KEY POINTS: What changes about life in Spain in May 2025

May 1st public holiday

El Día del Trabajador or Labour Day in Spain is a public holiday in Spain's 17 regions. Like much of the rest of the world it is held on May 1st. In 2025, May 1st will fall on a Thursday.

It will be a holiday all over the country, so wherever you live you will likely have a day off work and kids will get the day off school. Shops and other businesses will also be closed on this day.

May 2nd holiday in Madrid

If you live in Madrid, you will also get another public holiday on May 2nd. It commemorates the day in 1808 when residents of the city rose up against Napoleon’s troops in the Peninsula War.

Schools will be closed and streets of the Malasaña district will be filled with festivities and music to celebrate Dos de Mayo.

Mother’s Day on May 4th

Unlike Father’s Day in Spain, which is always celebrated on the Day of San José on March 19th, Mother’s Day changes each year in Spain.

It is typically celebrated on the first Sunday in May, which this year will fall on May 4th. Spain has been celebrating Mother’s Day in this way, changing each year for over 50 years.

Mother’s Day is Spain is usually celebrated similarly to other countries by children giving gifts to their mothers and going for celebratory meals.

Start date for when you can do your annual tax return by phone

The income tax campaign began on April 2nd, meaning that you can submit your return any time between this date and June 30th. But if you want to be able to submit your return by phone rather than online, you’ll have to wait until May 6th.

You can call 91 553 00 71 or 901 22 33 44 Monday to Friday between 9am and 7pm.

Changes to residency and work permits for foreigners come into force on May 20th

Last year the Spanish government approved a series of new immigration reforms which are designed to simplify the regularisation process for migrants living in Spain illegally.

These will officially come into force on May 20th meaning that it will be easier for migrants living in Spain illegally to ‘regularise’ their immigration status. Rules for family reunification and the regulation of temporary work permits for migrants have also been altered.

It also means that foreigners who have studied in Spain will now be able to move more easily from a study visa to a residence and work permit.

The government hopes that the new measures will help around 300,000 migrants over the next three years.

READ MORE: How Spain will make residency and work permits easier for foreigners

Catalonia's higher tourism tax could come into force in May

Back in February, the Catalan government agreed to double the tourist tax starting from May. But in order to do so, it still needs to be ratified by the Catalan Parliament and have the backing of the ERC party. The original decree stipulated that the tourist tax increase would take effect from May 1st.

If put into force, it means that tourists staying in a five-star hotel in Barcelona will now pay €7 tourist tax per night instead of €3.50. There will also be a municipal surcharge added to this rate which may be increased to €8, rather than four. If so, the amount of tourist tax per night could reach €15 for five-star hotels.

Those staying in one, two, three or four star hotels will pay less, but the taxes are still set to increase.

EXPLAINED: How and why Barcelona is doubling its tourist taxes

Rent index to increase in May

Those people who signed a rental contract on a property from May 26th, 2023 onwards will see their rent increase by 1.98 percent. But, for leases prior to that date, the adjustment will be 2.3 percent, corresponding to the interannual rate of the March Consumer Price Index.

If you believe you’re paying too much rent you can find a useful tool here on the official government website.to find out what you should be paying.

Renting in Spain: How to find out if your landlord is overcharging you

Madrid bus drivers call strike

Various workers’ unions have called a strike due to the "precarious working conditions" for urban, and intercity bus drivers.

The walkout is due to take place between midnight on April 30th and May 29th in Madrid. On May 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th, strikes will take place from 5am to 9am and from 5pm to 9pm.

According to the unions in a joint statement, these bus drivers face workdays of up to 15 hours and sometimes "without breaks between shifts”.

The Spanish capital also has a rubbish strike underway currently which could continue into May.