Rolling airport strikes threaten Christmas travel at Madrid-Barajas and other Spanish hubs
World Travel & Tourism Council picks Madrid for new global headquarters
Feasibility study clears path for €8.5 billion Spain-Morocco rail tunnel, but World Cup deadline scrapped
Latest News
EU publishes 8th Visa-Free Compliance Report: what Spanish mobility teams must watch
The European Commission’s latest Visa Suspension Mechanism report flags compliance gaps among several visa-free partner countries. If issues persist, the EU – and by extension Spain – could re-introduce visa requirements, complicating business-travel planning. Spanish employers should audit traveller nationalities and prepare for longer lead times.
Spain’s ‘Operation Christmas’ mobilises 6,000 officers for 22.4 million holiday road journeys
Spain’s DGT expects 22.4 million holiday car trips between 19 December and 6 January and has launched a large-scale traffic-management plan that includes lane reversals, drone surveillance and lorry restrictions. Cross-border travellers and relocation shipments may face longer transit times.
EU-Mauritania border pact cuts Canary Islands arrivals 59 % and strands thousands in Nouakchott
Mauritania’s strict enforcement of a 2024 EU pact has driven a 59 % drop in boat arrivals to Spain’s Canary Islands in 2025, Reuters reports. While easing pressure on Spanish reception centres, the crackdown has stranded thousands of West African migrants in Mauritania and prompted allegations of abuse. Spanish employers could face labour-supply gaps and companies should monitor potential route shifts and humanitarian visa policy.
Spanish airports schedule 101,793 flights for holiday period—up 7.8 % on 2024
Aena forecasts 101,793 flights across its Spanish airport network during the 19 Dec–7 Jan festive window, 7.8 % more than last year. The surge signals healthy demand and expanded seat availability for business travellers but also heightens the risk of winter delays. Corporates should plan for potential disruptions and ensure travellers are prepared for biometric border checks.
Almería hosts national forum on ‘Migration in Spain: challenges and opportunities’
On 18 December, Almería’s provincial authorities convened experts to discuss Spain’s migration policies, spotlighting digital-nomad permits, seasonal-labour bottlenecks and regional pilot programmes that could speed work-authorisation processing. The event signals growing sub-national competition for foreign talent—an opportunity for companies looking beyond Spain’s largest cities.