REGION OF VALENCIA

Mercadona trials new checkout rule that means fully emptying your trolleySome stores are testing a system that could change how you pack away your shopping at the till If you shop at Mercadona, in Spain, you might notice something different at the checkout before too long. The supermarket chain is quietly trialling a new payment.. 24/09/2026

Covid cases jump 125% in just one week across the Valencian CommunityThe rise in coronavirus cases has so far not resulted in a significant increase in hospital admissions Data from the Valencian Community's Surveillance System for Acute Respiratory Infections (SiVIRA) shows that Covid incidence reached 117.2 cases.. 24/09/2026

Heat linked to 586 deaths across Valencia region this summerAlicante recorded 279 of the estimated deaths as the region endured three heatwaves and a record number of exceptionally warm nights Summer may officially be over, but with temperatures still heading for 36°C, it certainly doesn't feel.. 24/09/2026

Turning 65 without a full work record? You may still be entitled to a pensionThe non-contributory pension offers a guaranteed income and free healthcare to those who never built up enough Social Security contributions Not everyone reaches retirement age in Spain with the fifteen years of contributions the general Social Security.. 23/09/2026

Flights to Spain could cost £150 more by 2050 under new UK climate proposalsThe Climate Change Committee says airlines must pay to clean up their emissions if Heathrow expands, and passengers will likely foot the bill If you fly regularly between Spain and the UK to visit family or friends, a new report from Britain's official.. 22/09/2026

Torrevieja Greenway set for huge €77,000 repair projectPlans will cover the full 6.7km route with work aimed at making it safer and more comfortable for walkers and cyclists Torrevieja’s popular Greenway is set for a major overhaul after the City Council awarded a €77,129 contract to draw up.. 22/09/2026

The EU is capping cash payments at €10,000 from 2027, but Spain already has stricter rules in placeWhat the new regulation means in practice depends on whether you're a resident, a non-resident or running a business Cash is quietly becoming more complicated across Europe and if you live in Spain or spend significant time here, it's worth.. 22/09/2026

Rising diesel prices in Spain could soon push up your grocery billEconomists in Spain warn the surge in agricultural diesel prices could feed through to food prices within months Fuel prices have surged in recent weeks amid renewed conflict in the Middle East and experts warn the increase will not stay confined.. 22/09/2026

Flu and Covid both on the rise again across SpainFlu positivity has doubled in Spain compared to last year while Covid infections are shooting up among infants under one Flu cases exploded across Spain right before Christmas last year, then largely faded from the headlines as spring took hold. Now.. 22/09/2026

New rules mean your work contract has to tell you a lot more from next monthRoyal Decree 723/2026 comes into force on October 5 and expands what employers must put in writing If you're employed in Spain, changes are coming to what your employer legally has to tell you about your job. Royal Decree 723/2026 was published in.. 21/09/2026

Autumn officially arrives in Spain this week as days start getting shorterThe autumn equinox arrives on Wednesday with almost equal hours of daylight and darkness Summer is officially coming to an end in Spain this week, although you might not notice much difference in the weather just yet.   The autumn equinox.. 21/09/2026

Disney’s Tangled gives Alicante studios a fairytale-sized boostFilming at Ciudad de la Luz has been extended as the production brings jobs, spending and global attention to the region Disney’s live-action version of Tangled is set to remain at Ciudad de la Luz in Alicante until around October 21, following.. 18/09/2026

Spain has burned through nearly 300,000 hectares of land this year, almost half of the EU's entire totalNew figures confirm the scale of the 2026 wildfire season, though the pace of destruction has slowed considerably since early September Nearly 300,000 hectares of Spanish land have been destroyed by wildfires so far in 2026, according to the European.. 18/09/2026

New EU rules could ban social media accounts for children under 13The proposed rules would introduce parental controls, private profiles and limits on addictive features such as endless scrolling Children across the European Union could face major new restrictions on social media, gaming platforms and artificial.. 18/09/2026

Guardia Civil could be sent to drivers who activate Spain’s V16 emergency beacon The DGT wants traffic officers to respond to every beacon alert across Spain, but staffing concerns have already been raised Spain's controversial V16 emergency beacon could soon trigger a more direct response from the Guardia Civil, with.. 17/09/2026

Fuel price shock as more than 2,200 Spanish petrol stations charge over €2The latest figures reveal enormous differences in fuel prices across Spain as drivers face another costly autumn More than 2,200 petrol stations across Spain are now charging at least €2 a litre for fuel, giving drivers another unwelcome reminder.. 16/09/2026

Tuéjar wildfire burns 690 hectares and forces evacuationsThe Military Emergency Unit(UME) has joined the firefighting operation as two forest firefighters are injured tackling the blaze Firefighters are working to contain a major wildfire in Tuéjar, Valencia, after the flames burned an estimated.. 16/09/2026

Holidaymakers dodge a hefty rise in Spanish airport feesAena’s planned fee rises have faced growing opposition from airlines like Ryanair and Spain’s competition watchdog Passengers flying from Spanish airports will only see a tiny increase in fees over the coming years, after the government.. 16/09/2026

Five Alicante chefs put their twist on the humble tapaThe fourth edition of La Millor Tapeta del Món brings local flavours and creative cooking to Alicante’s Central Market Fancy discovering some of Alicante’s best tapas without having to travel around the province? That’s the idea.. 15/09/2026

Foreign workers in Spain hit a record high, and their contribution to the economy keeps growingMore than 3.5 million foreign nationals are now registered with Social Security, representing nearly 16% of the entire workforce The number of foreign workers registered with Social Security in Spain reached an all-time high in August, with 3,551,759.. 15/09/2026