COSTA BLANCA, ALL VALENCIA REGION 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

Alicante-Elche Airport breaks another record with 18.6 million passengersThe Costa Blanca’s main airport continues its remarkable growth with its busiest year yet Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport has smashed its annual record, surpassing last year’s passenger total with more than 18.6 million travellers.. 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

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

Will you be able to afford a home in Spain in 2026?By the end of 2025, the average increase in the cost of apartments for sale in Spain is expected to be over 15% Spain’s house prices have been going nowhere but up all year and the question on everyone’s mind now is definitely: what will.. 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..

Alicante now has the worst flu infection numbers in SpainMedical experts warn worst may be ahead as cases soar across Alicante province The 2025 flu epidemic is rapidly escalating throughout Spain and nowhere is this more evident than in Alicante, where the rate of infection has shot past the national average.. 12/12/2025

Alicante Christmas Fair: Rides, nostalgia and free €1 vouchers up for grabsRabasa funland runs until 18 January with classic attractions and daily discount hunts Alicante's Christmas Fair at Rabasa is in full swing, promising thrills for all ages from now until January 18 2026. Organised by the Provincial Association.. 12/12/2025

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

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

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

Leuka Clinic: Alicante's heartfelt heroes for Policía Nacional dogs over 15 yearsRound-the-clock love and loyalty keep canine heroes in top shape Hidden in Alicante's cosy Los Ángeles neighbourhood, Leuka Veterinary Centre has been the devoted partner of the Policía Nacional's Canine Unit for a full 15 years.. 03/12/2025

Spain's best Christmas lights of 2025From giant trees to glowing streets, this year’s most spectacular festive displays have arrived Christmas has officially taken over Spain and the country is glowing. From enormous illuminated trees to themed routes and waterfront shows, cities.. 03/12/2025