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Parents In Spain Caring For Seriously Ill Children Could Get More Financial Protection

Published

15 hours ago

June 25, 2026

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For some families, care does not end when the hospital visits do. Credit: FamVeld / Shutterstock

Families in Spain who have to cut working hours to care for a child with cancer or another serious illness could see wider protection under a new government reform. The change could matter most when children need constant care at home and not just during long hospital stays.

Caring for a seriously ill child can cut a family’s income overnight

Parents in Spain caring for a seriously ill child could get more financial protection under a government plan to update one of the country’s most sensitive Social Security benefits.

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration says it will expand the benefit for the care of minors affected by cancer or another serious illness, known in Spain as CUME, through a new regulation.

The payment is designed for working parents and guardians who reduce their working hours and salary to provide direct, continuous and permanent care to a child.

A serious diagnosis can quickly mean hospital appointments, treatment routines, sleepless nights, school disruption and one parent stepping back from work. And for foreign families living in Spain, there is often the added challenge of understanding which Spanish benefit applies, who manages it and what paperwork is needed.

Why home care is becoming harder for the system to ignore

The government says the current regulation, in force since 2011, needs to be adapted to new medical, family and care realities.

One of the most important changes is the recognition that many seriously ill children no longer remain in hospital for long periods, even when they still need intensive and permanent care.

Modern treatment can move part of that burden into the home. A child may be sleeping in their own bed, attending some school or avoiding long admissions, but still need constant monitoring, treatment, medication, hygiene care, emergency response or specialist follow-ups.

The ministry says this aspect of care has not always fitted clearly into the existing rules. The new regulation is expected to include more protected situations and an open clause allowing doctors to certify when a child still needs direct, continuous and permanent care.

Who can currently claim Spain’s CUME benefit

Spain’s CUME benefit is not a general ill-child allowance. It is linked to work, lost income and a serious medical need. Under current guidance, the benefit is for employed or self-employed workers who reduce their working day by at least 50 per cent to care for a dependent child with cancer or another serious illness.

The subsidy is equivalent to 100 per cent of the relevant base used for temporary disability benefits, applied in proportion to the working-time reduction. Therefore the payment is designed to compensate for the salary lost because the parent has reduced their working hours.

Only one parent can receive the benefit when both meet the requirements. Applicants must also meet Social Security contribution conditions and provide medical evidence showing the child’s need for direct, continuous and permanent care.

The benefit currently supports around 19,000 beneficiaries, according to the ministry, with €355 million dedicated to it. In 2018, it reached fewer than 6,000 families.

How the new rules could reduce paperwork for families

The government says the reform will update the list of serious illnesses covered by the benefit, create a mechanism so the list can keep being expanded as medical knowledge changes, and simplify procedures by extending renewal periods and improving the system of extensions.

This is a big improvement for parents who currently have to keep proving that a child still needs care, even when the illness or condition has not simply disappeared.

The ministry has also said previous changes have widened the age limit from 18 to 23, and to 26 in some cases. They have also included some single-parent families and allowed a spouse or civil partner to become the beneficiary in certain circumstances.

For families already exhausted by appointments, treatment and work disruption, fewer renewal hurdles could make the difference between steady support and repeated uncertainty and stress.

Some families still fear falling through the gaps

The reform still comes with concern. The Federación Española de Diabetes (Spanish Diabetes Federation, FEDE) has asked for a new draft, arguing that although the proposal includes positive changes such as longer extension periods and new illnesses, its accreditation and control model could restrict access in practice for some families.

FEDE has warned in particular about children with type 1 diabetes, where care can involve constant glucose monitoring, insulin management, prevention of hypoglycaemia and night-time vigilance, even if the child is not in hospital.

Its concern is that a system focused too narrowly on clinical or hospital-style care may fail to capture the daily reality of some long-term childhood conditions.

For many families the hardest part of care does not always look dramatic from the outside. It can be constant, repetitive and invisible, but still make full-time work impossible.

