Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin Feb 21

TOP STORIES: "Murcia plans new flight connections with UK airports" & "These are the vehicles that no longer need an ITV test in Spain"

It’s Friday, at last! I hope you’ve had a good week, and that you have an even better weekend. In this edition of the Roundup Weekly Bulletin, we’re telling you about the vehicles which are now exempt from having to do an ITV test in Spain and the big plans that Murcia’s government has to increase the available flight routes at Corvera Airport, as well as the usual mix of other stories from across Murcia, Alicante, Andalucía and the rest of Spain.

But first…

The march of progress

A well-known ~~ITV television programme~~ city in Spain has just been chosen as the EU’s guinea pig for its shiny new digital wallet initiative, a project designed to revolutionise the way European citizens handle their identification and admin paperwork.

In theory, this system will allow people to store and manage official documents – ID cards, passports, bank details, health insurance, even airline tickets – all in a secure digital format on their mobile devices. Because who needs a handbag stuffed with bits of paper just waiting to be stolen when you can have all your personal information floating in the cloud instead?

The idea is to create a secure, standardised ID system that works across all EU member states, doing away with private identification methods and, supposedly, reducing unnecessary data sharing. Citizens will retain full control over what information they share, meaning you won’t have to hand over your entire life story just to prove you’re old enough to buy a beer.

Each country will be responsible for linking national digital identities with other credentials like driving licences, academic diplomas and bank accounts, all of which can be accessed with just a few taps on a phone. Welcome to the future.

When it’s fully up and running, this European Digital Wallet is expected to completely change the way people travel. Imagine a world where passports, boarding passes, hotel reservations and excursion tickets are all seamlessly integrated into one neat digital solution. No more fumbling for paperwork at border control or realising you’ve left your boarding pass in your other bag.

This system is also expected to make ‘smart travel’ a reality, with remote hotel check-ins, digital room keys and even pre-ordered in-flight meals all available at passengers’ fingertips.

Of course, for those who still prefer the good old days of physical documents and personal privacy, this might all sound a little dystopian. But let’s face it, given the relentless march of digital everything, this was always on the cards. Airlines like Vueling have already started eliminating physical boarding passes, so the shift to a fully digital travel experience is pretty much inevitable.

The EU’s biggest challenge will be convincing everyone that their personal data is safe. The system needs to be properly encrypted and only accessible to those who actually need it, but making that a reality in practice is only a matter of the proper programming, no more difficult or intrusive than all the personal data Google and Facebook already have about you.

The pilot scheme for this all-in-one virtual wallet on your phone is to be Brits’ favourite Benidorm. The city has been selected because, as you may not be aware, it is already known as something of a leader in digital tourism innovation in terms of its smart city programmes and tours.

Assuming everything goes smoothly, the European Digital Wallet is set to roll out gradually across the continent from 2026. When combined with the Entry/Exit System (EES) at Schengen borders and the ETIAS visa waiver fee for non-EU travellers, both of which are due to come in before the end of 2025, we could be seeing the start of a major shift in how Europeans manage their personal and travel documentation.

You can’t beat a classic

If you own a car in Spain, you’re probably all too familiar with the ITV test, which is basically Spain’s answer to the UK’s MOT.

Every two years (or every year if your car is a bit older), you’ve got to book an appointment at an ITV centre and let the mechanics give your vehicle the once-over to make sure it’s safe to be on the road. Only then can you get that all-important ITV sticker and drive off into the sunset for another couple of years.

But here’s some great news for classic car enthusiasts: as of this year, any car or moped registered before 1950 is exempt from the ITV test. The Spanish government is trying to protect and preserve historic vehicles as part of the country’s cultural heritage, and by waiving the ITV requirement, they’re hoping to encourage more people to register their classic cars.

