From politics to housing laws to cultural highlights, here’s a round-up of the headline stories to come out in Spain in 2023. Plus, what can the country anticipate for 2024?
For Spain, 2023 was a busy year! It saw a general election, the opening of a high speed rail, a sought-after property market, a new World Heritage site in Menorca and more. We run through some headlines and ponder on what 2024 holds for this fantastic country.
Your Spanish news round-up.
Find homes in Spain via our property portal.
Political news
2023 was an eventful year for Spanish politics! It saw a general election which led to the PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español) once again in power but only thanks to support from small, regional parties. Amongst them, Catalan separatists, offered support in exchange for an amnesty for Catalans who were found guilty of offences committed in 2017 when the then Catalan administration declared unilateral independence from Spain.
This amnesty has not gone down well with centre right and right-wing parties and their supporters, leading to numerous demonstrations against it, involving hundreds of thousands of people.
2024 is likely to see more activity against the amnesty, especially if the exiled Catalan ex-President, Carles Pudgdemont, is allowed to return to Spain without being arrested.
Travel updates
All aboard!
- In 2023 the Spanish government decided to offer free train tickets to commuters, half price bus fares and other money saving options. These are to be continued in 2024.
- After 20 years of construction work, the Pajares rail tunnel was finally opened in November and now there is a new high speed train service from Madrid to the coast of Asturias, with a journey time of 3.5 hours. Learn more about it here.
- Another new route opened between Madrid and Alicante via Valencia courtesy of train operator Ouigo (owned by the French rail company SNCF). Spain’s Renfe has also opened a route from Madrid to Alicante with its Aryo trains.
- Ouigo has plans to expand in 2024 with routes from Madrid to Cordoba, Malaga and Seville.
- Iryo (Spanish/Italian Consortium) is also opening a route from Malaga, Seville to Madrid. Prices on these routes are incredibly good value, starting at €7.
- In October 2023 Spain was given permission by the EU to continue with its policy of no motorway tolls for another year. This means that funds for motorway maintenance will have to be found from other sources such as promoting train travel.
In 2024:
- By the end of 2024, a new Nightjet service from Barcelona to Zurich will be in operation.
- 2024 will see the end of the 100ml liquid rule at certain Spanish airports. Electronics such as laptops, kindles and mobile phones can be left in luggage thanks to the latest 3D X ray machines. Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat will be the first to use this technology with Palma de Mallorca later in 2024.
Cultural highlights
Talayotic, the newest Spanish World Heritage site.
- Excitingly, 2024 sees Valencia named the European Green Capital. This is an important award which recognises the city’s green credentials and its adherence to sustainability.
- Barcelona’s metro will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. At the same time fares will increase by 6.75%.
- A new Flamenco Museum is to open in the Andalusian city of Jerez la Frontera which is intrinsically entwined with sherry, horses and Flamenco.
- Spain now has 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites with the latest addition being the prehistoric sites of Talayotic in Menorca. Five of the oldest will celebrate their 40th anniversary as they were adopted in 1984. These are: Burgos Cathedral, Cordoba Old Town, Madrid’s Monastery and Site of the Escorial, Gaudí’s creations and The Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín in Granada.
Housing
- Firstly, existing rental contracts can only be increased by 3% in 2024.
- Plus, in 2023 house prices increased by 7% against all expectations, with Madrid and Barcelona reaching record highs, followed by coastal towns on the Mediterranean and Balearics. Owing to high demand, especially from foreign buyers and a reduction in supply, prices are rising. Landlords are moving towards tourist rentals rather than long term rentals which is causing a shortage of rental properties.
- The outlook for 2024 is that property in the sought after areas will continue to rise. However, it is expected that property in other areas will remain steady or even decrease. Furthermore, since inflation is falling, there should be no need for the European Central Bank to increase interest levels, so mortgages should become cheaper. Moreover, ING Bank expects the price of property to rise but more slowly. One reason, they say, is the slowdown in economic growth in 2023, from 2.5% in 2023 to 1.4% next year.
Headlines in food
Tuck in!
The 2024 Michelin Guide is out! Luckily for Spain (and your taste buds and belly), over 1,200 restaurants are featured. Spain can now boast fifteen restaurants with three stars. Plus, 271 with two or one stars. While 49 have been awarded a Green Star and 229 a Bib Gourmand.
The Spanish news we wrote about in 2023
On the Spain Property Guides site, you’ll find articles on beautiful areas, the different aspects of the buying process and news. Here are some of the news stories we published in 2023.
- Spain calls for the end of the 90-day rule
- The Balearic Islands: a hubbub of overseas buyers
- Escape to Vigo this winter on a new Ryanair flight
- How Spain is crafting a greener future
- Orihuela: the Costa Blanca town where one in eight residents are British
- As of 2023, Spain has 629 Blue Flag beaches!
Feliz Año Nuevo!
