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New BOE decree: rent increases in Spain limited to 2 % by 2027 New BOE decree limits rent increases in Spain to 2 % by 2027. Automatic contract renewal - effects for residents on the Costa Blanca. The Spanish government is once again intervening in the rental market - with direct consequences for residents on the Costa Blanca.
VAT on energy in Spain to fall The VAT on electricity, gas and fuel in Spain is to fall to 10 %. What the measures mean for the Costa Blanca and energy prices. Update (21 March): The announced measures are now officially in force. With today's publication in the Spanish Official Gazette (BOE), the
USA-Spain - Trump threatens trade ban Trump threatens Spain with a trade ban. Figures on exports, LNG, olive oil and possible consequences for the economy and companies on the Costa Blanca. The words from Washington were unusually clear. Donald Trump publicly held out the prospect of ending trade relations with Spain completely. Spain is
Spain - Serious train accident: 39 dead after derailment near Córdoba Following the derailment of two high-speed trains at Adamuz near Córdoba, 39 people were killed and more than 150 injured. Investigations are underway. Following the serious railway accident on the Spanish mainland, the death toll has risen to 39. During the
Mazón resigns - Valencia faces a new political start in 2025 Following the resignation of Carlos Mazón, the Comunidad Valenciana is in a transitional phase. The region is characterised by disputes over succession, crisis management and possible new elections. One year after the DANA disaster, the Comunidad Valenciana is once again in the spotlight - this time politically. The resignation of regional president
Blackout in Spain - the situation is returning to normal on the Costa Blanca Blackout Spain April 2025 After the power outage on the Costa Blanca: stay calm, be well prepared On Monday, 28 April 2025, large parts of Spain, Portugal and southern France experienced one of the most massive power outages in recent years. Also on
Marina Baixa benefits from the rain, but needs prospects Between breathing a sigh of relief and waiting. With a filling level of over 50%, the region is in a better position than in 2024 - structural problems remain The recent rainfall has eased the situation, but fundamental infrastructure problems persist. Despite higher reservoir levels, the region is waiting in vain for decisive
Language choice in Alicante - majority of families opt for Spanish in the classroom Regional differences in Valencia: parent survey reveals controversial results. In the province of Alicante, the majority of families opted for Spanish as the language of instruction. Six out of ten parents favoured Castilian, which corresponds to 65.89% of the votes cast (83,569 votes).
New immigration law from May 2025 - What the reform means on the Costa Blanca Less bureaucracy, more legal certainty - Spain opens doors for foreign skilled workers. On 20 May 2025, the reformed Spanish immigration law, the new „Aliens Act“, will come into force. The innovations are aimed at reducing bureaucratic
Valencia Fitur 2025 - New tourism guide and strategic perspectives The Fitur 2025 international tourism fair in Madrid has begun and the Region of Valencia is using the stage to present its strategic vision and perspectives for the coming years. With an expanded main stand and the participation of over 300 companies, the
From 2025 - New entry permit for Brits on the Costa Blanca ETIAS and EES are changing travel - what residents and visitors need to know. From 2025, entry to the Costa Blanca will become more complicated for non-EU citizens, including British travellers, due to new EU rules. The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETIAS) and
Record year for Alicante's hotels - season extension ensures top figures Hotels in the Alicante region outperform 2023 and almost reach 2019 figures Hotels in Alicante end 2024 with impressive figures: Between January and November, they achieved an average occupancy rate of 80.68 %, an increase of 2.26%
2025 - A year of change on the Costa Blanca New rules and laws characterise everyday life - what you need to know. The new year has begun and it brings not only new opportunities, but also a number of significant changes to life on the Costa Blanca. From entry permits to
Benidorm industrial estate: an endless construction site costing millions 30 years of planning, exploding budgets and endless bureaucracy. The Benidorm industrial estate was supposed to be a milestone in urban development. Planned as the home of the first shopping centre and numerous commercial areas, however, it seems to be turning into a multi-million euro grave. Since the 1990s on the
Tourism boom: Spain reaches 3 million employees in the sector for the first time Record figures in the third quarter of 2024 reinforce the key role of tourism for the Spanish economy The Spanish tourism sector reached a historic milestone in the third quarter of 2024: with 3,019,064 employees, the industry surpassed the 3 million mark for the first time, as Turespaña reports. This corresponds to a
Travellers beware - more bureaucracy for holidays The new register for accommodation has been in force since the beginning of December - with a long list of requirements for guests and providers. Going on holiday? Yes, but with paperwork, please. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior's new traveller register came into force on 2 December. The aim: more
News on the Costa Blanca Dénia pushes ahead with smart tourism strategy Dénia City Council has convened the Interdepartmental Technical Commission (CTI) to assess progress in positioning the city as a Smart Tourism Destination (DTI). Under the leadership of Mayor Vicent Grimalt and representatives from various departments, the review of the city's
Bundestag election 2025: How Germans can vote on the Costa Blanca Important information for voters abroad - deadlines, requirements and tips for postal voting. The election for the new Bundestag will take place on 23 February 2025. Germans living on the Costa Blanca will also be able to cast their vote - and that
Devastating DANA in Valencia - A region in mourning and solidarity With over 230 confirmed fatalities and dozens missing, DANA shakes Valencia. As the clean-up work begins, political discussions are taking shape and there are important tips for travellers. The Valencia region is experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in its history. The latest
Severe DANA devastates Valencia: solidarity grows in the Marina Baixa With at least 202 fatalities, the clean-up work in Valencia is in full swing, while numerous communities in the Marina Baixa are launching relief operations. The communities of the Marina Baixa are showing unprecedented solidarity in the face of the disaster. The town halls are setting up collection centres for urgently needed relief supplies.