What families in Spain should check before relying on the reform

The proposal has been placed in public consultation, with the official participation portal listing June 25 as the deadline for submissions. It has not yet become final law.

Families should revise whether a child’s illness is included, whether a doctor can certify the need for direct and permanent care, what evidence is required, how renewals will work, and whether the parent meets the Social Security contribution and working-time reduction rules.

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Coin Open Air Summer Festival 2026

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Lucy Ramnought

This July, the picturesque town of Coin will transform its Auditorio del Parque Leonor Princesa de Asturias into the ultimate base for summer nightlife.

The third edition of the local festival, Noches con Encanto (“Nights of Charm”), is coming to you with an eclectic wave of live entertainment. Presented by Coin’s Mayor, Francisco Santos, and Councillor for Festivities, Juani Bernal, the event is jam packed to the brim with a fun mix of live music, comedy, and tradition that draws crowds from neighbouring Alora and Cartama.

Retro and viral pop culture

The festival kicks off by bursting straight into global youth culture with a high-energy tribute production of the K-Pop Demon Hunters. The energy then completely flips into pure musical nostalgia with the expanded Festival de los 80′, 90′ y 2000. This massive throwback event gathers the biggest pop and dance anthems from the turn of the millennium, turning the open-air auditorium into a giant retro party. Once the main session wraps up, resident favourite DJ Ricardo del Toro takes over the decks, keeping the crowd dancing into the early hours with live club mixes and modern mashups.

Laugh-out-loud comedy and local rock tributes

A big dose of humour is thrown into the mix with La Noche es Comedia, a stand-up showcase hosted by popular Spanish sitcom favourites Macarena Gomez and Nacho Guerreros. Then in contrast, the festival’s most emotionally charged event is the Festival de la Luna, featuring a headline performance by the legendary Spanish rock band 091. Organised in joint effort with local neighbours, the concert is a memorial tribute to Fali, a beloved and well-known Coin resident. The auditorium grounds will feature community led activities and local food trucks, delivering a family community feel with a rock edge

Grand Flamenco Finale with the fantastic Morente Legacy

Closing celebrations on a traditional Spanish note is the Festival Flamenco Pepe de la Isla. Co-produced with the local flamenco cultural association, this spectacular finale brings the varied festival to a close.

Dates and the details

The festival runs on select dates between July 2 and July 31, 2026. Doors generally open at 8pm, with ticket prices starting from €20.00 for the retro club night and scaling up to around €33.00 for the headline concert dates. Tickets, more information and full scheduling are available online via the Coin Town Hall website.

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Actor Matt Nuttall Unleashes Chaos On Puerto Banus Yacht

Published

13 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Adam Woodward

actor-matt-nuttall-unleashes-chaos-on-puerto-banus-yacht

Actress Chayenna, director Dowsett, actor Matt Nuttall & co-proucer Franky Lancaster. Credit: EWN

Action cameras rolled across the decks of a luxury yacht in Puerto Banus this week as Marbella resident Matt Nuttall brought fiery energy to his latest film role. Behind the camera, Craig David Dowsett, a cult movie-maker with a growing following for his gritty independent action thrillers, directs the project. He has become widely celebrated in recent years for titles like “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” and “Bigfoot: Primal Fear”.

Behind the scenes on the Malex superyacht

Matt Nuttall invited Euro Weekly News to witness the early morning filming for the new Craig David Dowsett movie Retribution. The Malex, kindly donated my Martin, and moored near the old Torre de Control in Puerto Banus, had only Matt’s unmistakable Manchester accent ringing out with colourful expletives from the top deck, alerting to where the shoot was taking place. Adding to the vital scene shoot were actor/producer Franky Lankester, famed for the Rise of the Footsoldier series, co-producing this movie, and actress Chayenna.

filming taking place with guns — On location, with . . . props?
Credit: EWN

Craig David Dowsett was directing the sequence from behind the camera on a whistle-stop mission to Spain. Matt hurled his phone in a fit of on-screen rage while military-grade prop rifles and pistols rested on a nearby table beside a copy of this newspaper. Production captured multiple takes under the intense early heat of one of the season’s hottest days so far.

