Spain already has seen prices rise in 2010, mainly in the transportation sector.

The high-speed AVE train linking Madrid to cities such as Seville and Barcelona, saw prices rise by an average of 4 percent. The price of medium-distance railway journeys went up by 5 percent, while short distance travel saw a 6-percent price increase.

Metropolitan travel also became more expensive. The cost of a 10-journey ticket in Madrid rose from 7.40 euros to 9 euros or 21.6 percent, meaning metro prices have risen 109 percent since 2003.

Another more expensive item in the New Year was the postage stamp, which went from 32 to 34 cents per stamp.

Spanish consumers also will have to pay 2.64 percent more to turn their lights on, while the price of natural gas remained unchanged. Butane gas, still common for use in cooking in many older homes, went up 3.36 percent to 11.06 euros per bottle.

Meanwhile, the minimum wage for Spanish workers increased 1.5 percent to 633.3 euros a month before taxes.

via New Year brings some price increases to Spain_English_Xinhua.