Worst flood disaster in decades in Valencia: numerous fatalities and massive destruction A severe DANA storm (isolated low-pressure system) has plunged the Valencia region into a disaster of unprecedented proportions, claiming 51 lives so far. Requena-Utiel, Hoya de Buñol and the Ribera Alta have been particularly affected. In l'Horta Sud, flooding was caused by
Dénia suspends new permits for tourist rentals for a year In view of the increasing conflicts between residents and tourists, Dénia city council has decided to suspend the issuing of new permits for tourist rentals in the city centre for a year. This measure, which has also been extended to the conversion of ground floors into holiday flats, is intended to
Record number of visitors over the long weekend: 325,000 tourists in Alicante - 100 million euros in turnover The long weekend in August once again confirmed the province of Alicante as a tourist centre in Spain. Over 325,000 visitors flocked to the region, resulting in a turnover of over 100 million euros. Hotels and holiday flats were
Explosive rise in rental prices on the Costa Blanca Rental prices in Benidorm and the entire province of Alicante continue to rise. According to the latest report from the Fotocasa platform, rental costs in Benidorm have more than doubled compared to ten years ago. In April 2024, rental prices were 138 %
Province of Alicante records employment growth in second quarter The province of Alicante recorded a significant increase in employment in the second quarter of the year. A total of 36,800 new jobs were created, bringing the total number of people in employment to 849,500. It is particularly noteworthy that three out of four new jobs were filled by women, according to the
Political dispute over unfinished promenade in Altea In Altea, the halt to construction work on the seafront promenade in the middle of the summer season is causing political controversy. The Partido Popular (PP) criticises the „danger“ posed by the unfinished underground rubbish containers on Calle Sant Pere, while the government stresses that completion is the responsibility of the coastal authority.
Spain triumphs in Euro 2024: jubilation on the Costa Blanca Spain has done it! With an impressive 2:1 victory over England in the final of Euro 2024, the Spanish national team has once again confirmed its place at the top of European football. The whole country cheered, including on the Costa Blanca
Calpe implements strict noise regulation for the summer: construction work limited in time Calpe City Council has once again implemented an important regulation to reduce noise during the summer period. This ordinance, which restricts the use of heavy machinery and construction equipment, aims to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a quiet summertime.
Altea drastically increases taxes for 2025: Plusvalia triples, IBI increases by 40 % Altea City Council has announced a significant increase in capital gains tax (Plusvalia) and property tax (IBI) for the coming year. This is part of a comprehensive strategic plan presented by the government team of Compromís and PSOE to improve the financial situation of the city.
Increase in tourist accommodation: municipalities suspend licences Increase in tourist accommodation: municipalities suspend licences In several municipalities of the Marina Baixa and Marina Alta, the number of tourist accommodations is steadily increasing, forcing the municipal authorities to take action. Calp, Altea, Polop and La Vila Joiosa have already reacted or are planning measures to minimise the number of tourist accommodations.
Calpe - Possible limitation of tourist accommodation to be reviewed Calpe town council has now decided to investigate the regulation of this sector in view of the sharp increase in tourist accommodation. Over 1,000 new holiday homes have been registered in the space of a year and a half, bringing the total number to 5,365. This corresponds to around a fifth
Refurbishment of the pedestrian accesses to El Torres beach in La Vila Joiosa La Vila Joiosa Town Council has started the refurbishment of the pedestrian accesses from the seafront promenade to El Torres beach. The project, which will take over a month to complete, will involve removing the existing structures on the beach and
European elections: PP maintains dominance in Alicante despite the rise of the far right The European elections in the Alicante region produced an exciting result. The Partido Popular (PP) under the leadership of Luis Barcala once again won the majority in the city of Alicante. With a 39.43% share of the vote, the PP
New taxiway for Alicante-Elche airport put out to tender Aena has put out to tender a new taxiway for Alicante-Elche airport in preparation for the planned expansion. The work, which is expected to cost 17.5 million euros, will speed up aircraft traffic from the car parks to the runway and increase the airport's efficiency. The construction period is 27 months,