The rise in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East sent the cost of living soaring in Catalonia and Spain in March, the first month with the war's effects, according to consumer price index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) data published this Tuesday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The war in Iran and the resulting increase in energy costs have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has notably increased compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The war in Iran and the resulting energy price increase have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has become notably more expensive compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The US and Israeli attacks on Iran are already impacting people's wallets. The situation will worsen the longer the conflict lasts and the longer it takes to resolve the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas passes. "Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, but we do know that the risk is very high," says Javier Díaz-Giménez, a professor at IESE Business School. The problem is that we are in a context of uncertainty and volatility, adds Pedro Aznar, an economics professor at ESADE Business School.

As the hours pass, more details are emerging about the measures the Spanish government is considering to address the energy crisis stemming from the war in the Middle East. While on Thursday, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo hinted at specific aid for the sectors hardest hit by rising fuel prices—agriculture and road transport, among others—on Friday, the Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, raised the possibility of reducing the government's VAT rate in 2021, when energy prices skyrocketed. "Yes, we are also considering this measure," Aagesen told the media on Friday morning. In 2025, the VAT on electricity returned to 21%, ending the tax reductions of recent years.

The cost of living for Catalan families rose slightly in February, despite remaining within the limits set by the European Central Bank (ECB). Last month was the last before the outbreak of the war in Iran, which is expected to have an upward impact on prices due to the resulting increase in the cost of oil and natural gas. Specifically, prices in Catalonia rose by 0.5% compared to January, a figure that stands out in contrast to the previous month, when the cost of living decreased compared to December. However, compared to a year ago, the growth was 2%, the same annual rate as in January, according to data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the evolution of prices of consumer goods and services) published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Across Spain, the INE has confirmed the data that I had already shared two weeks agoThus, in Spain, prices rose on average in February by 2.3% compared to the same month last year and by 0.4% compared to January. The rise in inflation is mainly due to the increase in fuel costs, which is expected to be even more pronounced in the coming months, with a monthly increase of 1.7%. Tourism and hospitality also became more expensive in February, with an average increase of 1.2%.

The Spanish government is determined to approve a plan of measures to address the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, but first wants to consult with the political parties in Congress, whose support it will need, as well as with social partners (major unions and employers' associations). In this way, Moncloa will initiate a "round of talks," in the words of the Spanish government spokesperson, Elma Saiz, with the different political groups to assess what measures can be taken—this will also serve to understand the parties' demands, some of which, like Podemos and the PP, have already been put forward. A distinctive feature of this round, however, will be the inclusion of Vox, which the Pedro Sánchez administration has excluded on other occasions. In fact, it was excluded from the round of talks last January to inform them about the deployment of Spanish troops to Ukraine. Government sources clarify that "it's not the same" because this time it's not about informing them about the Spanish government's position on foreign policy, but about implementing "good measures." Furthermore, it will not be Spanish President Pedro Sánchez who presides over the meetings with the parties, but rather the Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Cortes, Félix Bolaños. Moncloa is seeking the broadest possible consensus to approve a stimulus plan. And that includes the far right, even though Santiago Abascal's party has systematically avoided supporting the Sánchez administration's initiatives. In fact, they are being called upon now when it comes to finding measures to mitigate the effects of the Trump administration's attack on Iran, knowing that Vox is the main ally in Spain of the President of the United States. For the moment, the People's Party (PP), which also maintains its distance from the Socialist Party (PSOE), has reacted with skepticism. The PP's spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, has refused to participate "in a propaganda campaign to cover up the scandals" of the Socialists, although she has not ruled out a meeting. Bolaños will be responsible for calling and scheduling meetings with the political parties to negotiate and seek their support for the measures. The Spanish government wants to begin these meetings this week, but has not specified whether they will continue beyond this week. Nor has it specified a timeline for when a concrete package of proposals might be ready, although the possibility of an imminent release has diminished in recent days. The government has requested some time to properly assess the economic impact, especially considering the volatility of energy prices. In parallel with these meetings with the political parties, the three vice-presidencies, as well as the Ministry of Social Security, are scheduling meetings with the trade unions CCOO and UGT, and the Spanish employers' association CEOE to also study the potential measures. Specific and structural measures

The Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, explained on Tuesday that the plan being considered by the Spanish government will include both short-term measures and structural ones. "It must be an effective response," she asserted. The short-term measures should protect businesses, workers, and families and could include proposals already approved in 2022, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine: for example, fuel subsidies or VAT reductions on food. The structural measures would serve to strengthen strategic autonomy and the energy transition, the minister said, with the aim of being "less exposed" to price volatility. The People's Party (PP) has been demanding tax cuts for days to offset the increase in energy prices, but warns that it will not accept "communist" measures introduced "through the back door." This proposal clashes with the position put forward by Podemos, which has called for an "anti-Trump plan" that includes nationalizing Repsol, creating a public bank, and "expropriating" homes from vulture funds.

