Passport / ID Spain is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can enter with a valid national ID card. Other nationals require a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure.

Visa Schengen visa required for many non-EU nationals. Check Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for details.

• Additional: International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended if you plan to drive.
• Digital copies: Keep scans of passport and visa in your email/cloud.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Ministry of Interior.

Mandatory No mandatory vaccinations for entry.

Recommended Routine vaccines: MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza. Hepatitis A & B recommended for some travellers.

• Travel health insurance is highly recommended. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state medical care (co-payments apply).
• Medical care is excellent, with well-equipped hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Ministry of Health.

Links: WHO · CDC Spain.

Current situation Spain is generally safe. Check U.S. State Department or UK FCDO for updates.

• Crime: Petty theft (pickpocketing) is common in tourist areas (Barcelona, Madrid), on public transport, and at beaches. Keep valuables secure.
• Regional risks: Some areas of Catalonia have occasional protests; avoid large demonstrations.
• Emergency plan: Save local emergency numbers and embassy contacts.

Official advisories: Ireland · Australia.

• European emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire)
• Police: 091 (National Police), 092 (Local Police)
• Ambulance: 061
• Fire brigade: 080
• Poison Control: 91 562 04 20 (Madrid)
• Breakdown assistance: Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) · 900 100 100

Ministry of Interior: interior.gob.es.

US Embassy in Madrid: Calle de Serrano, 75 · es.usembassy.gov · +34 91 587 2200

UK Embassy Madrid: Calle de Fernando el Santo, 16 · gov.uk/.../british-embassy-madrid · +34 91 714 6300

German Embassy Madrid: Calle de Fortuny, 8 · madrid.diplo.de · +34 91 557 9000

French Embassy Madrid: Calle de Salustiano Olózaga, 9 · es.ambafrance.org · +34 91 423 8900

🔍 Full list of embassies and consulates in Spain

Spain is a vibrant and diverse country at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It has a rich history spanning from the Romans and Moors to the Spanish Empire and modern democracy.

• Political system: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
• Main income: Tourism, services, automotive, and agriculture.
• Nature: Beaches (Costa del Sol, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands), mountains (Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada), and national parks (Picos de Europa, Doñana).

Spanish society is known for its passion for life, late-night culture, and strong regional identities (Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia). Official Tourism Website · Government of Spain.

Climate Diverse: Mediterranean coast (hot summers, mild winters), continental interior (hot summers, cold winters), and subtropical in the Canary Islands.

• Winter (Dec–Feb): 0°C to 15°C (colder in Madrid/central Spain; mild on the coast). Pack layers, a warm coat in central regions.
• Summer (Jun–Sep): 25°C to 40°C (especially in the south). Light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat are essential. Coastal areas are more temperate.
• Spring/Autumn: Mild and pleasant; layering is recommended.
• Clothing: In churches and cathedrals, cover shoulders and knees. On beaches, swimwear is acceptable only on the beach.

AEMET (Spanish weather service).

Official Spanish (Castilian). Other official languages: Catalan, Galician, and Basque. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

• Useful phrases: Hola (hello), Gracias (thanks), Por favor (please), Perdón (excuse me), ¿Habla inglés? (do you speak English?)
• Mentality: Warm, expressive, and sociable. Punctuality is more relaxed in social settings.
• Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, but society is increasingly secular.
• Internet/Wi-Fi: Excellent coverage; free Wi-Fi in many cafes, hotels, and public spaces. Local SIM: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone.

Voltage 230 V · Frequency 50 Hz

Plug types C (Europlug) and F (Schuko). German/Swiss/Austrian plugs fit without adapter.

• Adapter needed? No, for most European devices (Type C/F).
• Converter? Not needed for 230 V devices. For 110 V devices (US, Japan), a step-down converter is required.

Currency Euro (EUR, €). Current exchange rate.

• Cash: Widely used, especially for small purchases. Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops.
• Cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express less common.
• ATMs: Widely available.
• Price level: Medium (lower than Northern Europe; higher than Eastern Europe).
• Tipping: Not mandatory; rounding up is common. Leave 5–10% in restaurants if service was excellent.

Airports Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), Málaga (AGP), Valencia (VLC), and many more.

• Rail: Renfe – high-speed AVE trains connect Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, and Málaga.
• Public transport: Metro (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia), buses, and trams. CRTM (Madrid transport).
• Taxis: Official taxis (white with a red stripe). Use apps: Uber, Bolt, Cabify.
• Ferries: To the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Renfe · Aena (airports).

Hotel types Luxury (Ritz, W Hotel), paradores (historic state-run hotels), mid-range (NH, Meliá), and budget (hostels, pensiones).

• Hostels: Excellent quality, especially in major cities.
• Apartments: Widely available via Booking.com and Airbnb.
• Safety: Generally safe; standard precautions.
• Opening hours: Shops 10:00–20:00 (with siesta break 14:00–17:00 in many regions), later in tourist areas. Sundays closed in smaller towns.
• Local regulations: Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces.

Must-try dishes Paella (Valencia), Tapas (variety), Jamón ibérico (cured ham), Tortilla española (Spanish omelette), Gazpacho (cold tomato soup), and Churros con chocolate.

• Drinks: Spanish wines (Rioja, Ribera del Duero), Cava (sparkling), Sangría, and beer (Mahou, Estrella).
• Street food: Bocadillos (baguette sandwiches), and pinchos (Basque-style tapas).
• Tap water: Safe to drink in most areas.
• Hygiene: High standards.

Time zone UTC+1 (CET) · UTC+2 during summer (CEST).

• Public holidays 2026: 1 Jan (New Year), 6 Jan (Epiphany), 3 Apr (Good Friday), 5 Apr (Easter Sunday), 6 Apr (Easter Monday – regional), 1 May (Labour Day), 15 Aug (Assumption), 12 Oct (National Day), 1 Nov (All Saints), 8 Dec (Immaculate Conception), 25 Dec (Christmas).
• Regional holidays: Many holidays vary by autonomous community (e.g., 23 Apr in Catalonia, 25 July in Galicia).
• Closing days: Most shops closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Event calendar.

Cities & places Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Granada, Bilbao, and the islands (Mallorca, Tenerife).

• Cultural: Prado Museum (Madrid), Sagrada Família (Barcelona), Alhambra (Granada), Seville Cathedral, Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao).
• History: Roman ruins (Mérida, Tarragona), Moorish palaces, and medieval castles.
• Nature: Costa del Sol beaches, Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, Teide Volcano (Tenerife), and Doñana National Park.
• Excursions: Flamenco shows, tapas tours, wine tasting in Rioja, and hiking in the mountains.

Official tourism · Prado Museum.

Nightlife Legendary – Spain has one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in Europe. Madrid, Barcelona, and Ibiza are world-renowned.

• Clubs: Fabrik, Teatro Kapital (Madrid); Razzmatazz, Pacha (Barcelona); Amnesia, Ushuaïa (Ibiza).
• Festivals: La Tomatina (Buñol, Aug), San Fermín (Pamplona, July), Feria de Abril (Seville, Apr), and the Carnival of Cádiz (Feb).
• Classical: Teatro Real (Madrid), Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona).

Event calendar.

• Official Tourism Website Spain
• Government of Spain
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• RTVE (TV/Radio) · El País (newspaper)
• Google Maps — Spain
• YouTube — Spain travel & documentaries
• Google News — Spain