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Inside Spain: What would it be like with fewer immigrants?
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:15:04There’s this hilarious and very telling skit by Spanish comedian José Mota that’s doing the rounds on social media.
In it he plays a Spanish Prime Minister who is discussing with his cabinet members the immediate deportation of all of Spain’s immigrants, just as Vox actually proposed last year.
“Okay, so the plan is to kick them all out,” Mota says.
“Hang on, not the Colombian lady that cares for my parents, because what would I do otherwise?” one cabinet member exclaims.
“The immigrants that take care of the elderly can stay,” the Spanish premier says, “but all the rest - out!”
“What about the waiters?” another politician asks, “I have a restaurant which can’t survive without staff”.
“The ones in hospitality can stay, but all the rest out,” Mota repeats.
The gag continues until the Spanish PM gives a press conference informing reporters that his government will kick out all immigrants “except for those working as carers, those who pay taxes, those working in hospitality, the builders, the footballers, the ones working under the table so we can pay them less, the migrants working in the fields, the ones setting up restaurants with cheap tasty food, the bachata dance teachers…”
So what would actually happen to Spain if there was a drastic reduction in immigration?
This is the question that a new report by the Spanish government’s National Office for Foresight and Strategy (ONPE) attempted to answer for the first time this week.
The report calculates the impact of reducing migration flows by 30 percent until 2075.
Experts analysed various indicators - from population and labour, to taxes and welfare - and the outlook was grim on all fronts.
To begin with, the Spanish population would shrink to 40 million inhabitants rather than the current 49 million. That’s 15 million fewer people than if migration stayed as it is now.
The majority of this lost population would be people of working age. This would mean that Spain's potential workforce would drop from 33 million in 2075 to 24 million, barely two million more than it has now.
Agriculture, hospitality, education, and healthcare would be hardest hit, four sectors which are fundamental to Spain's productive fabric.
This population loss would cause the closure of 220,000 farms, approximately 30 percent of the total operating in Spain. And with less production, a rise in the price of fruits and vegetables would be a given.
Something similar would happen in the hospitality industry. The ONPE estimates that 89,000 bars could disappear without migrant waiters and other staff who represent a significant portion of the workforce in this sector.
In terms of healthcare, 64,000 specialists would cease to exist. Despite the potential population decline, doctors would still have to treat on average 4 percent more patients. Without the current rates of immigration, the number of caregivers would also be 28 percent lower.
This is particularly worrying keeping in mind Spain’s increasingly aging population, with more than 2.7 million elderly people expected to require daily care by 2075.
The impact on education in Spain would also be catastrophic, resulting in 50,000 fewer classrooms - 32,000 in primary schools and another 18,000 in secondary schools.
READ ALSO: The myths surrounding Spain's mass regularisation of migrants
As for the macroeconomic data, the most obvious effect would be on Spain’s Gross Domestic Product, which in 2075 would be 22 percent lower than if immigration continues at the rate of recent years, according to the ONPE report.
Logically, fewer workers would mean smaller contributions to the Spanish Social Security pot.
So where’s the money going to come from to pay for all those pensions? From the pockets of those who would get to stay in Spain, of course. Each worker would have to contribute approximately €2,000 more each year.
Spain would have to increase its corporate tax revenue by 14 percent or its VAT revenue by 6 percent.
So there you have it. Even though many in Spain long for the old days where the only surnames you’d hear would be Díaz, Rodríguez and García, an España without enough new blood to work and pay taxes would clearly be weaker.
You only have to look at what happened to ‘Empty Spain’ to realise that.
READ ALSO: Foreigners give 'Empty Spain' a new lease of life
Most dangerous roads in Spain revealed as Easter exodus brings millions back on the road
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:05:14The 2026 Easter holidays have filled the roads from the biggest cities with cars full of families heading to the coasts for some rest and relaxation during Spain’s first big holiday of the year since Christmas. Many hours of negotiating curvy motorways, bottlenecks in traffic and answering “Are we nearly there yet?” The danger of a prang or sudden hard brake on a long drive is at its highest during what the Spanish refer to as “operación salida”.
