and international humanitarian law.

Spain Approves New Law to Remove Parental Rights in Serious Domestic Violence Cases

The Council of Ministers approved legislation that would automatically revoke parental custody for those convicted of serious domestic violence offences while allocating more than nine hundred million euros to strengthen child protection...

Deadly Almería Wildfires Trigger National Reconstruction Effort

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged rapid government support after wildfires in Almería province killed at least thirteen people, including several British nationals, as extreme heat continues to fuel destructive fire conditions.

Spanish Housing Prices Jump Nearly Thirteen Percent as Population Reaches Record High

Spain's population has surpassed forty-nine million, contributing to a nearly thirteen percent annual increase in home prices and intensifying debate over housing affordability and the influence of institutional investors.

Spain Expects Record Summer Tourism Revenue as Visitor Spending Climbs

The government forecasts forty-three million international visitors between June and September, with tourist spending expected to reach a record sixty-four billion euros as arrivals and per-visitor expenditure continue to rise.

Spain's Prime Minister's Brother Barred From Public Office After Misconduct Conviction

A Spanish court barred the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from holding public office following a conviction linked to disputed hiring practices by a Socialist-led local council, adding to political pressure surrounding the prime...

Spain Deploys Troops to Finland as NATO Expands Its Northern Defence Presence

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed Spain will contribute military personnel to NATO's Advanced Land Forces mission in Finland, reinforcing the alliance's presence on Europe's northern flank.

Spain Dismantles Gibraltar Border Fence Under New Post-Brexit Agreement

The removal of the border fence between La Línea de la Concepción and Gibraltar marks the implementation of a new post-Brexit treaty that eases daily crossings for around fifteen thousand workers while assigning Schengen border responsib...

EU Court Upholds Catalan Amnesty Law, Clearing Path for Independence Cases to Move Forward

The European Union's highest court ruled that Spain's amnesty law covering the Catalan independence movement is compatible with EU law, allowing Spanish courts to continue implementing the measure and potentially paving the way for the r...

French National Assembly Overrides Senate to Pass Historic Assisted-Dying Legislation

A decisive lower house vote concludes years of intense national debate, establishing a legal framework for medically assisted suicide amid constitutional challenges.

Spanish Prime Minister's Wife Ordered to Stand Trial as Corruption Probes Encircle Governing Party

Judge bans Begoña Gómez from leaving the country while spreading investigations into Pedro Sánchez's inner circle weaken Spain's fragile ruling coalition.

Zelensky Faces Kyiv Protests Over Ousting of Dynamic Ukrainian Defense Minister

The sudden removal of Mykhaylo Fedorov after six months in office sparks rare wartime demonstrations and exposes a bitter public rift between the former minister and military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Thomas Tuchel Faces Fierce Backlash After Tactical Retreat Costs England World Cup Final Berth

English manager's defensive substitutions and post-match remarks ignite a national controversy following a late collapse against Argentina in the semi-final.

A Quiet Bastille Day: France Grapples with World Cup Heartbreak and Leftover Fireworks

After a devastating semi-final loss to Spain on their national holiday, French fans experience the bitter reality of digital-era football as the national team heads south for a third-place playoff.

Spanish Universities Seek More European Union Research Funding

University leaders called on the European Commission to increase support for artificial intelligence and biotechnology research, warning that lower salaries are encouraging leading scientists to pursue careers abroad.

Evangelical Communities Continue Rapid Growth in Madrid

Researchers reported a sharp increase in evangelical congregations across Madrid over the past decade, driven largely by Latin American migration and contributing to changing social and cultural dynamics.

Spain Continues to Attract Record Tourist Numbers Despite Heat and Protests

Tourism authorities reported record visitor arrivals during the early summer, indicating that extreme temperatures and anti-tourism demonstrations have not significantly reduced international demand.

San Fermín Festival Ends With 57 Injuries and Renewed Safety Debate

The Running of the Bulls festival concluded with 57 reported injuries, reviving discussion over balancing the preservation of the traditional event with stronger public safety measures.

Spain Reaches 2026 FIFA World Cup Final After Defeating France

Spain advanced to the World Cup final against Argentina after defeating France, prompting nationwide celebrations and boosting expectations for increased hospitality and tourism spending.

Spain Unveils Rail and Airport Expansion Plan

The Transport Ministry outlined major upgrades to the country's high-speed rail network and key airports to improve passenger capacity and support growing freight and tourism demand.

Spanish Logistics Firms Adjust Mediterranean Shipping Routes

Freight operators based in Valencia and Algeciras are reorganising transport routes and renegotiating contracts following higher shipping costs and uncertainty around transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Spain Increases Investment in Domestic Semiconductor Industry

The Ministry for Digital Transformation announced additional funding under its strategic semiconductor programme to attract chip manufacturers and strengthen Europe's technological resilience.