Spanish PM’s wife forbidden to leave country amid escalating corruption probes

Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been ordered by a court to stand trial on corruption charges and is prohibited from leaving Spain. A court order released on Saturday, June 20, 2026, mandated that she surrender her passport and report to the court twice monthly. This decision comes as part of intensifying corruption probes impacting the Socialist leader's associates and family.

The allegations against Gómez include embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, and misappropriation of funds. The investigation, which began in April 2024, centers on whether she exploited her position as the Prime Minister's wife for private gain, particularly through her involvement with a chair at Madrid's Complutense University. The case originated from a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group.

Both Gómez and Prime Minister Sánchez deny any wrongdoing, with Sánchez characterizing the charges as a politically motivated attempt by the right-wing to undermine his government. The upcoming trial is one of several corruption investigations currently facing individuals within Sánchez's orbit, contributing to calls for accountability from opposition parties.