Spain

Terrorist attacks are likely.

The national terrorism alert has 5 levels. In 2015, it was raised to level 4, 'High'.

In recent years, terrorists have staged attacks in European cities. Targets have included:

• public transport
• transport hubs
• places of worship
• sporting venues
• public places popular with tourists

In August 2017, vehicle attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils killed 16 people and injured many more.

The Spanish Government has increased security in public places, such as:

• shopping areas
• tourist sites
• transport hubs
• major events that attract large crowds

Security services have stopped some planned attacks.

To stay safe, you should:

• be aware of possible threats when planning activities
• be alert in public places known to be possible terrorist targets
• monitor the media for updates
• don't ignore official warnings
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there is an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Demonstrations are ongoing in Barcelona and the Catalan region. 

Demonstrations and strikes can disrupt traffic and transport, including air and rail.

Some demonstrations held close to tourist areas in large cities have ended in clashes with police and resulted in injuries.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To stay safe:

• monitor local media for possible strikes and unrest
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

Contact your travel agent or tour operator about your transport bookings. Be ready to change your plans.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Petty crime

Petty crime is common in large cities. It's a serious problem in Barcelona, especially on public transport and in tourist areas.

Petty crime includes:

• bag snatching
• pickpocketing
• theft from cars

Thieves are very active during the peak summer tourist season. They target:

• tourist attractions
• public transport, railway stations and cruise terminals
• museums
• beaches
• hotel foyers

Take care when placing bags on chairs or on the ground in restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Thieves often work in gangs. Thieves try to distract you by:

• using a large map to offer help
• deliberately spilling something on you

While you're distracted, another thief steals your belongings.

To avoid petty crime:

• take care of your personal belongings, especially in crowds
• leave your passport and other valuables in a safe location
• avoid walking in quiet, poorly lit streets
• monitor the media for news on crime.

Keep your passport and other ID separate. Carry a photocopy of your passport for ID.

Road crime

Road crime occurs throughout Spain.

Take care when driving along the Mediterranean coast from Marseille in France to Valencia in Spain. Cars with foreign number plates are often targets.

Thieves in pairs may convince you to stop because of a 'problem' with your vehicle, then offer to help with a flat or slashed tyre. While one helps, the other steals your belongings.

Keep luggage and personal belongings out of sight.

To stay safe when on the road:

• be wary of offers of help
• always keep car doors locked, even when driving
• use secure parking facilities when you can, especially overnight
• don't leave your vehicle unattended for long periods of time

Thieves also break into caravans and motor homes, particularly in public parking areas.

Credit card fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud can occur.

Avoid using ATMs that open onto the street, especially at night. Use ATMs in banks, shops and shopping centres.

Drink spiking

Cases of drink spiking, followed by theft and sexual assault, are reported.

To protect yourself from crime:

• stick with people you trust in bars and nightclubs
• never accept food or drinks from strangers
• don't leave your food or drink unattended

More information:

• Partying safely

Scams

Scams are common.

Be aware of the latest scams. Don't become a victim.

Some complex scam operations are based in Spain. Inheritance scams are the most common.

Inheritance scams involve receiving an email from someone claiming to be a lawyer. They tell you an unknown Spanish relative has died and left you money.

If you've been a victim of a scam, don't travel to Spain. Seek legal advice.

Running of the Bulls

The annual Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona in July.

Taking part is dangerous. Every year, people are badly injured and sometimes killed.

People are also killed or badly injured jumping from fountains during the festivities in Pamplona.

Your travel insurance may not cover you if:

• you take part in the Running of the Bulls
• jump from fountains
• take other risks

Medicare does not cover you if you're in Spain.

Check the details of your travel insurance policy. Don't take unnecessary risks.

Spain experiences natural disasters and severe weather.

If there's a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities.

Earthquakes

Spain experiences earthquakes but major quakes are rare.

There's lots of seismic activity on the Canary Island of El Hierro. The risk level set by local authorities is Green, which is level 1 of 3.

More information:

• Canary Islands Government

Severe weather

Sometimes Spain experiences extreme storms, especially along the northern coast and islands.

Heavy snow in winter (December to February) can affect northern areas.

Forest fires

Forest fires can occur in summer, from July to September. The risk is higher in rural areas.

Strict fines apply for any actions that could start a fire. If camping, ask local authorities for advice on fire danger and fire restrictions.

If there's a forest fire:

• follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• keep in contact with family and friends
• monitor the media for updates

*This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need.

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you need counselling services while overseas, contact the Australian Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305. Ask to speak to a Lifeline telephone counsellor.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Spain. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

You can't mail or courier medication from Australia to Spain.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

Contact DFAT if you need medical documents authenticated.

