Chinese, Turkish and Gulf routes power Spain’s network expansion, says Cinco Días
Spain’s 2025 travel shake-up: biometric border checks, higher tourist taxes and new behaviour rules
Airlines book a record 137.6 million seats to Spain for winter 2025-26
Latest News
Spanish Senate backs creation of an Australian-style points-based visa system
Spain’s PP-dominated Senate approved a motion on 23 Oct 2025 urging the government to introduce a points-based visa system. While not law yet, the vote signals that a future PP-led administration could replace existing quotas and family-based categories with merit scoring. Employers may face new language, salary and skills hurdles, so mobility planners should watch the draft legislation closely.
Deadline passes for Spain’s ‘Grandchildren Law’ citizenship scheme
Spain stopped accepting new nationality petitions under the Grandchildren Law as of 22 Oct 2025. Some 1.5 million applications are pending, so processing will continue but no fresh cases are allowed. Firms can no longer rely on this fast track to EU citizenship and must switch to residence-based or talent-visa strategies.
Government drafts decree to widen public healthcare access for non-resident foreigners
A draft royal decree published 23 Oct 2025 would let non-resident foreigners prove ‘effective residence’ using padrón certificates, school records or even utility bills, giving them access to Spain’s public healthcare. The rule is still in consultation but could lower medical-insurance costs for short-term assignees.
Brussels threatens Spain with court action over ‘discriminatory’ second-home tax on non-residents
On 23 Oct 2025 the European Commission gave Spain two months to scrap or amend a property-tax rule that makes non-resident owners pay capital-gains tax up-front. Failure to comply could send Spain back to the EU’s top court and force large reimbursements to foreign homeowners.
Report: 400,000 immigrant-run businesses power Spain’s economy
A study released 23 Oct 2025 counts almost 400,000 self-employed foreigners in Spain, dispelling myths that migrants displace local labour. Immigrant entrepreneurs now account for 12 % of jobs, underlining the business case for streamlined visa and qualification-recognition procedures.
Foreign demand for Spanish property climbs despite tax headwinds
Notaries’ figures published 23 Oct 2025 reveal foreign buyers snapped up over 71,000 Spanish homes in H1 2025, a 2 % rise despite looming tax reforms. High demand is intensifying housing competition in Madrid and the islands, signalling higher relocation costs.