News about Spain

Costco will open its first Málaga store in spring 2027, but membership registration opened Monday, October 19, at a temporary office in the Málaga Nostrum retail park. Annual fees are around €36 for individuals and €30 for businesses and the self-employed. New members who sign up early get a €10 voucher usable within 30 days of the Málaga opening, immediate access to Costco shops and petrol stations in Spain, and an annual renewal extended to spring 2028. The store will cover more than 12,000 square metres, with 5,811 square metres for the general sales area, plus sections for meat, dairy, produce, fish, frozen foods and bakery.

Fransiscus Nanga Roka’s opinion piece examines the dispute between Spain and Blasket Renewable Investments, which arose after Spain reversed incentive programs for renewable energy that had attracted investors. Many investors pursued awards under the Energy Charter Treaty and later sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; the D.C. Circuit ruled on August 16, 2024 that the FSIA arbitration exception allowed the cases to proceed, and the Supreme Court declined review on June 29, 2026. The author argues that jurisdiction to confirm an award is separate from authority to seize specific assets, since under Sections 1609 and 1610 of the FSIA, property remains immune unless an exception is shown. In June 2026, a federal court ordered Blasket to exclude Spain’s football federation, national team and central bank from the definition of “Spain” for asset discovery. The article recommends that Spain publish a list of outstanding awards and negotiate payment schedules.