The passport or travel document is always required and must be valid for up to three months after the expected date of departure from the Schengen area, and must have been issued within the previous 10 years to the date of entry.
Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may enter and travel within Spain with their national identity document or with their valid passport (unaccompanied minors travelling with an identity document must travel with a document certifying their parent or guardian’s permission).
Tourists of certain nationalities require a valid visit visa currently in force. The visit visa will not be necessary if the traveller has a residence permit or a long-stay visa issued by a Schengen State.
In all cases, the tourist must be able to prove the availability of economic resources for the planned stay in Spain and the return or transfer to another country. The maximum stay in Spain as a tourist is 90 days.You can consult more information and exceptions on the website of the Ministry of Interior. Since conditions may vary, we suggest that you contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate to verify these requirements before you start your trip.
Short-stay visas: This is the general visa for tourists who are nationals of countries outside the Schengen Area, enabling them to stay and travel in Spain for 90 days. They are issued by the embassies or consulates of Spain in the country of origin. Visas issued by any member of the Schengen Area are also valid.
How can you see a doctor in Spain?
Emergency treatment is guaranteed for everyone and is provided in hospitals and some health centres. Care at private centres will always be charged.
We recommend always travelling with international medical insurance, especially if you are not a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or a country with a bilateral healthcare agreement with Spain that covers assistance.
Medical care for illness or accident is free to citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein as long as they have a European Health Card (EHIC) and the reason for the trip is not to seek specific medical treatment. If you forget your EHIC, you will have to pay all the costs and request reimbursement back in your country.
Andorra, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Tunisia have bilateral agreements with Spain that guarantee medical and hospital care to their citizens in Spain. However, you will need to have the appropriate certificate issued in your country of origin. If you forget your certificate, you will have to pay all the costs and request reimbursement back in your country.
Here you can consult the different bilateral agreements with Spain on healthcare.
UK citizens will be covered by the Spanish National Health System. It is envisaged that the UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC) or the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will provide this coverage. Find more information in the Brexit info section.
Where can you buy medicines?
In Spain, medicines are purchased from chemists. You will see these in the streets with the green crosses. If you come from a European country or a country that has a healthcare agreement with Spain, you’ll be eligible for the same pharmaceutical services as Spaniards.
Smoking. Where is it prohibited?
In Spain, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public areas (including public or collective transport vehicles).
It is also prohibited to smoke in healthcare facilities (including outdoor areas that are part of their premises), educational or training centres (except in outdoor spaces in universities and adult education centres) and playgrounds and play areas (outdoor spaces equipped for children).
Many hotels and other establishments have rooms for smokers. These must be in separate areas with separate ventilation.
What is the official currency in Spain?
The Euro (€). You can consult its official value on the European Central Bank website. One Euro is made up of 100 cents, and there are eight different coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 Euros), and seven notes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros).
Where can I get money or exchange my money to €?
Cash is usually withdrawn from automatic teller machines at bank branches. In addition, in Spain it is easy to find ATMs to withdraw cash in shopping centres and shopping areas, large urban centres and historic centres in small towns.
If you need to change your money to €, you will be able to do so at bureaus de change, at various banks, and at the majority of hotels and travel agencies.
If you need to send money from Spain or receive money that has been sent to Spain, you can do so from the Spanish postal and parcel service offices (Correos office), which you will find in any tourist destination, and through specialised companies in large cities.
Do I need to give tips? Is it recommended?
It is not obligatory to give tips in Spain, as all establishments include the service charge. However, it is common to give tips in bars and restaurants, hotels and taxis. The amount of the tip depends on the amount of the bill and the generosity of the client, although it usually varies between five and ten percent of the total amount.
How can I pay in Spain?
In Spain you can pay in cash in almost all cases, and usually only Euros are accepted. In some cases, if the payment is made through a machine, it may be necessary to pay by card.
The option to pay with credit and debit cards, mainly Visa and Mastercard, is very widespread. However, a minimum consumption of around €10 may be required for payment by card and this may be subject to commissions depending on the conditions of your card.
When making payments, it is not acceptable to haggle the marked price.
How can you get online during your trip?
If your mobile phone account was contracted in the European Union, in Spain you will be able to connect to the Internet under the same conditions and at your normal rate. In some cases, the operator may limit consumption.
For mobile phone numbers from outside the European Union, connecting to the Internet involves an extra charge on top of the normal rate, which depends on the operator. A good option could be purchasing a prepaid SIM card with a data allowance that meets your needs.
