- Jul 14
Spain and Britain dismantle Gibraltar border fence, ending 116 years of land controls and opening Schengen access
The metal barrier known as 'la verja,' in place since 1909, was lifted by crane at midnight on 15 July 2026, hours after Brussels and London signed a treaty aligning the British Overseas Territory with the Schengen zone six years post-Brexit.
- Jul 11
Rajoy's 'no Frenchmen' column on France's World Cup team ignites cross-border political storm before Spain-France semifinal
Former Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy's column saying France's World Cup squad plays 'without Frenchmen' has been condemned as racist by both French and Spanish officials, overshadowing tonight's Spain-France semifinal.
- Jul 7
Spain approves record €226bn spending ceiling for 2027, setting stage for budget battle and possible early elections
The Spanish government has approved a non-financial spending limit of €226,032 million for 2027, a 6.6% increase, as it prepares an expansive budget that could double as an electoral platform ahead of possible early general elections.
- Jul 6
Spain's government faces near-unanimous regional revolt over new financing model, with only Catalonia backing the plan
Fourteen of Spain's fifteen common-regime autonomous communities, including two governed by the ruling Socialists, have declared they will vote against the government's new regional financing model, leaving Catalonia as the sole supporter ahead of a decisive 29 July vote.
- Jun 19
King Felipe and Princess Leonor fly together for the first time on a training mission over the Mar Menor
The Spanish royal household has released images of King Felipe VI and his heir flying separate Pilatus PC-21 aircraft in a joint training exercise at the San Javier air academy, coinciding with the 12th anniversary of his accession.
- Jun 15
Valencia leader opens door to financing talks with Spain's government but insists on multilateral forum
After a cordial but inconclusive meeting with Finance Minister Arcadi España, Valencian president Juanfran Pérez Llorca said he would accept a new autonomous financing model only if debated jointly by all regions, while his government will abide by any congressional debt write-off.
- Jun 9
Pope Leo XIV concludes Madrid visit with royal meeting and packed Bernabéu event
Pope Leo XIV ended his apostolic visit to Madrid with a private audience with Queen Sofía and her family, before a joyous diocesan gathering at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium that drew up to 80,000 faithful and included a mix of music, personal testimonies and liturgical pageantry.
- Jun 5
Pope Leo draws 1.2 million to Madrid Mass, urges Europe to overcome 'sterile simplifications'
Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass at Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles before a crowd of 1.2 million on Sunday, the centrepiece of a week-long Spanish visit focused on migration, peace and a call for Europe to reject divisive politics.
