ALICANTE NEWS

Winter solstice 2025: This Sunday is the shortest day of the year as winter starts in SpainDecember 21 is the start of astronomical winter and from that date onwards, the days will start getting longer in Spain Anyone who has been enduring Spain's recent miserable weather and dreary short days can take heart as this Sunday marks the.. 16/12/2025

Electric scooters in Spain will need mandatory civil liability cover from January 2In 2026, any riders in Spain caught without insurance will face fines of up to €1,000 For drivers, the start of the new year brings the much talked about V-16 beacons which will replace the old emergency triangles across Spain. But there&rsquo.. 16/12/2025

Spain launches €60 monthly travel pass for unlimited rail and bus journeysThe new flat-rate ticket will cover commuter trains and state buses across Spain from mid-January Spain is about to introduce a nationwide travel pass that will allow unlimited journeys on commuter trains, regional rail services and state-run buses.. 16/12/2025

Renfe offers free changes and refunds as weather alerts disrupt southeast travelPassengers travelling through Valencia, Murcia and Almería can alter or cancel tickets at no extra cost during the Aemet alert Renfe has confirmed that passengers affected by severe weather warnings in parts of southeastern Spain can change or.. 15/12/2025

Old Covid masks may not protect you as flu cases surge across SpainWhy health experts are warning that face coverings from 2020 could now be ineffective as flu levels climb As flu cases continue to rise sharply across Spain, health experts are urging people to think twice before relying on face masks left over from the.. 15/12/2025

Spain's public health leans heavily on private handsMinistry report reveals 30% of hospitals now privately run, with billions in public spending A new report from Spain's Ministry of Health lays bare a big shift in how public healthcare is delivered. Three out of every ten public hospitals are now..

Spain proposes bumping up the minimum wage in 2026The lowest salaries in Spain could increase by between 3.1% and 4.7% next year The committee of experts advising the Ministry of Labour has put forward two proposals for raising the national minimum wage (SMI) next year. The first proposal involves.. 11/12/2025

Merry Christmas 2025 and Happy New Year 2026 from Global Relocation - SpainA warm thank you to customers and a look at how Global continues to support international moves Global Relocation - Spain would like to wish all readers of Spanish News Today a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The team also sends heartfelt.. 11/12/2025

Spain's straightest road: The 23km line that never bendsThe N-301 between El Provencio and Minaya offers Spain’s longest arrow-straight drive, but its monotony hides some real safety risks   Spain has plenty of winding mountain roads and coastal bends, but one stretch in the middle of the country.. 11/12/2025

From drains to drives: Spanish scientists turn sewage into battery powerNew research in Córdoba uses wastewater sludge to make cleaner, cheaper batteries for electric cars What we usually flush away could one day help power our cars. A team at the University of Córdoba has found a way to turn municipal sewage.. 10/12/2025

New housing initiative insures landlords in Spain against non-paying tenantsThe long-awaited measure will offer homeowners in Spain more protection against rent defaults For years, landlords in Spain have watched their rights being eroded, caught between tenants who stop paying rent and squatters who move into empty properties.. 09/12/2025

EU signs off tougher migration rules despite Spanish objectionsNew return directive allows faster deportations and offshore detention centres, prompting concern from Madrid The European Union has approved a major tightening of its migration policy, clearing the way for faster deportations and the creation of detention.. 09/12/2025

Can I test my new V-16 beacon at home without alerting the emergency services?The V-26 light will replace emergency triangles across Spain from January 1, 2026 Now that January 1 is just around the corner and V-16 beacon lights will replace the old triangles as the only legal way to indicate a road emergency or breakdown, many.. 08/12/2025

Eighty per cent healthy snacks: New rules to clear junk food from hospital vending machinesMinistry of Consumer Affairs puts patients and visitors first with fresh decree for hospitals and care homes The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs is ready to crack down on vending machines in hospitals and nursing homes, mandating that at least 80.. 05/12/2025

Spain moves forward with smoking ban on bar and restaurant terracesIf passed, the law will ban smoking on all terraces and in public spaces including pools, parks and playgrounds across Spain The Spanish government has taken another step in its fight against tobacco and this one could affect millions of people across.. 05/12/2025

Flu cases swamp emergency rooms across SpainInfections have doubled in Spain, putting enormous pressure on hospitals across the country Just a few days ago the Spanish authorities warned that flu, after arriving a month early this year, has already reached epidemic levels. Now, we’re.. 05/12/2025

Spain accelerates electric car push with €400 million aid and call for affordable manufacturingNew Auto Plus programme offers direct subsidies as government targets greener, accessible mobility Spain is stepping up efforts to make electric cars more affordable and accessible, unveiling a €400 million aid package to boost their purchase under.. 04/12/2025

Cheaper electricity on the way in 2026, according to the Spanish governmentElectricity bills are expected to drop in Spain despite higher standing charges planned for next year Christmas is easily one of the most expensive times of year and 2025 is proving to be even tougher on families across Spain. With this tipped to.. 04/12/2025

Ouigo boosts Alicante tourism with 51,000 monthly visitors, driving economic growthAffordable high-speed rail connects cities and opens new travel opportunities across Spain Since April 2023, Ouigo’s high-speed rail service between Alicante and Madrid has been steadily gaining pace, now carrying an average of 51,000 tourists monthly.. 04/12/2025

Spain decides against reintroducing facemasks unless flu epidemic worsensRegional government across Spain can, however, mandate masks in healthcare settings if they deem it necessary With flu cases around the country exploding and numbers of infections shooting past last year’s figures, influenza in Spain has reached.. 04/12/2025