ALICANTE NEWS

Spain to hand over 17,000 rural properties to aspiring young farmersThe 'Tierra Joven' platform has been launched to help the younger generation in Spain access property and tackle the depopulation crisis The Spanish government is preparing to transfer around 17,000 state-owned rural properties to young farmers.. 15/01/2026

Invasive turtles on the move in Vinalopó RiverEnvironmentalists trap nine unwanted newcomers while native population thrives Good news for wildlife watchers along the Vinalopó River: the native turtle population is growing steadily despite the challenges. Acción Ecologista Agró.. 15/01/2026

Government weighs up stripping Julio Iglesias of arts medal as pressure grows over allegationsMinisters consider next steps as institutions across Spain review honours linked to the singer The Spanish government is considering whether to withdraw Julio Iglesias’s Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts, following allegations of sexual assault.. 15/01/2026

New Spanish V-16 emergency beacon sparks pacemaker safety fearsDoctors warn drivers in Spain with pacemakers to keep emergency beacons away from their chest Spain has introduced plenty of laws that has expats rolling their eyes but the V-16 beacon, introduced on January 1 to replace the old warning triangles.. 15/01/2026

Rain and cooler weather on the way again: Alicante weather forecast January 15-18It's a clear change from recent days, with thicker cloud, cooler air and rain back on the forecast The unsettled weather is back, and after a run of bright January days, Alicante is in for a bit of a change. Sunshine will give way to thicker.. 15/01/2026

Spain crowned best country in the world for digital nomads in 2025A near perfect score put Spain ahead of 63 rival countries for remote working Spain has officially been crowned the best country in the world for digital nomads in 2025, after topping not one but two major international rankings.   The.. 15/01/2026

Spain's best and worst airports for delays revealed in 2025 rankings Millions of passengers were hit by delays and cancellations across Spain last year As another year gets underway, attention is once again turning to how well Europe’s airports are actually performing and Spain, as one of the continent’.. 15/01/2026

Best Lawyers recognises Raúl Pardo-Geijo as Lawyer of the Year in Criminal Law in Spain 2026 The prestigious American legal publisher Best Lawyers, considered the oldest legal ranking institution in the world and one of the most influential internationally, has distinguished Spanish criminal defense lawyer Raúl Pardo-Geijo Ruiz as &ldquo.. 15/01/2026

Alicante sets its sights on China to boost international tourism in 2026Alicante city is planning fairs, partnerships and promotions to build on last year’s success Alicante city's government is hoping to build on the record hotel occupancy rate of more than 79% achieved in 2025 by attracting even more international.. 14/01/2026

Alicante-Elche airport nears 20 million passengers in record-breaking 2025International travellers, led by the British, drive an 8.5% increase in passenger numbers Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport has capped 2025 with a new record, nearly reaching 20 million passengers. Final figures show the airport handled 19.. 14/01/2026

Plans move forward for new desalination plants on the Alicante and Murcia coastsThe Torrevieja and Águilas facilities should increase the water supply in southern Spain Another step forward has been taken towards building two new desalination plants in Torrevieja and Águilas, which together could supply up to 150.. 14/01/2026

Brit arrested after 7kg of cocaine found in car at Denia ferry portDriver detained as drugs discovered in secret compartment on route from Costa Blanca to Balearic Islands A 62-year-old British man has been remanded in custody after officers at the port of Denia, near Benidorm, found more than seven kilos of cocaine.. 14/01/2026

Does using car heating waste fuel in Spain? A mechanic has the answerThe science behind why warming up your car during the Spanish winter doesn’t hit your wallet Just as motorists wonder how much blasting the air conditioning during the scorching summer months will cost them in fuel, in winter drivers in Spain.. 14/01/2026

Scams on the rise in Alicante as police warn of growing threatsFake bank calls, bogus rentals and child-in-distress schemes top the list of crimes troubling the province Alicante residents are being warned to stay alert as scams continue to rise across the province. Building on previous, recent alerts about increasing.. 14/01/2026

Dense fog at Alicante airport leaves thousands of British passengers stranded in SpainAt least 18 inbound flights were diverted as thick mist blanketed the Costa Blanca on Tuesday morning British travellers heading to and from Alicante were thrown into chaos yesterday after heavy fog brought the airport to a standstill and forced airlines.. 14/01/2026

Housewives in Spain can claim €629 pension each month in 2026Thousands of women across Spain who dedicated their lives to unpaid domestic work can now claim non-contributory retirement benefit For decades, millions of women across Spain have spent their lives running households and raising families without.. 14/01/2026

Tourism in Spain hits the brakes after years of rapid growthThe experts say the slowdown is natural and the industry remains in strong shape throughout Spain heading into 2026 Spain’s tourism industry is beginning to slow its pace after several years of rapid post-Covid growth, with new figures showing.. 13/01/2026

Former employees accuse Julio Iglesias of sexual assault at Caribbean homesTwo women say they faced control, intimidation and abuse while working for the singer in 2021 Two former employees of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias have accused him of sexual assault, describing what they say was an atmosphere of fear, control and abuse.. 13/01/2026

Retirees beware: Spanish pension scam letters are back in circulationFraudsters claiming to offer pension increases are targeting retirees in Spain with fake requests for ID and bank details Pensioners across Spain are being warned about a nasty scam that's doing the rounds again this January, just as people are.. 13/01/2026

Alicante Policía Nacional warns of rising scams and car theftsCybercrime up 14% in 2025 with vehicle break-ins also on the increase The Policía Nacional in Alicante is urging residents to stay vigilant as online scams and thefts from cars continue to climb. Between January and September 2025, cybercrimes.. 13/01/2026