Update to our earlier Spain coverage: what is new is a round of government talks to head off the November 17 rail strike, partial strikes by Ouigo train drivers on November 6 and 9, a court ruling on Ouigo’s minimum services, and confirmation of the 24-hour general strike on November 11.
November 5, 2026 — Spain is heading into its busiest strike period in years. Train drivers at Ouigo and Renfe, staff at rail infrastructure company Adif, and workers across the economy have strikes planned over the next two weeks. On November 5, the government began talks with rail unions to try to call off the November 17 rail strike.
What’s new
- Government talks: Carlos Cuerpo, the first vice president and economy minister, who is now also acting transport minister, began meeting rail unions on November 5. The first meeting was with SEMAF, the train drivers’ union. Renfe president Álvaro Fernández-Heredia and Secretary of State for Transport José Antonio Santano also took part. The ministry plans to meet the other unions in the coming days, El Español reported.
- Resignations: Transport minister Óscar Puente has resigned, and El Español reports that Adif president Luis Pedro Marco also resigned after a meeting on November 4.
- Ouigo strikes: SEMAF has called partial strikes by Ouigo train drivers on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9, from 6:00 a.m. to noon and from 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Libertad Digital reported that Spain’s National Court (Audiencia Nacional) provisionally suspended the minimum services Ouigo had planned for those two days.
- Renfe on November 17: Reports differ on whether Renfe staff have formally joined the Adif strike. El Español says Adif and Renfe committees agreed it; Libertad Digital said on November 4 that the Renfe part was still being finalized.
- More dates: Libertad Digital reports that the unions’ calendar includes further strike dates in December. Dates: TBA.
Strike calendar
| Date | Who | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov. 6 | Ouigo train drivers (SEMAF) | 6 a.m.–noon and 6 p.m.–11:59 p.m. |
| Mon, Nov. 9 | Ouigo train drivers (SEMAF) | 6 a.m.–noon and 6 p.m.–11:59 p.m. |
| Tue, Nov. 10 | Renfe train drivers (SEMAF) | 24-hour strike |
| Wed, Nov. 11 | General strike (CCOO, UGT, CGT, CNT) | 00:00–23:59, all sectors; minimum services TBA |
| Thu, Nov. 12 | Renfe train drivers (SEMAF) | Partial stoppages; hours TBA |
| Tue, Nov. 17 | Adif staff (Renfe participation reported) | Strike; hours and minimum services TBA; government talks under way |
| December | Rail unions | Further dates TBA |
The November 11 general strike
Spain’s two largest unions, CCOO and UGT, together with CGT and CNT, have called a 24-hour general strike for Wednesday, November 11 over housing costs and wages. Catalan News describes it as the first 24-hour general strike called by the major unions since 2012. The Majorca Daily Bulletin warned that flights to, from and within Spain may face delays or cancellations, and that trains, including AVE high-speed services, could run heavily reduced schedules. We found no confirmed strike notice from air traffic controllers or specific airports. Minimum services, which are set by the government, had not been published in the sources we read.
What it means for airline travelers
- Avoid relying on trains between November 9 and 12, and on November 17. If you must connect by rail, have a backup: a domestic flight, bus or rental car.
- Ouigo passengers on November 6 and 9 should check their train directly with Ouigo, since the planned minimum services have been suspended by the court.
- November 11 is the riskiest day. Flights may be delayed or cancelled, and standby seats will be scarce as airlines rebook passengers. If you can, fly a day earlier or later, and check loads before you list.
- Local transit and taxis in cities may also be affected by the general strike. Plan how you will get from the airport before you arrive.
- Talks could still lead to the November 17 strike being called off. Check again closer to the date.
- Ask your rail operator about refunds or free changes if your train is cancelled. Strikes announced before you buy travel insurance are often excluded from cover.
Sources
- El Español: Cuerpo recurre al presidente de Renfe al comienzo de su ronda de reuniones con los sindicatos para frenar la huelga ferroviaria (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Libertad Digital: Huelgas en Renfe, Ouigo y Adif: el colapso ferroviario que se avecina en noviembre (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Majorca Daily Bulletin: Spain November general strike will cause flight cancellations and transport delays (Oct. 31, 2026)
- Catalan News: Unions call general strike for November 11 over housing and wages (Oct. 8, 2026)
- Renfe: Official service information
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