This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Terrorism section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

Ten bombs exploded on trains in Madrid on 11 March 2004. 192 people died and over 1400 were injured. A group purporting to represent Al Qaida claimed responsibility. Travellers should be aware that terrorists have previously targeted Spanish trains. On 2 April, police discovered an explosive device on the Madrid-Seville railway track.

ETA continues to make threats against the tourism industry. There is a chance that visitors could be caught up in further attacks (for examples of earlier incidents see below). Warnings may not always be given or a bomb could explode prematurely.

On 12 August, two small bombs exploded in Gijon and Santander on the north coast of Spain. One person was injured but little damage caused. This followed two similar bomb explosions in Asturias and Cantabria in northern Spain on 7 August. Warnings were given before all explosions. Prior to this, the last two incidents in tourist areas occurred in July 2003, at hotels in the resorts of Alicante and Benidorm. Although warnings were given and the hotels evacuated, both bombs exploded prematurely causing injuries to some police officers and those being evacuated including, in Alicante, one British woman.

As well as tourist facilities, ETA also continues to attack other targets such as Spanish politicians, members of the security forces, judges and journalists. When bombs have been used to target specific individuals, warnings have not been given. In April 2003, one of ETA's internal bulletins included multinational companies with operations in Spain in a long list of possible economic targets. Incidents of street violence in the Basque country, involving youths sympathetic to ETA, and directed against the security forces, political parties and banks, have dropped to all time historical lows over the last year or so. When they do occur, they usually happen late at night, more often than not at weekends, and take the form of petrol bomb or similar home made explosive devices against the homes or offices of local politicians, security force buildings and cash dispensers. There is a heightened risk of incidents occurring during local fiestas.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. The Spanish authorities are fully aware of the impact of terrorism and are taking measures to protect visitors, but you should be vigilant. Disruptions from real or hoax terror attempts can be expected. You should follow the instructions of the local police and other authorities.

Please read the "Security and General Tips" and "Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas".

Crime

Your passport is a valuable document. Look after it! Replacing a lost or stolen passport can be time consuming and expensive.

Street crime is common in many Spanish cities, towns and holiday resorts. It is occasionally accompanied by violence. You should keep all valuable personal items, such as cameras or jewellery, out of sight and avoid carrying passports, credit cards, travel documents and money together in handbags or pockets. Be wary of approaches by strangers either asking for directions or asking for, or offering, help of any kind. These approaches, at times made by bogus policemen, are sometimes ploys to distract attention while they or accomplices make off with valuables and/or take note of credit card numbers for future illegal use. Visitors should be aware that some money exchange booths post one exchange rate and pay at another, claiming, subsequent to the transaction, that the higher rate is applicable only to the exchange of large amounts of money. To date, reports of such practices are confined to Benidorm, where the police are aware and taking action.

To combat street crime, the authorities have increased the police presence in tourist areas. Nevertheless, you should remain alert in all areas (including hotel lobbies, airports, train and bus stations, on public transport, at car rental outlets and even supermarkets and their car parks) and avoid walking alone after dark in quiet locations whenever possible.

In Madrid, you should take particular care in the Puerto de Sol and surrounding streets including the Plaza Mayor, the Retiro Park and Lavapies.

In Barcelona, you should be especially vigilant in the Plaza Catalunya, Ramblas and surrounding streets of the old city and, following a recent spate of violent muggings, the Monjuic area. You should also be vigilant at the airport. The cities and areas listed above are not exclusive and you should take appropriate care and precautions to guard against street crime in all places.

The incidence of rape and sexual assault is statistically low. Nevertheless attacks occur. You are advised not to lower your personal security awareness because you are on holiday. The Spanish authorities have warned that you should also be alert to the availability and possible use of "date rape" and other drugs, including "GBH" and liquid ecstasy.

Motorists should be on the look out for "highway pirates" who target foreign registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans. Motorists are sometimes targeted in service areas and subsequently tricked into stopping on the hard shoulder. The usual ploy is for a passing vehicle to suggest by gesture that there is something seriously wrong with a rear wheel. If you decide to stop to check the condition of your vehicle, you should be extremely wary of anyone offering help. You should lock all vehicle doors and keep bags containing valuables out of sight. Car keys should not be left in the ignition.

We have received several enquiries from members of the public about the authenticity of a letter they have received claiming the addressee has an outstanding traffic fine which must now be paid.  The letters purport to come from two companies: "Medio de Corte Credito Recoudado Estorbar Exigir" (MCCREE) and "Deuda Recaudar Alguacil y Exigir Servicios" (DRAYES).  More versions may appear in the future.

The letters claim that the addressee, during a stay in the Canary Islands, has been reported for a traffic offence, for which a fine must be paid before a stipulated date.  Details of a bank account where this should be paid are given.  Obviously, the "fine" should not be paid: this is a scam.

If you have received a similar letter, you may refer it to the:

Comisaria General de Policia
(Sección de Delitos Patrimoniales)
Calle Luis Doireste Silva No 68
35004 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Local Travel

Gibraltar

Spanish border checks can cause delays to travellers crossing between Spain and Gibraltar.

Road Travel

You should be aware that there is currently a strike by the vehicle rescue services in the Basque Country for an indefinite period of time. Your vehicle will not be towed away in the event of a breakdown. Drivers should contact their insurers and advise the police. If your vehicle is obstructing traffic, it will be moved to the hard shoulder.

You should take particular care when driving in Spain as regulations and customs are different from those in the UK and the accident rate is higher. Pedestrians should take care particularly when crossing roads (even at zebra crossings) or walking along unlit roads at night.

Driving licences and insurance documents must be carried and produced for inspection if required.

It is a legal requirement for motorists travelling to or transiting Spain to carry (in all vehicles) two red warning triangles to be placed, in the event of an accident or breakdown, in front of and behind the vehicle. Failure to comply may result in the imposition of a spot fine of up to 90 Euros. This requirement is in addition to the need for drivers to carry a spare pair of spectacles (if needed for driving), a spare wheel, a spare fan belt and a full set of spare bulbs plus the tools to change them.

A new traffic regulation introduced in July 2004 requires that all drivers, including those of private cars, should carry a reflective jacket  (to be worn at night and in bad light if the vehicle is involved in an accident or has to be left on a road or highway). Drivers can be fined 90 Euros if they do not comply. The new regulation applies to all vehicles, including foreign registered vehicles, driving on Spanish roads.

Spanish law allows the carriage of any loads (eg bicycles) on the back of cars, camper vans or caravans provided the load is securely fixed, does not touch the ground, compromise the stability of the carrying vehicle, create noise or block lights, reflectors, number plates or prevent signals made by the driver from being seen. There is currently no requirement for bicycle racks to be certified or pass a technical inspection. If a trailer is used, bicycle racks must not rest on the drawbar coupling as this could result in the maximum weight allowed for in the trailer’s technical specifications, being exceeded.

Respect Spanish laws and customs. In Spain, the possession of all recreational drugs is illegal. The authorities take the matter of drugs very seriously and the possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment. You should not therefore become involved with drugs of any kind.

 

The Madrid City, the Balearics and Canary Islands Regional Governments have banned, other than in registered street cafes and bars, the consumption of alcohol in the street. Failure to respect this law may result in the imposition of fines.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Spanish Embassy in London.

You should hold a completed E111 form. This is obtainable free of charge at most UK post offices, and will cover the costs of any emergency health care you receive at State run hospitals during your stay. But, please note that those unlucky enough to be involved in an accident may be taken to a private clinic in the first instance where an E111 will not be valid to settle the bill. You are therefore strongly recommended to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Additionally, an E111 form gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature. Visitors to Andorra, which is not an EU member, are specifically reminded that E111 forms are not accepted there.

 

For further information on health, check the Department of Health's website at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice/index.htm

Purchase of Property, Timeshare Ownership and Holiday Clubs

 

If you intend to purchase a property in Spain you are strongly advised to engage a local lawyer. For further information on living and working in Spain, please visit our Embassy website: http://www.ukinspain.com. Some general guidance notes on purchasing property are also available from the Spanish Desk in the Consular Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Room G/105-6, Old Admiralty Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2PA; and from British Consular Offices in Spain.

 

It is probable that a British couple searching for property in the Valencia region recently became the victims of an unscrupulous gang posing as property vendors. The couple were abducted by the gang, forced to hand over money to them and subsequently murdered. This is an isolated incident and the persons responsible have been apprehended by the police. However, British Citizens purchasing property in Spain are strongly recommended to deal only with established and reputable estate agents or with other contacts whom they know to be reliable and genuine, and to make all payments within bank premises and/or through banking channels.

 

Timeshare ownership is well established in Spain with many known and respected companies, agents and resorts operating legally, fairly and successfully. However, there are equally many unscrupulous companies in operation, some of which claim to provide various incentives (including stock market investments and discounts on airfares and accommodation) when exchanging existing timeshare ownership or taking out membership of holiday clubs. More often than not, such inducements do not materialise once a deal has been signed and sealed. If you are approached by agents operating such schemes, you should treat the approaches with the utmost caution.

 

Purchases of Tobacco products for export

 

HM Customs and Excise recently revised its guidelines on the amount of tobacco products British citizens may import into the United Kingdom for personal use from other European Union countries. However, under Spanish law, the number of cigarettes for personal use which may be exported from Spain without additional paperwork remains unchanged at 800. Anything above this amount is regarded as a trade transaction, which must be accompanied by the required documentation. Anyone who intends to export more than 800 cigarettes should consult the Spanish Customs authorities before any purchases are made.

 

If travellers are apprehended with more than 800 cigarettes, but without the necessary accompanying documentation, the Spanish authorities are liable to seize the excess cigarettes or impose a large fine. Travellers to the Canary Islands should note that, although part of Spain, the Canary Islands are outside the EU trading zone.

 

Dangerous cigarette lighters

 

United Kingdom airlines and the Civil Aviation Authority are concerned about the serious fire risk in hold loaded luggage arising from promotions in Spanish holiday resorts in which cigarette lighters are attached to and/or packed in cartons of some brands of cigarettes. The lighters have a sensitive electronic ignition, which can be activated by movement within a suitcase as it is being transported. Travellers who buy such cartons of cigarettes are advised to remove the lighters and dispose of them prior to their return flight as these lighters should not be carried on board an aircraft.

 

Skiing

 

If you are planning a skiing holiday, it is advisable to contact the Spanish Tourist Office in London for advice on safety and weather conditions before travelling. They can be contacted at: 22-23 Manchester Square, London, W1M 5AP; Tel: 020 7486 8077; Fax: 020 7486 8034.

 

You should be aware that off-piste skiing is highly dangerous. All safety instructions should be followed meticulously given the dangers of avalanches in some areas. Further information can be obtained at the following websites: http://goski.com/spain.htm and http://www.avalanches.org

 

You should be aware that, on rare occasions, the consumption of alcohol combined with low temperatures and high altitude can be fatal.

 

Emergency telephone number: 112.

 

For further information and Consular details in Spain, please visit the British Embassy website: http://www.ukinspain.com.

 

The Euro

 

You are reminded that the currency of Spain is the Euro.

 

European Union

 

Information on the EU can be found at: Travelling and Living in the EU (pdf) and Britain and the European Union.

Spain Country Profile