Now, you might be wondering if motorcycles will be next to get the exemption. Well, it’s interesting to look at what's happening in neighbouring Portugal. After a 12-year campaign by motorcycle riders, the Portuguese government has finally scrapped the ITV requirement for bikes. They’re arguing that mechanical failures aren't the main cause of motorcycle accidents and that riders are already pretty aware of the risks of driving an unsafe bike.

But in Spain, things are actually moving in the opposite direction – new rules are being introduced to make motorcycle licences and protective gear mandatory.

So, will Spain follow Portugal's lead and scrap the ITV requirement for motorcycles? It’s unlikely, at least for now. The ITV centres are a big part of the economy and regular vehicle inspections are just a normal part of life for Spanish drivers.

There isn’t much public pressure to change the rules, so it’s probable that motorcycles in Spain will still need to undergo ITV tests for the foreseeable future.

Don’t forget to join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for all the latest motoring and travel news

Corvera Airport, again

Sorry to bang on about it but it’s worth reporting when there is big news at Corvera, and it just so happens that this has happened two weeks in a row now.

This time around, it’s good news for anyone who’s been longing for more flight options to and from the Region of Murcia International Airport as the regional government is doubling down on its push to attract tourists, splashing out €4.1 million on new international flight connections.

Specifically, the UK and France are in Murcia’s sights for potential new flight paths to create, along with a Tenerife route. It has also been confirmed that Barcelona will get to stay on the roster but Madrid is being axed.

It turns out that the performance of the Murcia-Madrid flights, which were launched in December 2023 as part of a temporary deal with Volotea, didn’t quite match expectations, and with low occupancy rates the funding is now being rerouted to more promising destinations.

Rather than simply handing cash to airlines to wheedle them to put on the added international flight routes everyone has been asking for, the regional government is using marketing contracts to lure them in, which ticks all the legal boxes while also ensuring that the routes can stand on their own two feet commercially.

When it comes to the UK, Murcia is setting aside a full €665,500 on specifically targeting British travellers, with separate budgets set aside for major UK cities (€302,500), the north (€181,500) and the south (€181,500). The hope is to get flights running and keep them going year-round, reducing the region’s dependency on seasonal tourism.

Whether the airlines actually bite remains to be seen, but if you’ve got strong feelings about which UK airports should be included, don’t bother the regional government or the airport management or anyone – take it up with the airlines directly by sending them emails and messages on social media, both private and public.

Right now, there’s no official word on which airports will be involved or when flights might start. Airlines will need to bid on these contracts, and if no one steps up, well… no flights. Simple as that.

Volotea, the airline that’s been operating the Madrid and Barcelona routes since December, isn’t making any promises yet. While they seem interested in Barcelona and France, they’ve already confirmed they won’t be continuing the Madrid route once their contract expires in March 2025. However, they’re sticking around for now, keeping the Murcia routes to Bilbao and Oviedo going, thanks to continued incentives from the government.

Binter, another Spanish airline, has been handed €75,000 to keep pushing Gran Canaria, and they are lined up as the favourites to operate a Tenerife connection under a €157,300 contract.

The regional government’s grand vision is to turn Murcia into a year-round tourist hotspot, counteracting the usual boom-and-bust seasonal cycle. Expect us to be talking more about Corvera Airport when there are more updates on this story, and also when they release the official (but not necessarily final) flight roster for the summer high season soon.

Murcia

Aside from the latest developments at Corvera Airport announced this week, the biggest stories of the week in Murcia were the new joint venture started by the towns around the Mar Menor, the awarding of BIC status to the Cabo de Palos lighthouse, and a case of shocking animal cruelty in San Javier.

First up, the mayors of the Campo de Cartagena area have decided that teamwork makes the dream work, forming a new association to tackle local issues common to them all and strengthen their position in Europe. It’s not a commonwealth, and it’s not about merging services; rather, it’s a way to ensure a united front when it comes to infrastructure, tourism and funding applications. With luck, and not a small dose of good management, this could be a way to revive the old Mar Menor Tourist Association but with a broader remit, and also to continue to ensure effective protection for the Mar Menor lagoon itself, the heart of that community.