The plot centres on betrayal and violent revenge.

Retribution follows Priest, a former special forces operative betrayed by his partner and left for dead during an operation against an illegal arms network. Priest returns with a mission of total destruction aimed at the gangs and his former ally. Matt plays one of the lead arms-smuggling gang members, one with violence on his mind. His character faces disruption when Priest’s rampage in the UK delays key deliveries.

Dowsett confirmed plans to return to Banus in August for some intense fight sequences. Matt will then travel to the UK for scenes where his character hunts answers and confronts rivals directly.

Puerto Banús delivers perfect conditions for cinema.

Matt Nuttall praised the location’s advantages. “Banus is great. There are things filmed here all the time that no one knows about. In terms of location and the weather, it’s perfect. You can film here all year round, more or less.”

Craig David Dowsett echoed the sentiment. “It’s a great venue. We were here this morning at 7.30am, got some scenes done, and woke the neighbours up.”

Production continues with additional B-roll footage around Marbella. Teams will capture scenes in luxury vehicles and gather establishing shots to emphasise the area’s upscale character.

Director balances global commitments

After filming, writer/director Craig David Dowsett departed again for London before crossing the Atlantic for appearances at ComicCons in Tennessee, Maine, South Carolina, Las Vegas, and Germany.

Matt Nuttall expressed strong support for increased film activity on this coast. He talked of its strong history as a production destination and hopes more projects choose the area so performers can work closer to home.

Local support boosts the production.

This project highlights ongoing interest in the Costa del Sol for international and independent cinema. Production teams continue to explore further opportunities across Marbella and surrounding spots for future scenes.

Audiences can expect high-octane action mixed with local flavour when Retribution reaches screens. Matt Nuttall’s commitment to filming in his adopted home adds authentic connection to the story’s Spanish connections.

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Puerto De Mazarron To Host Charity Martial Arts Festival For Cancer Support

Published

13 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Natascha Rivera

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Puerto de Mazarron hosts a charity martial arts fight night. Photo Credit: engin akyurt / Unsplash

In a blend of athleticism and community solidarity, the coastal municipality of Puerto de Mazarron is preparing to host a major sports event this summer, all in benefit of a charity. On Saturday, August 15, the local Varadero del Muelle at the fishing port will be transformed into a sporting arena for the “Kick Boxing por la vida” event, or “Kickboxing for Life.” This event will bring together professional fighters, fans, friends, and families, all under a shared goal: raising funds to support the fight against cancer.

Martial arts stars unite for a vital cause

The event will officially kick off at 8:00pm and is being organised by TitansFit Fight Events, in collaboration with the Town Council of Mazarron. This promises an action-packed lineup featuring multiple categories of the sport, including Kickboxing, K-1, and Mixed Martial Arts. The athletes participating in the event will come from all across Spain, including competitors linked to the team of Nico Medina, a well-known name in the fighting sphere, with connections to the sporting circle of UFC champion Ilia Topuria.

Alas de Esperanza: Helping vulnerable neighbours with cancer in the community

All proceeds from this vibrant and thrilling sporting event will go directly to the Asociación Alas de Esperanza (the Wings of Hope Association), a local group dedicated to supporting those in the community affected by cancer. The charitable heart of the event brings a whole new meaning to the word “fight,” merging this exciting sport with the battle against cancer, which is estimated to affect or have affected tens of thousands of people in the Region of Murcia. With a charitable purpose, this event will benefit countless people in the region.

How to get tickets for this special sporting event

General seating will be priced at €15 if the tickets are bought in advance, and €20 directly at the box office, whereas ringside seats will be €20 in advance and €30 at the box office, and VIP access will be available for €30 in advance, and €40 at the box office.

Under the slogan “United Against Cancer,” organisers urge locals and tourists alike to come out in Puerto de Mazarron, enjoy the spectacle, and make every punch count.