ABOUT SPAIN

Spain is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture that is sure to impress visitors. From the historic cities of Madrid and Seville to the beaches of the Costa del Sol, there is something for everyone. Spain is also famous for its delicious cuisine, including dishes such as paella and tapas, and its vibrant nightlife.

Entering Spain

If you are a citizen of a European Union country, you have few worries. The country is part of the Schengen area, so you can travel without restrictions, visas or even a passport - just your national identity card. 

Currency

You pay in euros in Spain. Most merchants now routinely accept all payment cards from the world's major card associations. However, if you want to hire a car, for example, carry a credit card with you, not just an ordinary one. It may not be enough.

There is a dense network of ATMs in all cities. However, we recommend that you only withdraw money from those operated by banks. If you come across ATMs run by other operators, such as Euronet, you are likely to be charged a withdrawal fee, which can be up to €10 or 10 per cent of the transaction. 

Health

All tourists in Spain are entitled to the same emergency medical care as local residents. If you're from the European Union, you can access an even wider range of public healthcare services by showing a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you don’t have one yet, you can apply for it easily at your local post office or online, depending on your country.

Visitors from outside the EU,  including those from the UK, USA, Australia, or elsewhere, will need to claim the cost of any medical treatment through their travel or health insurance, except in the case of emergency care. So make sure your insurance policy covers emergency medical treatment abroad, just in case.

Pharmacies (farmacias) are easy to find all over the city, and they’re usually marked with a green cross. Many medicines that would require a prescription in countries like the UK, USA, or Australia can be bought over the counter in Spain, often at reasonable prices. Pharmacists are helpful and knowledgeable, and in many places, staff speak English.

It's always a good idea to carry any personal medications with you and bring a list of important medical information, including allergies and blood type, just in case.

Electricity

230 V AC with a frequency of 5 Hz is common in Spain, as it is throughout continental Europe. 

Mobile phone services

There are three main mobile phone operators in Spain. They are Wind, Vodafone and TIM. European Union citizens pay the standard tariff in their home country. However, data charges may vary. 
If you're travelling from outside the EU, it's worth getting a pre-paid card, which you can buy at petrol stations or newsagents. The WIND tariff is usually the cheapest.

Important telephone numbers

The international dialling code for Spain is +34
Emergency (police, ambulance and fire brigade): 112
Police: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire brigade: 080

Interesting facts about Spain

Spain is the fourth largest country in Europe by area and Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese.

Spain is a constitutional monarchy, which means that its powers are limited by the constitution. The Spanish monarchy is one of the oldest in Europe and is considered one of the most important institutions in the country's history and culture.

The world's first novel, Don Quixote, was written in Spanish by Miguel de Cervantes in the early 17th century. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time. It was first published in two parts in 1605 and 1615.

Spain has over 8,000 kilometres of beaches. From romantic sandy beaches to the unique volcanic black sand beaches of the Canary Islands. The beaches of Valencia and Catalonia with their colourful umbrellas or the turquoise coves of the Balearic Islands. 

Spain has a rich history. Its 49 UNESCO-listed monuments bear witness to this. Among the most famous are the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex in Granada, Park Güell in Barcelona, designed by the famous architect Antoni, and the historic city of Toledo in central Spain. 

Spain is known for its varied and delicious cuisine, with each region having its own specialities and traditional dishes. Some of the most famous Spanish dishes are paella, tapas and tortilla. The tradition of tapas, small plates of food meant to be shared, originated as a way for people to enjoy a drink and a bite of food at the same time. Spanish cured meats such as jamón ibérico, a smoked ham from an Iberian pig, go well with tapas.

Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil, an essential ingredient in many Spanish dishes. The country has more than 300 million olive trees and olive oil production is a major industry.