Meanwhile, over at Cabo de Palos, the famous lighthouse has just been granted the highest level of heritage protection in Spain, being made a Bien de Interés Cultural. This means that not only is its impressive 51-metre tower safe from the ravages of time, but its historical, scientific and technical significance is also being preserved. Originally built in the 16th century to ward off pirate attacks, the current structure has been standing tall since 1865. Now officially recognised as a Site of Cultural Interest, the faro’s future is secure, even if you still can’t go inside for a tour.

Cartagena is also the setting for a rather less celebratory event: a protest against the potential repeal of a law protecting LGTBIQ+ rights in the Region. The far-right party Vox has been pushing to scrap Law 8/2016, arguing that it enables minors to access gender-affirming treatments and forces ‘woke politics’ into schools. Unsurprisingly, activists aren’t taking this lying down, with a demonstration planned for this coming Tuesday.

If that wasn’t enough drama for the area, just a short drive away in San Javier, a man was spotted casually driving his car through town with a donkey chained to a moving cart behind it. Concerned onlookers recorded the spectacle, leading to police intervention and an investigation by the Guardia Civil’s nature protection unit. Authorities are now deciding whether this qualifies as animal abuse (I’ll cut it short for them: it does) and if the driver violated the Animal Welfare Law.

🚨 MALTRATO ANIMAL EN SAN JAVIER 🚨

Un hombre arrastra un burro con una cadena de hierro por las calles de #SanJavier, atado a su coche en marcha.

El #SEPRONA investiga si es un delito de maltrato animal. Exigimos justicia y que caiga todo el peso de la ley. ¡Basta ya! ✊🐾 pic.twitter.com/GaFYkRJbxo
— Red de Protección Animal - IUVRM (@animalistasiurm) February 18, 2025

Another crime story over in Puerto de Mazarrón, where several tourists looking for a relaxing holiday rental found themselves duped by a group of scammers instead. The Guardia Civil busted a criminal network running a fraudulent holiday rental scheme, with at least a dozen confirmed victims and a likely longer list of unsuspecting holidaymakers who paid for non-existent accommodation.

The scammers were thorough, using stolen property photos and quite convincing fake listings to lure victims in. They raked in around €5,000 before the authorities caught up with them. This is just one holiday rental calamity that has lost holidaymakers money in the local Mazarrón area, and is probably not the one you’re thinking it is, but because this seems to be becoming something of a trend, the police have issued a warning to the public that if their holiday apartment deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

On a brighter note, Murcia is set to become a major hub for racket sports thanks to local celebrity Carlos Alcaraz and his ambitious Tennis City project. Slated to open in 2026, the new complex in central Murcia will feature top-notch tennis and pickleball courts and other recreational areas, while aiming to promote sport in the community through training programmes, competitions and educational initiatives.

But at Roda Golf & Beach Resort, property owners are facing a contentious decision this weekend: whether or not to fund the new Roda Golf Plaza new padel courts out of their own pockets. The proposal includes a café and public facilities, but residents are questioning why they should foot the bill for something that will be open to everyone. Nearby resorts have managed to fund similar projects through private investment rather than owner contributions, making Roda’s situation all the more frustrating for those against the idea. Why couldn’t Carlos Alcaraz just come in and build his Tennis City at Roda and everyone would be much happier?

Talking of things to make you happy, this is the last weekend you can go and see the Nao Trinidad replica ship in the Port of Mazarrón and it’s also Squid Week in Totana, for all you fans of calamari. This weekend also marks the start of Carnaval celebrations, and while most places won’t hold their main carnival parades until next weekend – the first of March – Terra Natura has activities for children on both weekends, including facepainting, bouncy castles and more.

