COSTA BLANCA, ALL VALENCIA REGION NEWS

Spain to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel competes, joining Ireland and othersFour countries have already withdrawn, now Spain is first Big Five member to threaten exit The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is facing a major challenge as several countries oppose Israel’s participation due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. To date.. 17/09/2025

Butane cylinder prices drop 5%, bringing welcome relief to Spanish consumersPrice cut brings the cost of a butane gas cylinder down to €16.27 amid fluctuating global markets Did you know that over 64 million butane and propane gas cylinders are used every year across Spain? These handy cylinders are a vital energy source.. 16/09/2025

From Madrid to Murcia, Alicante and Málaga: Ouigo’s budget trains take Spain by storm in first yearLow prices and efficient service fuel strong growth on Spain’s high-speed trains Ouigo is celebrating a successful first year on the Madrid-Murcia route, having transported over 350,000 passengers with an average occupancy rate of 80%. This French.. 16/09/2025

Alicante cruises towards record-breaking 2026 seasonThe port is set for 114 ship visits and 300,000 passengers, boosted by new routes and plans for home ports Alicante’s cruise industry is steering towards an exciting new high, with the Port Authority now forecasting 114 cruise ship calls and roughly.. 15/09/2025

Foreign buyers love Alicante, the Balearics and Malaga for Spanish homesNearly 93,000 properties snapped up by foreigners last year as demand stays strong If you’ve ever wondered where most foreigners are buying homes in Spain these days, the answer remains pretty clear: Alicante, the Balearic Islands and Malaga top.. 15/09/2025

Crackdown on illegal holiday lets sweeps SpainThousands of tourist apartments pulled offline in bid to boost housing supply A sweeping effort is underway across Spain to combat illegal tourist rentals, as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda (MIVAU) has ordered more than 53,800 non-compliant.. 15/09/2025

WATCH: Southern Spain battered by storms, schools closed ahead of worsening weatherAn orange weather alert for torrential rain and potentially dangerous storms has been activated in several parts of the Valencian Community on Tuesday   The Costa Blanca is bracing for another day of dangerous weather after heavy downpours.. 12/09/2025

Autumn in Spain 2025: When it begins and what to expectThe season starts on September 22 with milder weather, fewer rainy days and plenty of sky-watching highlights Spanish summer is slowly coming to an end and autumn is just around the corner. This year it officially begins on Monday September 22 at.. 12/09/2025

Smoking ban across Spain sparks criticism as hospitality industry fights backHospitality sector in uproar over terrace smoking ban amid government push for tougher tobacco laws Spain’s hottest hospitality voices are strongly opposing the latest anti-smoking law draft passed by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, which extends.. 12/09/2025

Spain pushes ahead with plans to ban smoking on bar terracesSweeping changes include fines for parents, expanded smoke-free zones, and big penalties for tobacco promotion Spain’s government is pressing ahead with some of its toughest anti-smoking measures yet, following months of heated debate and building.. 12/09/2025

No reduced working week for Spain as politicians overwhelmingly vote against itPlans to reduce the working week in Spain from 40 to 37.5 hours have met a major stumbling block It looked like a sure thing, but the Labour minister’s plans to slash the working week in Spain have been squashed as even politicians who initially.. 11/09/2025

Spain extends parental leave despite some criticismsCongress approves one more week off for parents alongside two weeks of paid childcare leave Spain’s parliament has given the green light to an extension of parental leave, with maternity leave increased from 16 to 17 weeks and the addition of two.. 10/09/2025

Spanish airlines fly to the rescue after Ryanair axes 1 million seatsVueling, Iberia Express, Binter and Wizz Air step in to boost routes from Tenerife North and Santiago de Compostela after Ryanair cuts “The king is dead, long live the king.” With that old saying, Spain’s Minister of Transport and.. 10/09/2025

Rain, what rain? The orange storm alert that fizzled out in AlicanteSchools were closed and outdoor events were cancelled across the Costa Blanca on Tuesday over a storm that never arrived Meteorologists in southern Spain might be wishing they could quietly slip away today after forecasts of torrential rain and flooding.. 10/09/2025

The mortgage hurdle forcing thousands to rent amid soaring house pricesSaving nearly €44,000 upfront is the stumbling block for homebuyers in Spain as rents continue to rise Becoming a homeowner in Spain remains a distant dream for millions, but it's not just about house prices continuing their rapid climb. The.. 09/09/2025

Spain's DGT sets clear rules on sunglasses when drivingFines of up to €200 for wearing Category 4 sunglasses while driving or not using prescription lenses if required It’s common to see drivers in Spain sporting sunglasses, especially in the summer months, to shield their eyes from the sun and.. 08/09/2025

British couple in southern Spain say the “cost of living has gone up, but it’s still cheap”Retired Brits Mal and Bill find freedom and sunshine on Spain’s Mediterranean shores More than 130,000 British nationals over 60 now call Spain home, with most settling along the Mediterranean coast in places like Málaga and Alicante. Among.. 08/09/2025

Two arrested in Torrevieja for fraud by cloning a telecom company’s websiteVictims in 19 provinces, including Murcia, Alicante and Andalucía, lost a total of about €20,000 Guardia Civil officers have arrested a 44-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman in Torrevieja, on suspicion of 30 frauds using.. 08/09/2025

Spain’s rail woes call for clear strategy as Renfe and ADIF face mounting challengesRail operators and infrastructure managers need strong coordination and vision to restore public confidence Spain’s railway system is facing persistent problems that highlight the urgent need for a clear, long-term strategy involving both Renfe.. 05/09/2025

Fewer road deaths this summer in Spain, especially in Murcia and Valencia regionsDespite improvements during period when record number of journeys were made, interior minister emphasised the importance of vigilance Road fatalities in Spain continued to decline during the summer months of July and August 2025. A total of.. 05/09/2025