Economy
Economic and financial news and information from Spain.
Bank of Spain raises 2026 growth forecast
Spain's economy is set to grow faster than previously expected this year, the central bank said Friday, as the government heads into a snap general election on November 29th.
EU pushes back as US revives trade pressure on bloc
The EU pushed back Friday at renewed trade pressure from the United States, as Washington said the bloc was enabling Chinese evasion of US tariffs and stepped up calls for it to roll back flagship green rules on businesses.
EU breathes sigh of relief over new Trump tariffs
The European Union expressed relief Friday over a new wave of US tariffs imposed by Washington on trading partners, following concerns of possible retaliation to a massive fine Brussels had slapped on US giant Google.
EU seeks Trump tariff exemptions on wine and cheese
The EU has asked the US for tariff exemptions on more products, a spokesman said on Wednesday, including cheese and wine.
Climate change to blame as heatwave hits Europe's economies
Human-caused climate change is "unequivocally" responsible for the intensity of a record-breaking heatwave scorching Europe, scientists said Friday, while experts consider the costs for an economy as productivity melts and growth becomes lethargic.
How companies in Europe are struggling to recruit workers from outside the EU
Almost half of European small and medium companies struggle to find workers with the skills they need but recruitment outside the EU remains “limited” and “too difficult”, a recent Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission had shown.
Biggest EU economies agree on steps for financial integration
The finance ministers of the European Union's six biggest economies said Friday they had agreed on steps to better integrate financial markets and make investments flow seamlessly across the bloc.
Blockbuster EU-Mercosur trade deal enters into force
The European Union's mammoth trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur provisionally enters into force Friday, despite a pending court ruling on its legality.
Spain's economic growth defies impact of Middle East war
Spain's dynamic economy withstood the turmoil unleashed by the Middle East war to post 0.6 percent growth in the first quarter, in line with expectations, official data showed on Thursday.
Spain's inflation rate slows down despite Middle East War
Spanish inflation cooled in April thanks to falling electricity prices even as the Middle East war roiled global energy markets, official data showed on Wednesday.
EU warns Spain over tax cuts on fuels
Spain and Poland might have run afoul of European Union rules with their tax cuts on fuels aimed at curbing the economic impact of the Middle East war, the European Commission said Wednesday.
Spain sees surge in last-minute bookings by tourists avoiding Middle East war
Spain's government said Tuesday it expected the Middle East war to contribute to a bumper tourist season, but warned that the crisis could also drag down a key driver for the Spanish economy.
Spain's economy faces 'significant slowdown' due to Middle East war
Spain’s economy could face a "significant slowdown" due to the Middle East war, the Bank of Spain said on Friday, although it still predicts growth of 2.3 percent in 2026.
CONFIRMED: Spain approves measures to curb Middle East war impact
Spain's parliament approved Thursday a sweeping package worth €5 billion ($5.8 billion) aimed at curbing the economic impact of the Middle East war, including steep cuts to energy taxes.
Spain and UK to agree on new work visa waiver and stronger business ties
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves visited Madrid on Wednesday to meet with Spanish businesses and agree on other ways to strengthen ties between both countries post-Brexit, including a short-stay work visa waiver.
Middle East war: Spain plans measures to combat soaring energy prices
Spain's leftist government on Thursday said it would soon present a plan to contain the Middle East war's impact on Spanish electricity and fuel prices.
How will war in Iran impact life in Spain?
Despite distancing itself from the conflict and refusing military cooperation, Spain may still be impacted by the economic ripple effects of war in Iran.
Inflation to hit eurozone as war in the Middle East disrupts energy flows
In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.
Buying a home in Spain costs €40,000 more than a year ago
The price of second-hand housing in Spain has surged by more than 20 percent in a year, new data reveals, laying bare the realities of the Spanish property market.
European leaders denounce Trump's tariff threats over Greenland
European leaders on Sunday hit back at US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, with far-right Italian leader Giorgia Meloni urging Washington against making a "mistake".
EU to ink long-awaited trade deal with South American bloc
The European Union will on Saturday sign a deal 25 years in the making with the South American trade bloc Mercosur, creating one of the world's largest free trade areas at a time of growing protectionism and volatility.
Spain to be fastest growing EU economy in 2026 but benefits not trickling down
Buoyed by immigration, the Spanish economy has enjoyed positive headline figures in recent years and will continue to lead the way in the bloc in 2026, but Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez admits the benefits aren't yet trickling down to locals.
Spanish pork producers 'very concerned' by African swine fever
Spain's pork industry is "very concerned" by a growing African swine fever outbreak among wild boars that has sparked jitters about the world's third-largest producer of the meat and its derivatives.