There is also a free guided tour of the old hydroplane air base in Los Alcázares on Sunday which has attracted a lot of attention, so much so that it is already fully booked. It’s in Spanish and the town’s tourist board runs these free tours every month, but we’re trying to convince them to start offering the tour in English, too. Bear with us and stay tuned…

Don’t forget you can always check our EVENTS DIARY for more events and activities coming up soon in the Region of Murcia:

Spain

The breaking news this week was that Luis Rubiales has finally been sentenced for that infamous kiss on Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory. After nine sessions in court, the judge ruled that the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had indeed committed sexual assault, and would be made to pay a fine of €20 per day for 18 months. That adds up to a grand total of €10,800, far less than the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence the prosecution had sought.

No one was surprised by the guilty verdict. With the global backlash and months of public scrutiny, there was never really a chance he’d walk away unscathed. A not-guilty ruling would have sparked an outrage that Spain and its judicial system couldn’t afford. This was as predictable as it gets.

The trial featured nearly 20 witnesses, including Hermoso’s brother, Rafa, who testified that Vilda tried to pressure her into downplaying the incident, suggesting that cooperation would be “good for her career”.

Rubiales, for his part, stuck to his defence, claiming the kiss was completely consensual: “She squeezed me very hard under the armpits, lifted me up, and when I landed, I asked, ‘Can I give you a kiss?’ and she said ‘Ok’.” Which is a very creative version of events, considering we all saw the video of the kiss and nothing like that exchange seemed to take place.

Regardless, the case has become a defining moment in Spanish football, underlining the ongoing battle for respect and equality in the sport. Whether the permanently smug-looking Rubiales has learned anything from it is another question entirely.

More explosive Spain news from Mount Teide, a volcano in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which has been dormant for more than a century but where recent activity has sparked concerns about a potential eruption. The volcano last erupted in 1909 and, while it’s been quiet since then, Spanish scientists – as well as some nervous neighbours – are now on high alert.

According to Luca D’Auria, director of the Volcanic Surveillance Area of the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (INVOLCAN), there is no doubt that there has been unusual seismic activity and an increase in gas emissions in the area since 2016.

However, he’s quick to reassure us that “today there is no reason to be alarmed, nothing indicates that there will be an eruption in the short term.”

The experts are keeping a close eye on the situation, but they’re not expecting an eruption anytime soon. In fact, it would take a significant increase in seismic activity – we’re talking an earthquake with a magnitude of 4 or more on the Richter scale – to trigger an eruption.

So far, the activity has been relatively minor, with earthquakes measuring only 1 or 2 on the scale, which D’Auria describes as “almost imperceptible micro-earthquakes”.

That being said, there are two possible scenarios that could lead to an eruption. The first is a gradual increase in earthquake intensity and the second is a sudden spike in seismic activity, similar to what happened in La Palma in 2021.

As D’Auria puts it, “If we use statistics based on the data we have, the probability of an eruption this year would be around 2%, in the next 5 years, 40% and in 100 years, it would be over 90%. But this is speculation, so anything can happen.”

The Canary Islands Government is urging everyone to remain calm, pointing out that the experts don’t see any signs of an imminent eruption. However, they’re also acknowledging that the islands are, after all, a volcanic region. For people living close to Mount Teide, it’s hard not to feel a little concerned.

If you’re not concerned about moving to a possible earthquake and volcano zone, then listen up! The Spanish government is now accepting applications for foreign language assistants to work in state schools during the 2025-26 academic year and for the first time ever, UK citizens are eligible to apply.

A total of 750 positions are available for conversation assistants from various English-speaking countries and other partner nations.

In a significant development, citizens of the UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta and Switzerland can now apply directly through their country’s education authority.

In addition, applicants from Australia, Canada, the US, New Zealand and several other countries with existing agreements with Spain are also welcome to apply.

So, what’s involved in the role? Language assistants work 14-16 hours a week in a Spanish state school, supporting the teaching of English or other languages. In return, they receive a monthly stipend of €800 (or €1,000 if based in the pricier Madrid) to help cover living expenses.