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The war in Iran and its ramifications in the Middle East are not only putting pressure on commodity prices like oil and gas, but are already being felt "in the pockets of Spaniards and in their daily lives," as Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo acknowledged this Monday from Brussels. Since the US and Israeli attack on Iran, the Spanish government has been monitoring the impact of the conflict on the Spanish economy and is open to taking measures. "This government will respond," government sources indicate. The current scenario has revived the specter of four years ago, when the Russian attack in Ukraine unleashed an unprecedented energy and inflationary crisis: the price of a MWh... pool Electricity, for example, is breaking all records.

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Inflation in Spain remained flat in the second month of the year. In February, prices rose by 2.3% compared to a year ago, as published this Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). This is the same year-on-year inflation rate recorded in January and marks the end of three consecutive months of declines. On a month-on-month basis, the preliminary data for the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the evolution of the cost of living for citizens) for this month of February shows a 0.4% increase in the prices of goods and services that families regularly consume compared to the previous month. The INE will confirm both figures next March.

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Several banks have announced that they will tighten mortgage conditions throughout 2026. Prices will rise, and lending standards will be stricter. This shift comes after a record-breaking 2025. The official explanation cites prudence and the need to avoid future risks in the real estate market.

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This week, new ads have appeared for entire villages for sale at five hundred thousand euros. I confess: I'm one of those people who spends time looking at these ads, driven by a kind of fascination, a dream, and awe all at once. "Should we sell our apartment and move there?" I often ask my family, knowing I'm suggesting the impossible.

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The Spanish economy accelerated its growth rate during the last three months of 2025, nearly doubling the expected growth rate for the eurozone, according to preliminary data released Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). This placed Spain among the leading growth countries in the European Union for another quarter. Meanwhile, the cost of living for families moderated in January after three consecutive months of price increases.

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Catalonia was the second autonomous community with the lowest inflation in December and maintains, for the tenth consecutive month, a growth in the cost of living below the State average, where Madrid led the increase in the cost of living, according to data from the consumer price index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living) published this Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics.

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The attempts by the Ministry of Transport and Renfe to improve and modernize rail fares in 2026 have failed to convince users. This time it's the passengers of Avant trains, Renfe's high-speed service with regulated prices – which in practice functions as an extension of regional trains or an alternative to commuter rail– those who have rebelled and denounce the new payment system, the so-called The Vía Pass is "opaque" and generates a "hidden price increase."

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The price of cocoa fell by more than 45% in 2025 after a 2024 marked by a sharp increase due to poor harvests in the main producing country, Ivory Coast, and the entry of speculative funds into wholesale markets. However, for the moment, the cost of chocolate for consumers has not yet adjusted to the decrease in the price of cocoa and remains above the levels of a few years ago.

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The cost of living in Spain moderated in December thanks to lower fuel prices, according to preliminary data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures price changes) released Tuesday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). As a result, inflation across the country ended the year slightly below the projected growth rate for 2024.

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Although the scenario is not the same as in 2022 or 2023, at the height of the inflationary crisis, the cost of living remains high: 2025 ends with an average inflation rate of 2.7%, so it's impossible to speak of a normalization of prices, considering the European Central Bank's 2% target. The main concern lies in the price behavior of some basic necessities, such as housing, currently one of the biggest problems in Spain and Catalonia. In fact, 2025 ends with warning signs regarding the cost of real estate, whether rented or purchased, as well as the cost of food.

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After many weeks of political debate and uncertainty, the Spanish and Catalan governments have stepped on the gas and, in less than 24 hours, have defined and announced next year's transport fares and ticket types. Now, with these new changes, understanding the vast array of options, prices, and discounts is no easy task, and users will have to carefully consider which ticket offers the best value starting next year. We break down all the changes and announcements made in the last few hours in four sections:

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Catalonia recorded an annual price increase lower than the Spanish average in November, which puts the Catalan inflation rate below the national rate for the ninth consecutive month, according to data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics.

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The cost of living in Spain continued to rise this November, although at a more moderate pace than the previous monthAccording to preliminary data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) published this Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE), food and, to a lesser extent, leisure and cultural services, have been the items that have become most expensive this month, which was also marked by cheaper electricity. Thus, the CPI has increased by 0.2% this month compared to October, a more moderate growth rate than the 0.7% recorded between September and last month. If prices are compared to November 2024, the increase has been 3%, one-tenth of a percentage point less than the year-on-year rate for October. Although lower, the annual increase of 3% is among the highest of the last two years and one percentage point above the 2% target set by the European Central Bank in the long term.

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