Most British residents in Spain don’t get a vote on Sunday November 29, yet the result could still reach their healthcare, rent and tax bills. With polls pointing to a possible PP and Vox majority, here’s what’s been said, what’s only speculation and what Madrid can’t change alone.

Healthcare comments target people without legal residence 

Healthcare is where the parties have said the most so far. Vox wants to remove the legal right to public healthcare for foreigners without legal residence. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said ‘irregular status cannot give rise to rights’, while PP MP Antonio Román said healthcare belongs to ‘those who abide by the law, pay their taxes and have legal residence’. Román added that emergency care would still be on the table.

However, those comments concern people without legal residence, and the report doesn’t say legal residents would be affected. 

The two parties aren’t identical on this though, as the PP voted against a Vox motion in April that would have tied migrants’ healthcare access to years of social security contributions. In regional deals in Extremadura and Aragón, PP and Vox agreed to review the cost of healthcare for foreign nationals, and not to exclude them. Vox has also made ‘national priority’ one of its three campaign themes, although its Estepona rally on Monday October 12 didn’t spell out what that would mean in practice. 

Rent caps and evictions could be rewritten

The snap election was called after PP and Vox voted down the government’s emergency housing measures. Now analysts expect a right-wing government to repeal parts of the Housing Law (Ley de Vivienda), which would remove rent caps, and say both parties have promised tougher and faster evictions.

That could cut both ways, with British landlords likely to gain and British tenants facing higher rents. These are the analysts’ predictions though, and not confirmed policy. 

Tax cuts are possible, but nothing is confirmed 

The same analysts say the PP has historically favoured cutting or scrapping the wealth tax and the temporary solidarity tax on large fortunes. Several PP-run regions have already cut inheritance and gift taxes, and a national government could go further. 

Again, that’s an expectation and not a pledge. 

Residency paperwork is partly out of Madrid’s hands 

The analysts suggest a new government reshuffling ministries or immigration rules could cause delays for residency renewals and Non-Lucrative Visas. The Golden Visa, which the current government plans to scrap, could also be reversed. 

However, the 90/180-day rule (the limit on visitor stays) is EU law, so no Spanish government can change it alone.

The polls point in different directions 

PolitPro’s election trend, updated on Monday October 19, puts the PP in front. Two polls published on Friday October 9 suggested the PP and Vox together would win about 198 seats (El País) and 200 seats (El Confidencial), above the 176 needed for a majority.

However, the state-run Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) poll on Wednesday October 14 had the PSOE (Pedro Sanchez’s party) on 34 per cent against 22.2 per cent for the PP, a lead of nearly 12 points. Meanwhile one SocioMétrica simulation for El Español gives Sánchez just a 0.1 per cent chance of stopping a right-wing absolute majority, with the PP 25 seats ahead of the PSOE.

Any coalition deal after the vote will show which of these ideas survive, and that’s when British residents will find out what, if anything, changes for them.

The Region of Murcia Food Bank is preparing a new wave of food collections in the municipality of Cartagena and across the region this autumn, calling on residents to volunteer their time and help support people struggling to afford everyday essentials.

Food bank calls for volunteers across the region this autumn

The initiative, called the ‘autumn of solidarity’, comes ahead of Spain’s annual Gran Recogida de Alimentos, one of the country’s largest charitable food collection campaigns. This year, the nationwide drive will take place from November 13 to 15, with food banks across Spain seeking around 80,000 volunteers to help make the collections possible.

How residents can support the national food collection

Volunteers will play a crucial role during these food collection campaigns, helping at participating supermarkets, explaining how shoppers can contribute and receiving donated products. Even a few hours of support can help ensure that more donations reach the people who need them. No previous experience is required to take part in the national campaign, making it an accessible way for newcomers and long-term residents alike to get involved in their local community.

The Region of Murcia Food Bank also relies on volunteers throughout the year. Its work involves receiving, sorting, storing and distributing donated food to organisations supporting vulnerable people. Volunteers can contribute through practical tasks, specialist skills or support for individual campaigns.

Cartagena community efforts deliver thousands of kilogrammes of food

Food banks help charities and community organisations provide essential supplies to households facing financial difficulties. Cartagena has already demonstrated the impact of collective action. A food collection organised by the municipality’s Youth Department in February raised 5,910 kilogrammes of food, with contributions from youth associations and other local groups. The donations went towards vulnerable families and organisations.

Expats encouraged to support local families this autumn

For locals, expatriates, and visitors to the Costa Calida, the campaign offers an opportunity to support the community they call home. Whether by volunteering during a supermarket collection or contributing food, every effort can help local organisations continue their work.

Residents interested in volunteering can find further information through the Region of Murcia Food Bank’s official website, as well as the national food bank federation’s Gran Recogida de Alimentos campaign.

The Region of Murcia is putting its food industry on the international map, with 54 regional companies showcasing their products and latest innovations at SIAL Paris, one of the world’s major food industry exhibitions. The event, which kicked off on Sunday, October 18, offers a glimpse into the products being made in the region that residents and visitors already enjoy in local supermarkets, shops and restaurants.

Murcia takes its food industry to the world stage in Paris exhibition

The 2026 edition of this major tourism and gastronomy exhibition is expected to attract almost 300,000 food industry professionals from more than 100 countries, providing Murcia’s producers with an opportunity to reach new customers and strengthen networking.

From olives to seafood: Showcasing delicious regional products

The selection of more than 50 companies represents the diversity of Murcia’s food sector, with businesses specialising in everything from canned vegetables, olives and pickles to frozen foods, nuts, snacks, spices, seafood, confectionery, drinks and meat products.

For expatriates living on the Costa Calida, this industry is more than an export success story. Many of these products are part of everyday life in Spain, from the olives served with a drink to locally produced preserves, frozen foods and regional sweets found on supermarket shelves. The exhibition also gives producers the chance to present new products and formats, explore changing consumer tastes and develop more sustainable and efficient production methods. 

France remains a major market for regional products

France, where the event takes place, is particularly important to the region’s food industry, accounting for 13.5 per cent of its international sales, according to figures highlighted by the regional government during the exhibition. Between January and July 2026, Murcia’s food industry generated €2.03 billion in exports.

For residents and visitors, the presence at the exhibition is another reminder of the power of the region’s gastronomy. Behind many familiar products are local businesses looking to take Murcia’s delicious flavours well beyond Spain’s borders.