The programme runs from October 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, and the application process is now open with a deadline of March 26, 2025. New applicants from the UK will need to apply through the designated UK body before gaining access to Spain’s online application platform.

For more information on the application process, required documents and country-specific details, you can contact the relevant email address – either auxiliares.conv@educacion.gob.es for UK applicants or auxiliares.extra@educacion.gob.es for US applicants.

Alicante

In a major crackdown on crackdown on cybercrime, the Spanish authorities have apprehended a 20-year-old Norwegian national in the picturesque Costa Blanca town of Rojales, acting on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Norwegian authorities.

The suspect, who is living in Spain, is accused of masterminding a complex web of deceit that ensnared dozens of victims in Norway, leaving a trail of financial devastation in his wake.

The arrest was the result of a meticulous operation by Spain’s National Police, who worked in tandem with Norwegian investigators to track down the fugitive. The breakthrough came when Norwegian authorities pinpointed the suspect’s location in Rojales, and the European Arrest Warrant was swiftly communicated to the Alicante National Police through the International Cooperation Section of the Alicante Prosecutor’s Office.

When the suspect emerged from his home, Spanish officers were waiting and he was taken into custody. He stands accused of concocting an elaborate scheme to swindle users of an online application, promising goods that never materialised. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

He is also suspected of orchestrating a series of sophisticated phishing scams, crafting fake messages that appeared to come from official Norwegian agencies, including the Labour and Welfare Administration and the Tax Administration. These messages were designed to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive information, which was then used to plunder their bank accounts.

The total losses from these scams are estimated to be at least 8.4 million Norwegian kroner, equivalent to approximately €720,000. If convicted, the suspect could face a prison sentence of up to six years in Norway.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old Irish national was caught red-handed at Alicante airport this week attempting to smuggle a massive haul of cannabis onto a Ryanair flight bound for Liverpool.

The would-be trafficker’s plans were foiled when eagle-eyed security staff spotted the contraband during a routine X-ray scan of his luggage. A thorough search of his suitcase revealed 18 kilos of cannabis concealed in vacuum-sealed bags with a street value of approximately €200,000.

The suspect was brought before a judge in Elche, who granted him bail under stringent conditions, including a ban on travel and a requirement to report to court every two weeks.

Away from crime, after years of frustration for drivers in Orihuela Costa, there’s finally a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The long-awaited plans to upgrade the N-332 dual carriageway at Torrevieja have taken a significant step forward this week, with the Environmental Impact Report giving the project a clean bill of health.

This crucial milestone means that the Ministry of Transport can now push ahead with the next phase of the development, which aims to tackle the notorious traffic congestion that plagues the area.

The stretch of road in question, which runs along the outskirts of Torrevieja, is a mere few kilometres long, but its single lane in each direction makes it a major bottleneck, particularly during the summer months when tourist traffic surges.

The long-awaited project, which carries a price tag of €55 million, will see the number of lanes doubled along a 4.47-kilometre section of the bypass, stretching from the CV-95 junction to Avenida Rosa Mazón Valero.

With around 40,000 vehicles using the Torrevieja bypass every day – a number that can swell to 50,000 during peak season – the need for an upgrade is obvious. And while there’s still no firm start date for the construction work, the fact that the project has cleared this major hurdle is a welcome development for local residents and commuters alike.

Campervans are always a bit of a contentious issue in Spain. In theory, any type of motorhome is allowed to park anywhere a car can and there’s no problem with its owners sleeping inside, as long as they don’t ‘artificially’ extend the size of the vehicle by putting our tables and chairs, for example.

But there’s always a few who spoil it for everyone, and there are growing concerns up and down the country about campers parking up in unauthorised spots and not cleaning up after themselves.

In Alicante, the authorities in Teulada Moraira have taken decisive action to tackle the growing problem of unauthorised motorhome parking and environmental degradation.