A major new report highlights alarming black spots where accidents cluster far above national averages. For a driver, it’s good to know on which roads to be at one’s most attentive.
295 kilometres flagged for extreme danger
Analysis by Automovilistas Europeos Asociados (AEA) has identified 295 kilometres of conventional roads and dual carriageways across 67 routes in 45 Spanish provinces where drivers need to be on the lookout. These stretches recorded an average danger index at least ten times higher than the national average between 2020 and 2025. Authorities counted 1,752 accidents resulting in 2,497 victims in those zones alone. The statistics go to show some serious safety challenges despite overall improvements in Spanish road infrastructure. Conventional roads continue to pose particular threats compared with high-capacity motorways.
Kilometre zero of A-77a tops the accident league.
Data singles out kilometre zero (the start) of the A-77a dual carriageway in Alicante as the single most incident-heavy location on Spain’s state road network. Officials logged a shocking 93 accidents and 141 victims there over the five-year period. No other stretch matches this raw volume of crashes and injuries.
Nearby sections follow closely in severity. Kilometre 17 of the T-11 near Tarragona saw 79 accidents and 113 victims, while kilometre 15 on the same route recorded 85 crashes and 103 people affected. Kilometre 12 of the A-55 near Mos in Galicia also ranks high, with 57 accidents and 95 victims. But, Alicante Province is still not the worst place to drive in Spain.
Asturias’ roads show the highest relative risk.
Certain conventional roads stand out for their extreme danger index rather than sheer numbers. Stretches at kilometres 55 and 59 on the N-632, linking Villaviciosa and Gijon in Asturias, register a peril level 167 times above the national average. Such elevated ratios signal serious design or usage problems that demand urgent attention.
Toll motorways harbour hidden dangers.
High-capacity toll roads also feature worrying black spots. AEA researchers pinpointed around 100 motorway sections with danger indices at least double the national figure of 4.4. These areas produced 502 accidents and 846 victims, mostly minor in outcome.
Particularly notable remains kilometre 17 of the AP-41 toll motorway in Toledo province. Its danger index reaches 74.3, exceeding the national benchmark by a factor of 16. Heavy traffic volumes combined with specific layout issues likely contribute to repeated incidents.
Call for urgent action on persistent black spots
Experts at AEA compiled the findings using the official Mean Danger Index drawn from state road data for 2020-2025. The organisation urges drivers to exercise extra caution in identified zones while pressing regional and national authorities to eliminate longstanding hazards through targeted engineering works, improved signage, and speed management.
Spain maintains strong overall road safety records in Europe, yet these concentrated high-risk pockets reveal where further investment could save lives. Motorists benefit from staying alert, respecting limits, and planning routes around known trouble areas.
For those unaccustomed to driving on Spanish roads, they may appear hair-raising to some drivers, but they are far from the most dangerous in Europe in 2026.
Most dangerous countries to drive in Europe
Top 10 European Countries with Highest Road Fatality Rates (approx. 2024 data, deaths per million inhabitants)
Serbia ' 78. Tops lists as Europe’s most dangerous for driving overall. High rates reflect busy rural routes and challenging highways like the Ibar Highway.
Romania ' 77 (2024) / around 68 (preliminary 2025) ' Frequently ranks among the worst in the EU, with poor road quality in many areas contributing to elevated risks, especially on rural stretches.
Bulgaria ' 74 (2024) / around 71 (2025) Consistently high, with southeastern regions showing particularly elevated local rates well above the EU average.
Greece ' around 64. Has seen some increases or fluctuations, placing it in the upper levels of riskier European nations.
Croatia ' around 62'67. Groups with other high-rate southeastern countries in both EU and broader European assessments.
Portugal ' around 60. Appears in extended high-risk groupings for southern Europe.
Italy ' around 51. Higher than the EU average despite advanced infrastructure in parts of the country.
Other notable higher-than-average countries include certain years’ data for nations like Latvia, Lithuania, or Poland, though they generally fall below the top cluster. Non-EU countries such as Montenegro or Moldova sometimes show elevated rates in broader WHO or global statistics, but comprehensive pan-European comparisons focus heavily on the above.
