€20 ETIAS fee hike rings alarm bells for Gran Canaria tourism lobby
OECD report shows 1.8 % drop in new permanent migrants to Spain in 2024
Formentera taps treasury surplus to cover €3.2 m bill for migrant-minor care
Latest News
Canary Islands press for larger share of €100 m fund for unaccompanied migrant minors
Spain will disburse €100 m to fund reception places for unaccompanied migrant minors, but the Canary Islands and other regions want longer-term, larger financing. With more than 4,500 minors already in Canary facilities, regional leaders warn that one-off grants are inadequate and ask for extra personnel to speed transfers inland.
Tenerife South Becomes Spain’s First Airport to Activate EU Biometric Entry/Exit System
Tenerife South Airport activated the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System on 6 November, introducing facial-scan kiosks and electronic exit records for non-resident travellers. Early operations show moderate queues, and business-travel managers are urged to review Schengen-day tracking tools ahead of nationwide roll-out.
Midnight Rescue Brings 250 Migrants Ashore on El Hierro
Salvamento Marítimo and the Guardia Civil helped 250 migrants, including 32 minors, reach La Restinga on El Hierro before dawn on 6 November. The incident highlights continuing pressure on Spain’s Atlantic migration route and the logistical strain on Canary reception facilities. Business travellers may face sporadic port disruptions, and employers with island operations should track forthcoming asylum-processing reforms.
Cantabria Files Court Challenge Against Orders to Receive Two Migrant Minors from the Canaries
Cantabria’s regional cabinet has authorised a court appeal against two national-government orders instructing the region to take in additional unaccompanied migrant minors from the Canary Islands. The challenge could shape how Royal Decree 658/2025 is applied and may influence the pace of nationwide redistribution plans.
Spanish Authorities Finalise 140 Transfer Files for Unaccompanied Minors from the Canaries to Mainland Regions
The Spanish Government’s Canary Islands Delegation has completed 140 case files authorising the relocation of unaccompanied migrant minors to mainland Spain under Royal Decree 658/2025. The move eases pressure on island shelters and channels €110 million in support funds to host regions. Employers should watch for parallel rule-changes that automatically grant work rights to former minors in training programmes.
Spanish Delegate Backs Phased Roll-Out of EU Entry/Exit System at Andorra Border
Carlos Prieto, Spain’s delegate in Catalonia, confirmed that EES biometric border checks with Andorra will start pilot operations in February 2026 and be fully live in April, with exemptions for EU and Andorran residents. The phased roll-out aims to minimise disruption and dovetails with Andorra’s tighter documentation rules for seasonal workers.