COSTA BLANCA, ALICANTE PROVINCE: NEWS

Amazon Cloud crash disrupts payments, banking and everyday servicesA major fault in Amazon’s cloud system caused widespread outages in Spain, hitting banks, payment services and digital platforms Amazon's cloud services ran into problems on Monday and caused widespread disruption globally, affecting everything.. 21/10/2025

Bump in cruise liners brings record numbers to Alicante this OctoberAbout 19,000 passengers are expected between last Saturday and this Thursday An MSC cruise liner in Alicante The number of cruise passengers coming to Alicante city will hit a new high this week as the city's port expects to welcome.. 21/10/2025

What to say when the Guardia Civil stops you: keep it cool and cleverSimple words to keep you calm when the Guardia Civil wants to know why they stopped you If you’ve ever been stopped by the Guardia Civil while driving in Spain, you might recognise that classic question: "Do you know why we stopped.. 17/10/2025

Widow's pension rules could change for undocumented couples with childrenNew proposal would let couples skip formal marriage or civil partnership if they prove two years together and share children If you’re in a long-term relationship but not officially married or registered as a pareja de hecho (civil partnership).. 17/10/2025

European court rules pets are legally baggage on flights: airlines not liable beyond luggage compensationLoss of pets during air travel is treated like lost suitcases, limiting airline compensation obligations If you’re an animal lover who travels with pets, this news might be a bit upsetting. The Court of Justice of the European Union has decided.. 17/10/2025

Disruptions hit Renfe train routes this weekend, as Cartagena, Murcia and Valencia services move to buses  Track upgrades force another round of suspensions, with road travel and extra support in place for passengers Renfe passengers hoping to hop a train between Cartagena and Murcia, or make the journey to or from Valencia this weekend, will have to get.. 17/10/2025

Spain changes child-related retirement bonus: Only parents truly affected by career breaks will qualifyThe government narrows access to the child pension supplement to tackle gender pension inequality The Spanish government is making important changes to the child retirement supplement, a benefit designed to help parents with their retirement income.. 15/10/2025

Spain drops the price on thousands of over-the-counter medicationsThe Ministry of Health in Spain estimates the changes will save patients around €287 million There’s been some fantastic news this week for anyone buying medication in Spain. The Ministry of Health has announced price cuts on 17,385 different.. 15/10/2025

Beware fines for fake alarm stickers: What you need to know about home security in SpainGeneral deterrent signs are legal, but using company logos without a real system can cost you Security is a top priority for many people living in Spain, when it comes to protecting their homes. While installing a genuine alarm system is becoming more.. 15/10/2025

Ryanair offers 10 new destinations and extra flights on popular routes for Alicante-Elche airport this winterAirline’s commitment to Alicante contrasts with its national winter schedule, which has been cut by a million seats due to AENA’s “excessive fees” Low-cost airline Ryanair’s winter schedule for Alicante-Elche airport.. 15/10/2025

Spain-wide strike on October 15 against genocide in GazaUnions all across Spain have called on employees to stage a protest this Wednesday   This Wednesday October 15, union walkouts have been called across the country and in all workplaces by the various unions. Comisiones Obreras and UGT have registered.. 15/10/2025

Don't lose money: claim a bonus of up to €340 in your 2026 tax returnNew tax deduction benefits workers with low incomes If your salary is on the lower end of the scale, you might be able to benefit from a new tax deduction allowing a bonus of up to €340 when you file your 2026 Spanish income tax return. &.. 14/10/2025

Is it legal to drive someone else’s car without insurance in Spain?Understanding the rules, risks and penalties around driving other people’s vehicles There are times when it makes sense to let someone else drive your car or borrow a friend’s vehicle if you don’t have one. But in Spain, driving without.. 14/10/2025

The worst storms in Spain will now be given their own namesFollowing the devastation caused by Alice in the southeast of Spain, all future high-impact DANAs will be named On October 7, DANA Alice swept across eastern Spain, flooding towns, grinding transport to a halt and leaving many people talking.. 14/10/2025

Spain records one of the warmest Septembers since 1961 despite dramatic stormsSeptember brought record-breaking heat to parts of Andalucia and Murcia with temperatures 2°C above normal Average temperature anomalies in September 2025 compared to the period 1991-2020   We might still be drying out or rain coats.. 14/10/2025

Self-employed in Spain face higher Social Security payments from 2026Government proposes new income brackets and changes to benefits amid union concerns The Spanish government is preparing to increase Social Security contributions for self-employed workers by between €11 and €206 per month starting next year... 14/10/2025

Videos & pics: Dana Alice batters Murcia and AlicanteFlights cancelled, roads flooded and cars submerged as DANA Alice takes hold in southern Spain, with the worst yet to come   Dana Alice has arrived with a vengeance in the south of Spain and Thursday's deluge is just a taste of what&#.. 10/10/2025

New digital invoicing rules for Spain's self-employed: What you need to knowVeriFactu system brings stricter deadlines, more transparency and a new way of handling invoices The world of invoicing for Spain’s self-employed and small businesses is about to change, as the Tax Agency, AEAT, gets ready to roll out a new system.. 10/10/2025

Benissa aims to take a bite from the Big Apple at Smart Travel News AwardsCosta Blanca town nominated in same category as New York for innovative tourist destination strategies Benissa has been nominated for the 2025 Smart Travel News Awards as an Innovative Tourist Destination. The nomination highlights the town.. 10/10/2025

From Madrid to Seville: Spain’s stark neighbourhood income divideTwo Andalucía neighbourhoods among the country’s poorest as Madrid and Barcelona dominate wealth rankings Recent data from Spain’s Tax Agency reveals the widest income gap between neighbourhoods seen in years, with Madrid and Barcelona.. 10/10/2025