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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a snap general election. Voting will take place on 29 November 2026 – approximately seven months earlier than originally expected under the normal parliamentary timetable.
Sánchez announced his decision on 5 October during an institutional statement at the Moncloa Palace. The decree dissolving the Spanish Parliament and formally calling the election is due to be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 6 October. The electoral process will officially begin from that date.
The decision comes just days after the Congress of Deputies rejected two government decrees concerning regulation of the housing market in Spain. PP, Vox and Junts voted against the measures. The loss of parliamentary support once again highlighted the difficulties faced by the governing coalition in securing approval for key initiatives.
In his address, Sánchez said that the time had come to give Spaniards the opportunity to decide the country’s future direction.
When will Spain’s general election take place?
The official announcement triggers the electoral timetable established by Spanish law. Political parties will be able to submit their candidate lists between 21 and 26 October.
The official election campaign will begin on 13 November. The final day on which opinion polls may be published will be 23 November, followed by the traditional day of electoral silence on 28 November. Spaniards will go to the polls on Sunday, 29 November.
After the election, the process of forming the new Congress of Deputies and Senate will begin. The new chambers must be constituted no later than 24 December.