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

Spain has confirmed cases of COVID-19 in all regions of the country. If you are in Spain and believe you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone who does, call 112. For general information and questions related to COVID-19, toll-free (from Spain) information lines are available in each Comunidad.

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Other health risks are similar to those in Australia.

Monitor the media and other sources for new health risks.

Follow the advice of Spain's Ministry of Health.

Medical facilities

The standard of medical facilities is high.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines and prison time.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Always carry personal ID. This may include:

• your original driver's licence
• a photocopy of your passport

Police may ask to see ID. They can detain you until they can confirm your identity.

Don't photograph military installations.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Spain doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your Australian passport.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

The below information will apply only once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

Spain is a part of the Schengen area, along with many other European countries. This allows you to enter without a visa in some cases.

You'll need a visa if:

• you're travelling for a purpose other than tourism
• you plan to stay longer than 90 days

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Spain for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

COVID-19

Spain has closed its land, sea and air borders to non-residents for 30 days from 23 March. 

Airports remain open but commercial options to leave are increasingly limited. If you are in Spain and want to return to Australia, check your route carefully with your airline as a number of key transit hubs are closing or becoming severely restricted. Follow the Australian Embassy social media accounts for regular updates on flight options for leaving.

The Spanish Government issued a decree on 19 March to close all hotels and alternative accommodation in Spain within seven days of this date.  If you're relying on these for accommodation, you should leave now by commercial means.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, on 14 March, the Spanish Government announced a State of Alarm, this includes a ban on movement throughout the country and a reduction in all public transport services across Spain.

There are exceptions to the movement restrictions. These include travel to: purchase food, pharmaceuticals and basic necessities; attend a health centre; travel to or from work; return to your place of residence; assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people; disburse necessary financial transactions; or due to force majeure or need.

Flights and passenger ships from Italy have been banned from entering Spain. Cruise ships are not permitted to dock in Spain, except for the disembarkation of Spanish passengers.

Follow the advice of local authorities.

The following information will only apply once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

Make sure you get a legible entry stamp in your passport when you first enter the Schengen area.

Some airlines may want to see proof of entry in the Schengen area or to check you haven't overstayed.

Carry copies of your passport in case authorities stop you. See Local laws

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate.

The currency of Spain is the Euro.

If you're travelling to or from any non-European Union (EU) country, declare funds of 10,000 euros or more, including the equivalent in another currency. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

If you fail to declare currency or give wrong information, you'll be fined.

You don't need to declare funds if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Since 2015, border controls in Europe have been under pressure due to the movement of asylum seekers. Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.

To avoid delays:

• monitor local media for border conditions
• ask your transport provider for updates

Tourist information

Some areas of Spain are popular party destinations. See Safety

If you're travelling to Morocco, read our travel advice for Morocco.

Driving permit

To drive a vehicle, you'll need both:

• a current Australian driver's licence
• a valid international driving permit (IDP)

If you drive without an IDP, you may be fined and your car impounded.

Road travel

Driving in urban areas can be dangerous due to:

• traffic congestion
• aggressive driving
• excessive speeding

Check your vehicle has 2 red warning triangles and a reflective jacket. You must use these in an accident or breakdown.

You can be fined if your vehicle doesn't have these items.

If you hire a vehicle, get safety equipment. Ask the rental company about local traffic rules.

When pollution levels are high in Madrid, temporary restrictions on using cars may apply.

To contact the English-speaking 'Línea Madrid' citizen information and support line:

• call 010 from Madrid
• call (+34 915) 298 210 from outside Madrid

More information:

• Driving or riding

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Spain's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Emergency phone numbers

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

For non-emergency criminal issues, contact the local police.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

The Australian Government has 2 offices in Spain:

• an Embassy in Madrid
• a Consulate in Barcelona

The Embassy provides the full consular services as described in the Consular Services Charter.

The Consulate provides limited consular assistance to Australians in Barcelona.

Australian Embassy, Madrid

Level 24, Torre Espacio Building
Paseo de la Castellana, 259D
28046 Madrid, Spain
Phone: (+34) 91 353 6600
Fax: (+34) 91 353 6692
Website: spain.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Embajada de Australia en España, Andorra y Guinea Ecuatorial
Twitter: @AusEmbEsp

Australian Consulate, Barcelona

Avinguda Diagonal, 433 Bis, First Floor, Door 2
08036 Barcelona, Spain
Phone/Fax: (+34) 93 362 3792
Email: ausconbcn@gmail.com

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia