Spain schedules nationwide general strike on 11 November, transport services likely to be disrupted

Spain will hold a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday 11 November after the country’s two biggest unions, UGT and CCOO, agreed on a date to protest housing issues. The strike, the first jointly backed by both unions in 14 years, comes weeks before a snap election and is expected to cause widespread disruptions to travel and local services.

Airlines have warned passengers of possible cancellations and delays. Lufthansa Group said: "The strike is expected to have an impact on the Lufthansa Group airlines’ flight schedule to and from Spain. Flight cancellations and delays must be expected. We ask passengers to check the status of their flight before setting out on their journey." Affected customers on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings and Discover can rebook without charge or receive a refund.

Transport operators warned of severe impacts on trains, including Renfe’s high-speed AVE lines, metros and local buses. Demonstrations in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona could block streets and affect traffic.

The UK government’s travel advice for Spain cautions that demonstrations may occur with little warning and advises British nationals to follow police instructions and avoid areas of unrest. The U.S. Embassy in Spain similarly urged travelers to expect limited public-transport services, confirm travel plans with carriers and plan for possible closures of museums, shops and pharmacies.

The strike follows recent protests triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old resident in Madrid, highlighting broader tensions over rising rents, gentrification and a shortage of affordable housing. UGT said the strike is called because the working class can no longer afford housing, while CCOO said it has placed housing at the heart of the demonstration, noting the difficulties millions face in paying rent or accessing affordable homes.