Madrid urges Spaniards to leave Iran as 30,000 nationals stranded across Middle East flight shutdown
Catalan government publishes round-the-clock helplines for citizens caught in Gulf escalation
Passport-control bottleneck leaves 89 Ryanair passengers behind in Lanzarote, raises alarms ahead of EU biometric rollout
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Draft Spain-UK-EU Treaty Moves Gibraltar Border Into Schengen, Gives Spain Veto Power
The newly published 1,000-page draft treaty would scrap Gibraltar’s fence, place Spanish police in charge of Schengen entry checks at the Rock’s airport and port, and give Madrid the right to block non-EU travellers or residency permits. Gibraltar would enter the EU customs union, removing goods checks and creating a single labour market for 15,000 daily commuters. While governments hail a “historic” win for mobility and trade, UK critics see sovereignty risks and businesses face new tax and compliance obligations.
Spain Finalises Extraordinary Regularisation for Half-Million Undocumented Migrants
Madrid will open a three-month window from April to June to grant temporary residence and work permits to about 500,000 undocumented migrants. Applicants need five months’ proof of stay and a clean record. Catalonia expects up to 150,000 cases and is hiring extra staff. Employers gain a legal channel to regularise informal workers, but immigration offices fear backlogs.
Mallorca Travel Industry Warns of Summer Chaos as EU Entry/Exit System Roll-out Falters
Balearic travel agents say winter tests of the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System produced hour-long waits at Palma airport, raising fears of three-hour queues when millions of UK and long-haul visitors arrive this summer. Industry groups are calling for more National Police officers and a back-up manual-stamp option. Businesses dependent on punctual tourist flows face potential knock-on delays to baggage, transfers and flight rotations.
Passport-Control Bottleneck Strands 89 Ryanair Passengers in Lanzarote
Severe queues at Lanzarote’s non-Schengen passport control caused a Ryanair flight to leave without 89 ticketed passengers. The incident highlights chronic staffing shortages and raises fresh concerns about Spain’s readiness for the EU’s imminent biometric Entry/Exit System. Companies sending staff via Canary Island airports should allow extra buffer time and review duty-of-care procedures.
UK, Spain Confirm April Signing Date for Gibraltar Free-Movement Deal
Officials in London and Madrid confirmed that the long-negotiated Gibraltar mobility treaty will be signed next month and applied from 10 April 2026. The deal eliminates passport checks at the land border, integrates Gibraltar into Schengen and sets a tight compliance clock for firms employing cross-border staff.
Spanish Right Blocks Proposal to Limit Property Purchases by Non-Resident Foreigners in Balearics
Balearic lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have temporarily banned non-resident foreigners from buying homes in overheated housing markets. Expat and corporate buyers retain access to property, but the debate highlights mounting political pressure to curb foreign demand in Spain’s tourism hubs.