Tens of thousands of workers across Spain are expected to go on strike on Wednesday to protest the war in Gaza, despite the recent truce. Here’s how it will affect daily life in Spain, including public transport.
On Wednesday October 15th 2025, a general strike will be held across Spain.
It was called in September by several leading Spanish work unions in support of the Palestinian people and against the “genocide in Gaza.”
As it’s a huelga general or general strike, it will technically affect all work sectors in Spain.
Therefore, if you have to deal with small businesses, offices and shops whose employees decide to take part, you may be affected.
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The Spanish Constitution enshrines the right of workers to go on strike without prior notice to their employers, and without risking dismissal or punishment for doing so (although logically they won’t be remunerated for the workday).
The strike action will combine three two-hour walkouts over a 24-hour period.
They are scheduled from 10am to 12pm for the morning shift, from 5pm to 7pm for the afternoon shift, and from 2am to 4am for those working the night shift.
Spain’s Student Union has also called a 24-hour strike in all educational institutions, from high schools to universities, although it’s likely that only the latter will truly participate in the stoppages.
There are also demonstrations planned in at least 40 cities across Spain. Authorities do not recommend travelling through city centres while these protests are being held.
In Madrid, there will be two marches leaving from Atocha train station at midday and at 7pm. In Barcelona, the march will start at 6pm from Sants station. Here is a full breakdown of the locations and starting times of all the marches in Spain.
In Valencia, the plan is to boycott a basketball match between Valencia Basket and Israel team Hapoel Tel Aviv.
According to Spanish law, essential work sectors – both public and private – must guarantee minimum services during a strike. Therefore, emergency healthcare, police services, public transport and education will operate throughout the day, but with fewer staff.
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In the case of Madrid’s Cercanías commuter trains, 75 percent of services will operate during peak hours and 50 percent during off-peak hours.
Madrid Metro will run 80 percent of services during rush hour and 50 at off-peak times.
In Barcelona, 66 percent of services will be maintained on all public transport (Rodalies trains, Barcelona Metro, TMB buses, tram etc).
In Valencia, public transport will operate at 80 percent regular capacity. In Málaga, between 75 and 50 percent.
Therefore, if you have to use public transport in Spain on Wednesday, regardless of where you are, keep in mind that services will be less frequent.
As for health services in Spain, primary care, emergencies and patients with serious conditions will all receive treatment as usual on Wednesday, but some health workers will be given the right to strike for two hours.
The national strike was announced well before the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was called, but strike organisers have insisted the stoppages will continue because the causes of the Palestinian people’s suffering are still ongoing.
“This pact legalises the occupation of Palestine. There will be no justice or freedom for the Palestinian people ,” Spain’s Student Union said.
However, it may be that the stoppage does lose some momentum as a result of the truce.
Spanish media has not been giving the strike as much attention as one may expect, as it hasn’t occupied the top headlines in the lead up to it.
