Retirement & Residency Markets: Global Citizen Solutions’ 2026 Global Retirement Index ranks Uruguay, Mauritius and Spain top for retirement/passive-income visa programs, scoring jurisdictions on quality of life, mobility/citizenship, tax, and costs. Payments & Digital Finance: A new European Network for Payments (ENP) is being set up in Madrid by major payment schemes (Bizum, Bancomat, Wero, MB WAY and Vipps MobilePay) to connect networks via a shared interoperability layer for instant account-to-account payments. Travel Compliance & Border Tech: The EU’s Entry and Exit System (EES) is expanding biometric checks for many non-EU travellers, with countries including Spain and Greece using photo and fingerprint registration before Schengen entry. Tax & Mobility Competition: Global Citizen Solutions’ Tax Optimization Index places Bulgaria among Europe’s top performers and highlights how preferential regimes can matter more than headline rates. Andorra Business Angle: Andorra’s SETAP 365 (Grandvalira Resorts) details resort food operations and plans for the 2026–2027 ski season. Local Risk: A fire at the La Querola residential complex in Ordino damaged five of seven buildings, with investigations and insurance assessments underway.