Moreover, in Spain you will find Wi-Fi connections available in hotels, shops, leisure centres, restaurants and some public buildings, such as libraries. In many cases, the connection is free. In others, there is a charge depending on the time spent connected.
Plus, thanks to recent technological advances, you’ll now enjoy extensive 5G coverage across the country and access to ultra-fast broadband connections of at least 100 Mbps.
What are the main options for phoning from Spain?
If your mobile phone account was contracted in the European Union, your normal rate will apply in Spain.
For phone calls from mobile phones contracted outside the European Union, each call will have a surcharge on top of the normal rate, which depends on the operator. Two good options are to purchase a prepaid SIM card with minutes for calls from a mobile phone, or to purchase separate calling cards that you can use from any phone. If you opt for a SIM card, remember that the phone must have GSM technology.
In big cities, there are also many telephone boxes from which you can make international calls.
Remember that to phone another country from Spain you must first dial 00 and then the country code of the destination country. Spain’s code is “34” and it must also be dialed when phoning Spain from abroad from any telephone. Calls within Spain do not require a code and all phone numbers have nine digits.
What type of plugs can you use in Spain?
Sockets meet European regulations and use the round pin system. However, most hotels have adaptors for different plugs.
Electricity supply in Spain is AC 220 volts, 50 Hertz. Always check that the electrical apparatuses that you are going to use work on this voltage.
Is Spain a safe country?
Spain is one of the safest countries in the world. As in any other country, there are minimum safety measures based on theft prevention. In this regard, it is advisable to only carry with you the money that you will need, to pay attention at times when there are large crowds of people in transport or shopping centres, and to avoid passing through empty places.
What is the emergency telephone number?
The emergency telephone number is 112. It is free to call, and available throughout Spain. The emergency services can track the location of the call, and there is a tele-translation service in multiple languages.
Safe tourism and AlertCops
AlertCops is a free mobile application that anyone, regardless of their language, origin or hearing or vocal disabilities, can use to notify law enforcement authorities of an alert, information, data or news about a crime or security incident that they are a victim of or witness to. The Alertcops app is a complementary channel to contact the Spanish “Policía Nacional” or “Guardia Civil” quickly, discreetly and efficiently. The app is available in English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.
The Safe Tourism Plan aims to promote a safer environment for tourists visiting Spain and permanently increase security in tourism areas. It features, for example, the Foreign Tourist Service (SATE), which helps and assists people who have been victims of a crime or offence, in their own language. Click on the following links to watch the video and download the police brochures with the safety tips for tourists and the recommendations for travelling in Spain safely.
In January, Madrid follows Central European Time (CET, UTC+1).
In Spain, the Tax-Free (VAT Reimbursement) policy allows non-EU residents to claim a refund on the Value Added Tax (VAT, IVA in Spanish) for purchases made in the country. Here’s how it works:
Who Can Apply?
- Non-EU residents (tourists from outside the European Union)
- Residents of Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla (as these regions have different tax systems)
What Purchases Are Eligible?
- Goods bought for personal use (clothing, electronics, souvenirs, etc.)
- Purchases made in participating stores (look for “Tax-Free Shopping” signs)
- Minimum purchase amount: €90.15 (including VAT) per store, per day
What Is Not Eligible?
- Services (hotels, restaurants, car rentals, etc.)
- Items already used in Spain
Purchases without the required minimum amount
How to Get Your VAT Refund?
- Ask for a Tax-Free Form at the store when purchasing. Provide your passport as proof of non-EU residency.
- Validate Your Purchase at Customs before leaving Spain. At the airport, go to the DIVA Kiosk (Digital VAT Refund System) or visit a customs officer to stamp your form.
- Submit Your Refund Claim:
- At a Tax-Free operator desk (e.g., Global Blue, Planet, Innova Tax Free). They may provide an immediate refund (with a fee).
- By mailing the stamped form back to the retailer for a direct refund to your bank/card.
Refund Methods
- Cash (at the airport refund desk)
- Credit card refund (takes a few weeks)
- Bank transfer or PayPal (depends on the operator)
In January, Madrid experiences winter weather, with cold temperatures and occasional rain. Here’s what you can expect:
- Average temperature: 2°C to 12°C (36°F to 54°F)
- Mornings and nights: Often near freezing, around 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F)
- Afternoons: Milder, around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F)
- Rainfall: Low to moderate, with occasional drizzles
- Snow: Rare but possible, especially in colder years
- Sunshine: Around 5-6 hours of sun per day
It’s best to dress in layers, wear a warm coat, and bring gloves and a scarf if you plan to be outside for long periods.