Whenever, wherever? Bitter row erupts in Madrid over planned concert residency at ‘Shakira Stadium’
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:00:00A BITTER political row has broken out in Madrid over a series of planned late summer concerts by international superstar artist Shakira.
The Colombian singer is set to descend on the Spanish capital for a nine-day residency in September to bring an end to her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour, a 103-show strong live run that has already raked in more than €360 million in revenue.
She is set to perform on September 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 7, and October 2, 3 and 4 at the so-called ‘Shakira Stadium’ in the city’s Villaverde district, a temporary pop-up venue designed solely for the singer’s shows.
But the string of gigs ' and choice of arena location ' has provoked a rift between the central government, Madrid’s regional authorities and local residents.
The government’s delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martin, wrote to city mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida to formally request that he abstains from authorising large-scale events at the venue until safety for attendees can be guaranteed.
In a letter sent on Monday, he urged the conservative Partido Popular (PP) mayor to ‘reconsider’ his position, citing ‘recent precedents’ that have cast doubt on the site’s ability to ensure accessibility, mobility and safety are effectively in place.
READ MORE: Shakira: ‘I was publicly burned at the stake by the Spanish tax authorities’
These include issues at the MadCool music festival and a concert by popular British musician Harry Styles, both previously hosted there.
Madrid struck back robustly, with the regional minister for housing, transport and infrastructure accusing Martin of being a ‘pawn’ of prime minister Pedro Sanchez.
“I guarantee that these concerts will take place, and they will do so with all the necessary safety measures ' some of which fall under his responsibility,” said Jorge Rodrigo.
Caught in the crossfire are local residents living nearby, who have alerted the government to apparent serious structural failures at the site.
“It’s the wrong location, without proper access, and it only works by shutting down the entire industrial estate ' something taxpayers pay for, not the venue itself,” said Gema Martin, an activist with Stop MadCool.
She added: “The so-called stadium is just a metal structure that will likely amplify noise. Noise limits will be exceeded, as always, and neither the council nor the promoter will do anything about it.”
But the Shakira residency is set to get ahead anyway, with Live Nation ' organisers of the gigs ' stressing that they believe the venue ‘works very well’.
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2 bedroom Flat for sale in Cotobro ' € 675,000
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:01:20Facing southeast and located on the first floor of a beachfront building on the quiet Cotobro Beach, with a huge terrace and very pleasant views… The promenade is very charming and ideal for walking or cycling, 2.5 km from the centre of Almuñécar. As we enter the building, we immediately notice that this block, despite its age, or perhaps because of it, is going to offer us a very special flat. The interior of the property: on entering, to the right, there is a bathroom with shower and next to it a small single bedroom. On the opposite side is the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and… See full property details
Cotobro, Granada
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What to do in Malaga during Holy Week: new musical, gourmet hamburgers and free tours
