Spain: Learn about Spain
Everything you need to understand Spain, Spanish people, the culture and history of the country, as well as the best places to visit.
Spain clarifies 183-day rule for Digital Nomad Visa renewals
If you're living in Spain on certain types of visas such as the Digital Nomad Visa, you will no longer be denied a renewal for absences longer than 183 days in a year. The Local spoke to visa experts about the latest court ruling.
Goats, horses and fire: the weird ways Spain celebrates San Juan
Nobody celebrates festivities with quite the same flair and diversity as Spain, and Saint John's Eve (June 23rd or 24th) is no exception.
What are Spain's gun ownership laws?
Spain has some of Europe's strictest gun laws but there are many weapons - both legal and illegal - in the country. Here is a breakdown of the rules and reality of gun ownership in Spain.
Why does Spain's national anthem have no words?
Why is it that when it comes to their national anthem Spaniards are lost for words?
Why most homes in Spain don't have smoke detectors or fire alarms
If you’re from a country where smoke detectors are the norm or even obligatory by law, you will have no doubt noticed the lack of them in homes here in Spain. Find out the reason behind this.
How much money you need to achieve financial freedom in your city in Spain
Money can’t buy you happiness as the saying goes, but it can definitely help take the pressure off life. Find out what the data says about how much you need to earn in numerous cities across Spain to be financially comfortable.
Can non-resident foreigners get an organ transplant in Spain?
So-called 'transplant tourism' is particularly common in Spain due to the country's shorter waiting times for a transplant and the high number of organ donations. But is this practice actually legal?
What are the penalties and prison sentences for tax evasion in Spain?
Spain takes tax fraud very seriously and there can be severe consequences if you're found out. Read on to find out what the fines and possible jail sentences are for tax evasion.
IN PICTURES: Fiesta and fervour at Spain's El Rocío pilgrimage
If there's a tradition that shows how partying and religious devotion are deep-seated in the culture of Spain's southern Andalusia region, that's the 1-million-people pilgrimage and festivities of El Rocío.
Why are TV ad breaks so long in Spain?
Watching Spanish TV can often feel like it's all just ads, and the actual programmes are the fillers. Why is it that ad breaks in Spain often run for more than 12 minutes?
La ONCE: Why blind people sell lottery tickets in Spain
Have you ever wondered what those small kiosk are on many street corners in Spain, and why there are people inside them selling tickets? Here's what you need to know about 'La ONCE'.
Why isn't Ascension Day a public holiday in Spain?
Spain is still a rather religious country, so why isn't Ascension Day a public holiday here?
What's the story behind Madrid's San Isidro fiesta?
For people from the Spanish capital, May 15th is one of the biggest and most important days in the calendar. And with good reason.
Flamenco, horses and sherry: Jerez's Feria del Caballo
The swish of a flamenco skirt, the soft beat of hooves drumming on the roads and the smell of sweet sherry, these are the senses you'll experience at Jerez de la Frontera’s Feria del Caballo in May, a worthy alternative to Seville's busy April Fair.
Why are Ceuta and Melilla Spanish?
As Ceuta and Melilla are brought back into the international spotlight via a US Congress report, The Local considers how these two cities in North Africa became Spanish and why do they remain so to this day?
Why you should go to Córdoba's mesmerising Patios Festival
Every May, locals in the Andalusian city of Córdoba open up their private courtyards to visitors who are left mesmerised by their dizzying floral displays. Here's everything you need to know about Córdoba's Patios Festival in 2026.
Why do so many bars and restaurants in Spain close on Mondays?
If you live in Spain or come here regularly on holiday, you’ll probably have noticed that Monday is the day when many bars and restaurants stay closed and you have far fewer options than any other day of the week. But why is this?
Why do Portuguese people speak much better English than Spaniards?
How is it possible that there can be such a difference between two neighbouring countries so culturally similar, with related Romance languages and tourism-based economies?
EXPLAINED: Why is Spain called Spain?
You may have never stopped to think about it, but where does Spain - or España - get its name from?
Everything you need to know about Mother's Day in Spain
Here's how and when in May Mother's Day is celebrated in Spain, and why it owes its roots to religion and a Valencian poet.
Eight fascinating facts about Spain's Aragón region
To celebrate Aragón Day (April 23rd), we’ve delved into its history and geography to offer you some intriguing facts about this overlooked region of Spain, from its unique language to its connection to chocolate.
Ten books that tell you everything you need to know about Spain
To mark World Book Day, we give you a breakdown of ten fiction and non-fiction ‘libros’ that will help you get to grips with Spain’s history, culture, the Spanish mindset and more.
Why St. George's Day is celebrated in Catalonia with roses and books
Catalonia prepares for its annual Sant Jordi celebrations tomorrow, April 23rd, when roses and books stalls flood the streets, particularly in the capital of Barcelona.