In response to the increasing incidence of motorhomes using public car parks and private lands for camping, resulting in illicit waste disposal and damage to the environment, the Town Hall has unveiled a series of measures to regulate motorhome parking and protect the municipality’s natural beauty.

At the heart of the initiative is a revision of the municipal ordinance, which will give the Local Police more power to act against rogue parking and the ability to issue fines if necessary. This move aims to strike a balance between accommodating the needs of motorhome users and preserving the town’s public spaces and environment.

To prevent campervans from misusing municipal car parks, the town council will install height-restricting frames at the entrances to these areas, ensuring that only vehicles of a certain height can access them. Motorhome users have access to designated areas for parking and camping, equipped with the necessary amenities.

Andalucía

Granada airport is one of the country’s first airports to reveal its summer flight schedule, and it’s not all good news… Let’s just say, if you were hoping to jet off to London or Paris, you might want to start looking at other options. The airport is losing both of these key international routes for this summer, leaving it with just one solitary international connection – Amsterdam.

The Paris route, operated by Vueling, will keep running twice a week until June 20, but after that, it’s lights out for the summer. It will briefly return in mid-September, only to be permanently axed at the end of October. This decision was announced in Seville as part of Vueling’s grand Andalusian expansion, but Granada was sadly left out in the cold. Local authorities had managed to extend the Paris connection by a couple of months, but beyond October, there’s no indication that it will ever return.

And then there’s London – or rather, there isn’t. The temporary London Gatwick service that ran in summer 2024 won’t be making a comeback. This route had already been scrapped once before, in September 2023, as part of Vueling’s internal restructuring, and its brief resurrection last year was apparently just a tease. For now, anyone hoping to get to the UK directly will have to head to Málaga or Seville, both of which continue to expand their flight networks while Granada gets left behind.

So, what does that leave us with? A grand total of nine flight routes for summer 2025, mostly domestic. There’s Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Bilbao, Tenerife North, Las Palmas, Madrid, Asturias and Melilla, plus the lone international holdout – Amsterdam, which just happens to kick off on the same day the Paris route disappears.

While travel disappointments are one thing, a truly grim story has emerged from the Costa del Sol, where a 90-year-old British woman tragically starved to death in her home. Her son, 63, who was also her primary carer, passed away first, leaving his mother unable to fend for herself. Social services had been supporting them and raised the alarm after not hearing from them for several days.

When police forced their way into the home in Alhaurín el Grande, they found both bodies. Authorities say there’s no foul play involved, just a desperately sad situation. A similar case played out recently in La Marina on the Costa Blanca, where another British couple, living in extreme vulnerability, was found dead in their home. Both cases have shone a harsh light on the reality that many elderly expats face when living abroad if they do not have the right level of support. Please keep in regular contact with your neighbours and let’s all look after each other, okay?

On a slightly less tragic but quite bizarre note, an elderly woman in Granada had an unexpected visitor when a naked man forced his way into her home, pushed her aside and proceeded to make himself very comfortable. While the terrified woman ran into the street screaming, her unwelcome guest helped himself to one of her dressing gowns, cooked himself a meal and settled in on the sofa as if he owned the place.

Neighbours quickly called emergency services, and the police arrived to take the intruder away, but not before the incident left the whole community shaken – and, let’s be honest, a little confused. This particular break-in had a surreal edge to it, perhaps due to some mental health issue, but at least that was as far as it went. Things could have ended up a lot worse there than just a soiled bathrobe.

Of course, this is not to say that we should all be scared witless of strange break-ins and be suspicious of our neighbours. Rather, it is all the more reason to get to know your neighbours personally, to look out for them, to engender that sense of community we all desire by creating it ourselves. There’s never a motive not to be courteous, kind and compassionate, to think of the trials that others may be going through and to temper any harshness we may hold in our hearts with loving care towards our neighbour. Sure, there are plenty of reasons to despair for the state of the world if you look for them, but the best remedy is to be the creative force for goodness and laughter from within our own selves.

Have a great weekend!

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