Practical Information Spain
Posted on 8 Jun 2010
Last modified on 8 Jun 2010
Entry into Spain
The documentation for travel to Spain vary depending on the country from which you come.
If you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein: you need a passport or valid identity. All children under 16 years can be included in the passport of a parent or guardian, if they have the same nationality of the passport holder and travel with it. Furthermore, if the young person is traveling with the identity card, it must be accompanied by a parent’s permission.
If you come for the following countries (Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Uruguay and Venezuela): you must present a valid passport, allowing you to stay in Spain for a maximum period of 90 days.
If you come from another country, and according to criteria established by the EU, you have to apply for a visa to the Consulate of Spain in your place of residence. You will also require a valid passport.Furthermore, if considered appropriate, the Spanish authorities may require a document showing the establishment of accommodation, confirmation of booking of an organized tour, return ticket or an invitation by an individual. They may require you to show possession of sufficient funds for maintenance during your stay in Spain. It is advisable to take out travel insurance.
Customs
There are no limits on what you can buy and take with you when traveling between European Union countries as long as it is for personal use. However, according to European Commission decision, travelers cannot bring into the European Union animal food for own consumption as part of their baggage (meats, meat products, milk and dairy products). The only exceptions are baby milk powder in commercial packaging, and special foods required for medical reasons. All other foods may be introduced in Spain to a maximum weight of one kilogram.
Monetary amounts greater than 6,010.12 euros must be declared. If you are over 18 years you are authorized to carry, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. You are allowed to bring one liter of alcohol exceeding 22 °, and two liters if graduation is lower. Perfumery products are also limited to 50 grams of perfume and 0.25 liters of toilet water.
Emergency
Call 112
Climate
Spain is divided into three climatic zones. The ocean north (Galicia, Cantabria, Basque Country) has a climate characterized by regular rainfall and mild temperatures throughout the year without any excess in the summer. The center of Spain (Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon) has a continental climate: cold, dry winter, hot summer. On the Mediterranean coast (from Catalonia to Andalusia), winter is mild and summer heat wave is often, especially in Andalusia. Rainfall is concentrated in the spring and fall.
Official Languages
Spanish is the official national language. It is also called Castilian because in the beginning was the language of Castile. The Spanish constitution of December 1978 recognized three regional languages: Catalan, Euskera and Galician. They are the official languages of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country and Galicia. The Valencian is an official language of the Valencian Community since 1982.
Schedules
The Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus an hour in winter or two hours during the summer. applies to the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. For the Canary Islands applies the Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour during the summer, so you always have a one hour time difference less compared to that of the Peninsula and Balearic Islands.
Spain changes time in summer and winter. The last weekend of October back the clock one hour (at 0300 are 0200) and the last weekend of March, one hour ahead (to 0200 is 0300).
The regular schedule of breakfast is 8-10 am. Lunch, at restaurants, is from 13 to 15.30 hours. Dinner is served from 20.30 to 23 hours. Many establishments offer continuous service throughout the day, a practice that is common to the cafes and bars, in many of which you can take snacks and meals. Theatres offer a single session starting on 20 hours. Nightlife in Spain has a special meaning, especially from Thursday to Sunday. The pubs, bars and discos stay open until 3 or 4 in the morning and in the large cities there are many places that stay open until dawn.
The most common business hours are Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 13.30 pm and from 16:30 to 20 hours. Large shopping malls and stores are open continuously from 10 to 21 or 22 hours. Some Sunday of the year the supermarkets are also open to the public. In coastal regions, in high season, establishments are usually open until after 22 hours. Pharmacies have a regular schedule from 9.30 am to 13.30 pm and from 16.30 to 20 hours, while in large cities there are some that remain open around the clock. There is a rotating duty schedule, displayed on the premises and in the press, for services at night and weekends.
Driving
To drive in Spain you must be 18 years. To rent a vehicle you must have 21. Many companies also require a minimum of one or two years in the driver’s license. Remember that you must have a credit card when renting a vehicle.
If you are of a member countries of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as those countries that have adopted the standard license under the Conventions of Geneva or Vienna: only is required your driving license in force. If you come from a country other than the above must possess an International Driving Permit.
Transport
Airports
Spain has several international airports, the most important of Barajas, in Madrid, where you can reach the city by taxi, bus or underground. Other cities with international airports are: Barcelona, Alicante, Bilbao, Malaga, Sevilla, Valencia and Santiago de Compostela.
Plane
The Spanish flagship airline Iberia is covering international and domestic destinations. The vast majority of international companies have flights to major centers of Spain. Other companies that deal with coastal destinations are Spanair and Air Europa.
Car
Spain has a network of more than 150,000 kms of roads. The motorways are well maintained, and cross the country from north to south, and in some it takes a toll on ESP. The speed limit is 120 km / h on motorways, 90 km / h on other roads, and descends to 50 km / h in populated areas.
Train
The railway network is run by the state company RENFE, and connects all regions of the peninsula. The trains have mostly air-conditioned and restaurant car. There are high-speed trains between Madrid and Seville and Madrid and Malaga. There are tourist trains, including express Transcantábrico and Andaluz, which are a good way to discover these regions. The Spanish rail service is one of the cheapest in Europe and has discounts like the Railway Tourist Card, which allows unlimited travel between three and ten days in the period of two months. You can also use the European rail passes. It is recommended to reserve seats for intercity services.
Urban Transport
Metro: There are underground networks in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Bilbao.
Bus: All Spanish cities have excellent bus networks. In some cities have common tickets for different modes of transport.
Taxis are found on all large cities, and it is customary to tip of two or three percent.