Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is
divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change
and major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit
cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels,
restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the
cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.
Currency Exchange Rates
EUR 1.00 =
rate 1.36
rate 0.68
rate 1.51
rate 1.66
rate 9.47
rate 1.00
rate 1.85
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Language:
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely
understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and
Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.
Entry requirements for Americans:
United States citizens require a passport valid for period of
intended stay and a return ticket or proof of onward travel. No
visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British citizens must hold a passport (can be expired for up to
one year), but no visa is required for a maximum stay of three
months for those holding a passport endorsed British Citizen,
British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen
or British Subject. Other UK passport holders require a visa and a
passport valid at least three months beyond visa expiry date.
Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadians require a passport valid for period of intended stay
and a return ticket or proof of onward travel. No visa is required
for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens require a passport valid for at least
period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to
three months.
Entry requirements for South African:
South Africans should apply in advance for a Schengen visa to
enter Spain. Passports should be valid for at least three months
beyond expiry date of visa.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a valid passport, but a visa is not
necessary for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zeland nationals:
New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for the period
of intended stay, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to
three months.
Passport/Visa Note:The borderless region known as the Schengen area
includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these
countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder, in
principal, to travel freely within the borders of all. Non-EU
nationals must hold a return or onward ticket. All visitors may be
asked for proof of financial means for their stay in
Spain.
Embassy or Consulate in US:
Spanish Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 452
0100.
Embassy or Consulate in UK:
Spanish Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589
8989.
Embassy or Consulate in Canada:
Spanish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 747 2252
Embassy or Consulate in Australia:
Spanish Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3555.
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa:
Spanish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 344
3875/6/7.
US Embassy or Consulate:
United States Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 587 2240.
UK Embassy or Consulate:
British Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 700 8200.
Canadian Embassy or Consulate
Canadian Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 423 3250.
Australian Embassy or Consulate:
Australian Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 353 6600.
South African Embassy or Consulate:
South African Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 436 3780.
Health:There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain,
and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Bird flu
was detected in a dead bird in July 2006, and although there is
little risk to travellers, close contact with live birds should be
avoided and all poultry products well cooked as a precaution. No
human deaths or infections have been reported. Spain has a
reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the
UK, providing free emergency health care at State run hospitals. UK
travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Note that private clinics are not covered, and the scheme gives no
entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover
ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel
insurance is advised.
TippingHotel and restaurant bills usually include service
charges, but additional tips are welcomed for services rendered. In
restaurants tips of about 15% are expected. In Mallorca
value-added-tax is usually included in restaurant bills, designated
'I.V.A', and may be mistaken for a service charge. Drivers of
metered taxis expect tips of 10-15%. It is customary to tip small
amounts, usually 5-10% for most services, including
guides.
SafetyThe ceasefire declared on 24 March 2006 was to be the first
step towards peace between the Spanish government and the ETA;
however talks of peace were shattered on 30 December 2006 when the
ETA detonated a car bomb in the T4 parking lot of Madrid's Barajas
Airport, injuring 24 people. From 5 June 2007, the ETA declared an
official end to the ceasefire, which suggests attacks could be
imminent. The group has been responsible for numerous bomb
explosions across Spain, and is blamed for the deaths of over 800
people in its fight for independence, which has lasted for four
decades. There is still a potential risk of international
terrorism, as in other countries, although the risk to tourists is
considered to be low. However most visits to Spain are
trouble-free, except for street crime, which is common in the big
cities, and travellers are advised to take precautions to avoid
theft of passports, credit cards, travel documents and money. Be
wary of strangers offering or asking for help of any kind, as it is
often a distraction for accomplices. There are scams involving
letters sent, either stating that the visitor has outstanding
traffic fines from their stay, which must be paid into the given
bank account before a certain date, or notifying the visitor that
they have won the Spanish lottery and are required to deposit an
amount of money into a bank account to secure their
winnings.
Customs: Smoking in public places is banned and stiff fines will be
imposed for smoking in areas such as enclosed public spaces, areas
where food is prepared and sold, public transport, designated areas
of bars and restaurants, and any places that cater for children.
Drinking alcohol in the streets of Madrid, and in the Canary and
Balearic Islands is illegal.
Communications: The international access code for Spain is +34. The
outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g.
(0)93 for Barcelona and (0)91 for Madrid. Pay phones are either
blue or green and accept either coins or phone cards, which are
sold at post offices, tobacco shops, and newsagents. Three mobile
phone operators provide thorough GSM 900/1800 coverage throughout
the country and the Balaeric and Canary Islands. Email and Internet
access is available at Internet cafes in most towns and
resorts.
Duty Free:Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries
do not pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or
250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol content higher
than 22%, or 2 litres dessert wine not exceeding 22% and sparkling
wine, and 2 litres still wine; perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de
toilette. Travellers over 15 years do not pay duty on 500g coffee
or 200g coffee extract; 100g tea or 40g tea extract; medicine for
personal consumption; and goods to the value of EUR175 per adult or
EUR90 for children under 15 if arriving from non-EU countries.
Strictly prohibited are poultry products from Asia.
