SPAIN VISAS: The following nationals DO NOT require a visa: Spain, Austria, Belgium, British (passports endorsed "British Citizen"), Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland & holders of Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar endorsed "Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom".
For stays of up to 3 months within a 6 month period to nationals of: Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, British (passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)", "British Subject", "British Overseas Territories Citizen" (providing it bears the endorsement "Holder is defined as British National for Community Purposes") or with the name of any of the following territories appearing on the front cover of the passport, Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos Islands, St. Helena & the Virgin islands) Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) (providing the passport includes an ID card number), Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Macao (SAR China passports). Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Kitts-Nevis, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City , Venezuela & holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro & Serbia providing the passport is not issued by the Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava).
For stays of a max of 3 months, irrespective of nationality, providing holding a residence permit issued by Andorra, Monaco or a Schengen Member State.
SPAIN TRANSIT VISAS: Not required by anyone exempt from a visa listed above, those holding onward tickets and transiting within 24 hours, holders of a valid visa issued by Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland (Rep. of), Japan, Liechtenstein, Romania, USA or United Kingdom, travelling to any non-Schengen Member State; or returning from Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland (Rep.of), Japan, Romania, USA or United Kingdom after having used the visa & holders of a residence Permit issued by Andorra, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland (Rep of), Japan, Romania, San Marino, UK & USA.
SPAIN HEALTH: Participants of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.
There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required.
Recommended immunisations: Tetanus & Polio.
SPAIN WEATHER: Hot in summer but there are differences in temperature during winter depending on the climatic region. The north and northwest are the wettest regions with cooler and wetter summers although there is still an ample amount of warm weather. The central region has low rainfall although during winter there may be quite heavy snow. Spring and early summer are the wettest seasons. The Mediterranean coast has milder winters with hot and sometimes humid summers
SPAIN MISC:
Location of Spain: Europe
Local Time in Spain: GMT+1
Capital City of Spain: Madrid
Population of Spain: 40.5 million
Language(s) spoken in Spain: Spanish (Castilian), Catalan, Galician, Basque
Dialling Code for Spain: 34
Emergency numbers in Spain: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 112
Driving in Spain: Driving is on the right. EU Driving Licences are accepted, if not an International Driving Licence is required. Minimum driving age is 18, however minimum age for car hire is 21
Electricity in Spain: 220V AC 50Hz
Currency of Spain: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: EUR: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
Coins: EUR: 1, 2. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted
Opening Hours in Spain
Bank: 0900-1400 Mon-Fri, 0900-1300 Sat (except during the summer)
Office: Times vary considerably
Shops: 0900-1300 & 1630-1930 Mon-Sat (1000-2000 department stores)
Hints in Spain: Business is conducted in Spanish, many executives speak French or English. On social occasions be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated
Tipping in Spain: Service charges may not always be added to the bill, although a cover charge may be applied. Tips of 5-10% are discretionary
Hotel Classification in Spain: Normal hotels and "Hotel Residencias" (residential hotels with no restaurant) are officially graded by stars from 1 up to 5. An extra-luxurious "5-star GL" category tops the range. Lower-quality accommodation called "Pension", "Hostal" and "Hostal Residencia" (a hostal with no restaurant) is graded less rigorously from 1 star up to 3 star. Holiday Villages (low-rise accommodation usually in spacious gardens) are also officially classified as "Ciudad de Vacaciones" and graded from 1 star to 3 star. Aparthotels and "Residencia Apartamentos" (aparthotels without a restaurant) are graded on the same basis as hotels from 1 star to 5 star. Apartments are classified by "Keys" from 1 key up to 4 keys.
Import Allowances in Spain: For persons of 17 years of age or older:
Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar):
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco
1 lit of spirits of more than 22° proof or 2 lit of up to 22° proof or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more that 80% volume.
2 lit of still wines
50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette
Other goods to the value of EUR 430 (EUR 150 for travellers under 15 years)
4 lit of wine
16 lit beer
Travellers entering from EU countries:
No limits for passengers arriving with goods purchased with the E.U that are for personal use only, inclusive of tax, in the shops of an E.U country and brought to Spain.
Prohibited/Restricted in Spain: Products of animal origin, Fire Arms Ammunition
Airports in Spain:
Alicante (ALC)
Barcelona (BCN)
Bilbao (BIO)
Fuerteventura (FUE)
Gerona (Costa Brava) (GRO)
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) (LPA)
Ibiza (IBZ)
La Coruna (LCG)
Lanzarote (Arrecife) (ACE)
Madrid Barajas (MAD)
Mahon (Menorca) (MAH)
Malaga (AGP)
Palma (Majorca) (PMI)
Reus (Tarragona) (REU)
Santander (SDR)
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
Seville (SVQ)
Tenerife North (TFN)
Tenerife South (Reina Sofia) (TFS)
Valencia (VLC)
Valladolid (VLL)
Valverde (VDE)
Vigo (VGO)
Vitoria (VIT)
Zaragoza (ZAZ)
WE DO NOT HAVE SERVICES FOR THIS COUNTRY.
UK Tourist Office
Spanish Tourist Office
P.O. Box 4009
London, W1A 6NB
tel: +44 20 7486 8077 - 24hr automated info & brochure line 0845 9400 180
fax: +44 20 7486 8034
e-mail: londres@tourspain.es
website: www.spain.info
Consulate General of Spain
20 Draycott Place
London, SW3 2RZ
tel: +44 20 7589 8989, 08713760023 (visa enq)
fax: +44 20 7581 7888
e-mail: conspalon@mail.mae.es
website: www.conspalon.org
hours: 0830-1730 (Mon-Fri)