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 14:05:09Thursday and Friday The Philharmonic Orchestra at Teatro CervantesThe Philharmonic Orchestra is performing this Thursday and Friday as part of the 2025-26 season programme. The recitals start at 8pm and feature Easter Oratorio, BWV249 by Johann Sebastian Bach and Requiem, K.626 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Ticket prices range from 12 to 36 euros.Friday to Sunday Tarzan: The MusicalIn Victorian London, the Porter family gathers to hear the legend of Tarzan - the boy raised by gorillas in a magical and mysterious jungle. Isabella, the wise nurse and shaman who has cared for Jane since her childhood, narrates this story full of magic and secrets. When William Clayton announces the possibility of returning to the island that marked their destiny, Jane, Archi and young Charlie embark on an adventure full of challenges and discoveries.This is how Tarzan: The Musical starts. The musical is coming to Sohrlin Andalucía from 27 to 29 March and then again from 10 to 12 April. The performances are at 8pm on Friday, 5pm and 8.30pm on Saturday and and 5pm on Sunday. The duration of the show is two hours and tickets start from 45 euros.Friday Flamenco in SohoThe Flamenco en el Soho cycle welcomes Manuel Lombo this Friday, with his show Piano y Voz, which offers an intimate experience. It starts at 8pm, with prices from 30 euros up.This weekend ConcertsMalaga-born singer Pablo López comes to Teatro Cervantes this weekend with El niño del espacio and performances at 8pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday. Ticket prices range from 24 to 90 euros. Malaga band Lord Malvo is performing at La Cochera on Friday, presenting their second album, Cuánto Cuesta. Líder J is performing at La Trinchera on Friday; Ángel Stanich Band on Saturday; and Compota de Manana on Sunday. Paris 15 is hosting Paula Mattheus on Friday and Samuraï on Saturday.Until 5 April The Champions Burger in MarbellaThe La Caridad estate in San Pedro Alcántara is hosting the All Star tour of The Champions Burger - the largest gastronomic event dedicated to gourmet burgers in Spain. The event takes place until 5 April, bringing together more than 15 hamburger restaurants touring the country, in addition to local offers. The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 6pm to midnight and Friday to Sunday from 12pm to midnight. More detailsFriday Record-breaking torrija in Cuevas de San MarcosCuevas de San Marcos is looking for a new record-breaking torrija (French toast), with a 15-metre-long torrija, five more than last year. Paseo Federico García Lorca is hosting this event at 5pm. More detailsUntil 5 April Ajobacalao Route in Vélez-MálagaVélez-Málaga's Ruta del Ajobacalao pays tribute to one of the most representative and traditional dishes of the town's gastronomy. The event is taking place until 5 April, including a prize of 200 euros for the best ajobacalao and a special mention for the best dish. More detailsSaturday Open Day at the PompidouThe Pompidou centre is celebrating its eleventh anniversary on 28 March with an open day. Visitors will be able to visit the temporary exhibition AM CB. Annette Messager and Christian Boltanski, which brings together some 30 works by two artists whose creative relationship has left a mark on contemporary art. There will be guided visits at 12pm, 1pm, 5pm and 6pm. There will also be 'flash' visits to the semi-permanent collection To Open Eyes. Miradas de artista at 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm. The exhibition takes visitors on a sensory journey through the 20th and 21st centuries, establishing connections between works from different periods, techniques and cultural contexts. In the Espacio Joven, children can enjoy La casa mágica and Juego de volúmenes, in 30-minute rounds from 12.30pm to 2pm and from 5pm to 7.30pm. Visitors will also be able to discover The Interpreter on the main staircase, created by urban artist Imon Boy for MAF-Málaga de Festival 2026.Saturday Tenmood Weekend at the Miramar hotelThe Gran Hotel Miramar is hosting the Tenmood fashion show on Saturday, bringing together established designers (such as Jesús Segado, Susana Hidalgo and Antonia Galiano from Malaga) and emerging talents and professionals from the sector. More detailsThis weekend Alessandra García at CánovasAlessandra García will pay a tribute to her career at Teatro Cánovas on Friday. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are 20 euros. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday La Pasión in CasarabonelaOnce again, this year Casarabonela is hosting La Pasión inside the church of Santiago Apóstol at 8pm on Palm Sunday, Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday. The donation to attend is 12 euros, 15 if purchased at the box office on the same day.
Granada province's water supply guaranteed for at least two years
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 13:54:58In the first week of February, heavy rains left unusual images all over Granada province. The storms had many negative consequences. Fields flooded, bridges and roads destroyed, residents isolated and evacuated from their homes for safety reasons or due to damage to their houses. Those affected are now processing the aid they are entitled to, to be able to move on and the authorities are working to repair the affected infrastructure. But there is another, more positive side to these days of heavy rain: the end of the drought and the guarantee of water for at least two years and even three in many areas.The province's reservoirs are at around 65 per cent of their capacity, almost double the level of a year ago and data shows that water is not going to be an issue in the coming months; the endless grey days have their positive effects.Related story estandar No No Malaga waters: committee to declare end of drought for provincial countryside after five-year crisisThe drought reports of the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation (CHG), the basin to which most of the province belongs, clearly show the evolution that has taken place. If we compare the situation on 30 January with that of 28 February, the differences are evident. Almost the entire basin is now at a normal level What does this mean? That three years' supply is guaranteed. However, despite everything the CHG has not reached the green level that indicates that everything is under control. It is in what the Confederation calls \"pre-alert\", a term which, despite how it sounds, is not excessively worrying. These are the Vega Alta, Vega Media and Hoya de Guadix. The CHG explains that this designation, the second step of four (the first being the best situation), means that the service is guaranteed for at least two years. What is more, it asserts that the melting snow of ice on the Sierra Nevada will also bring water to the area and therefore back to normal levels. Only the Hoya de Guadix would remain yellow. Even so, its situation is much better than at other times, despite being an area which traditionally suffers from drought.The forecast is that when the snow and ice on the Sierra Nevada melts, the guarantee will be three years.What are the real effects of this improvement in water resources? One of the most important will be for farmers. Last year in the Vega de Granada they had to prohibit the second crop because the water shortage meant that the authorised discharge allocations, i.e. the water allowed to be used for irrigation, were low. Now, pending the first meeting (which will probably be in April), everything indicates, according to the CHG, that there will be no restrictions for the countryside.Just a year ago alerts and even drought emergencies dominated the map. and the entire confederation was in a pre-alert situation and in the case of La Hoya, the driest area of the province, it was in emergency, i.e. there were not enough resources to cope with the demand.What is happening in the Guadalquivir basin is also being repeated in the Mediterranean basins, including other areas of Granada such as the Alpujarra, the Lecrin Valley and the Coast. There, a couple of weeks ago, the drought commission also decreed a situation of normality. So, it seems that in 2026 the lack of water will not be a problem to worry about.La Hoya de Guadix, the driest area in the whole basin. Despite the rains, in the Hoya de Guadix area the situation is in pre-alert. The melting snow and ice will take the Vega Alta out of this warning, but not this other area. This time last year La Hoya was in emergency. What is happening? The atlas of desertification in Spain drawn up by the Spanish National Research Centre (CSIC) and the University of Alicante, with the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, shows that this is a particularly arid area. Rainfall is lower. This creates a spectacular landscape, but also a drier climate than in other parts of the province. In the data of the historical series it can be seen that only in March 2019 (the first year in which the record can be consulted) the situation of water shortage was better than the current one.
Spain Easter: traffic authorities forecast 17 million journeys during Semana Santa
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 12:03:56Spain's traffic authority (DGT) forecasts that there will be more than 17 million long-distance road journeys this Easter. This great national exodus officially starts at 3pm on Friday, 27 March, and lasts until midnight on Monday, 6 April - a public holiday for the Balearic Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Navarre and Valencia.To manage the flow of vehicles, the DGT has set up a special operation in two phases. The first involves the first weekend, from this Friday afternoon until midnight on 29 March (Sunday), with a forecast of 4.3 million road journeys. The second phase runs from Wednesday, 1 April, to Monday, 6 April.According to the DGT, safety is the central focus of this operation, especially after 27 people died in 26 road accidents in Spain last Easter. The main focus is on motorcyclists, as eight of the deaths last year involved motorcyclists. The DGT urges the population to follow traffic rules at all times.Among the technological innovations of 2026, the consolidation of the V-16 beacon light stands out. Since 1 January, it has been mandatory to use this flashing light in the event of an incident to warn other road users. Its importance lies in its connectivity, as the DGT 3.0 platform receives an average of 2,700 incident reports daily through these devices, allowing for virtual alerts to other drivers via navigation systems and road message signs.The 011 information hotline has also recently been upgraded with artificial intelligence and natural language processing capabilities. These improvements allow for the automatic transcription of calls, the identification of common non-technical terms and the analysis of the user's emotional state to optimise the service. The system now provides assistance in Spanish, English, Catalan, Galician and Basque and has expanded the subcategories of incidents to include fires and floods.Regarding enforcement resources, the DGT has the full availability of its traffic management officers. Compliance with traffic regulations will be monitored using fixed and mobile speed cameras, cameras to check for seatbelts and mobile phone use and aerial surveillance of the roads daily.To ease traffic flow at the busiest points, authorities will set up reversible and additional lanes using signs and cones. Although these measures improve overall circulation, the DGT acknowledges that drivers travelling in the direction that loses a lane may see them as a disadvantage, so it has strengthened alternative routes, which are available on its website.Additionally, roadworks will be suspended, sporting events will be limited and lorry traffic will be restricted on specific sections of road and at specific times. The DGT calls for the early planning of trips, which can benefit from the traffic authorities' official channels @informacionDGT and @DGTes, the radio and television news bulletins, which provide updated information. The most important traffic advice remains: do not consume alcohol or drugs before driving, respect speed limits and avoid distractions such as mobile phone use.
Vélez-Málaga asks for more Police and Guardia Civil following recent crime wave
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 13:50:44Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has called on the central government to urgently reinforce the National Police and Guardia Civil presence following the wave of burglaries in recent weeks in the villages of Almayate and Valle-Niza . The motion, which was passed at a full council meeting on Thursday 26 March, calls on the State to increase the number of staff, as well as provide more material resources for the security forces, in the face of a situation which, according to the town hall, has generated \"fear and alarm\" among the population.The deputy mayor of Almayate and Valle-Niza, Jesús María Claros, said during the meeting that in recent weeks there have been \"constant burglaries\" in the area, to the point that \"there are families who do not feel safe even in their own homes\".Among the measures proposed, the town hall has requested additional resources including adequate vehicles, as well as the use of helicopters and drones to improve control of the area. \"Without these tools, the police cannot act with the speed and coverage that the situation requires,\" said the mayor, Jesús Lupiáñez. The call comes against a backdrop of growing neighbourhood concern in these western parts of the municipality, where there have been reports of burglaries in homes and agricultural land. In recent weeks, residents have called for greater police presence and deterrent measures to prevent further crime.
Benejúzar Extends Free Telecare Service to All Residents Over 75 Living Alone
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 17:44:42Benejúzar Town Council has announced the expansion of its telecare service to all residents aged over 75 who live alone in the municipality and are not covered by Spain’s dependency care system.
The measure is intended to strengthen social support for older residents by creating a faster, more preventive and more accessible local assistance network for those who do not require permanent care.
Under the scheme, eligible residents will be able to access the telecare service free of charge. The council says the initiative is designed to improve both safety and quality of life, while promoting personal autonomy and allowing older people to remain in their own homes with greater confidence and peace of mind. The programme also aims to combine social and health support through a broader, more integrated approach focused on wellbeing, independence and companionship.
Social Welfare Councillor Paula García Ortuño said the measure marked an important step towards ensuring that no older person living alone feels unprotected. She said the council wanted elderly residents to know they could rely on a free and effective service in the event of any incident, adding that their peace of mind and safety were a priority. She also stressed the importance of prevention and of providing resources that allow people to continue living at home with dignity, autonomy and confidence.
The telecare system works through equipment connected to the user’s telephone line, allowing direct contact with a response centre at any time of day, 365 days a year. The service is activated simply by pressing a button carried by the user. Once alerted, a specialist team follows an established protocol to assess the situation and, if necessary, mobilise additional human or material resources.
The system is intended for older people who do not need continuous or in-person care, but who may require rapid assistance in situations such as falls, medical emergencies, domestic accidents, or episodes of distress and loneliness. In this way, users are able to request help immediately and receive support tailored to their circumstances.
Mayor Vicente Cases said the initiative reflected the council’s wider aim of improving residents’ quality of life, ensuring dignified and rapid care for those most in need, and strengthening local policies based on prevention, innovation and emotional wellbeing. He described telecare as a practical, accessible and adaptable resource that enables older residents to continue living at home more safely, actively and independently, while also giving reassurance to their families.
INSTALLATION OF AI TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON N-332 AT PUNTA PRIMA ROUNDABOUT SET TO CAUSE MAJOR DISRUPTION FROM MONDAY
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 17:50:41Not everyone is convinced the AI system will provide the answer. Some traffic and road safety experts have reportedly questioned its likely effectiveness, arguing that the real issue lies not only with the roundabout itself but with the wider structural limitations of the N-332 as it passes through Torrevieja.
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