Visitors Guide to Spain

Residency, Visas and Passports

Passports are required by all non-EU citizens when travelling to Spain, including British nationals. People from the European Union will need to present an ID card upon entry to Spain if not travelling with a passport.

Many nationalities will require a visa when travelling to Spain, the restrictions on visas should be confirmed with an embassy or consulate prior to visiting to ensure correct and up to date information. Citizens from the US, Canada and Australia will not need to obtain a visa to travel to Spain for stays of up to 90 days. EU and British citizens do not require visas for visiting the country.

All EU nationals have the freedom to enter and live in Spain. An NIE number will need to be obtained to carry out property purchases and open bank accounts. These numbers are straight forward to arrange and can be organised by a lawyer or assisted by a real estate agent when purchasing a property.

If planning to live in the country, a residency permit will be required. There are several companies and legal firms that can assist with the paperwork, yet it is also possible for individuals to make the arrangements for themselves. The residency card will also include the NIE number and is valid for 5 years before it is necessary to renew the permit.

Requirements and restrictions for obtaining residency can change at times. It is advisable to enquire about the restrictions for individual circumstances and nationalities at the police station of the location where the person requesting the permit intends to live.

Getting There

Spain is well connected by air transport to the rest of Europe and the surrounding non European countries. Numerous daily flights are available to all of the major cities and touristic regions, with many low cost operators providing various scheduled and charter flight connections. Flight time from Madrid to most European cities is around 3 hours, while Madrid is approximately 1 hour flight to all of the Spanish coastal destinations.

Driving to Spain is a popular option for many visitors, with an excellent network of highways linking the country. The land borders with France and Portugal can be crossed freely, without any type of border controls. The land border with Andorra may involve being stopped to check the limitation allowance of tax free goods entering the country.

The land border with Gibraltar can be quite busy and slow at times. Every car will be stopped upon entering and exiting to check ID and the limitation of tax free goods exiting Gibraltar. If planning to visit Gibraltar from Spain for a day trip, it can be more convenient to walk through the border. This will lessen the time involved in passing through the controls, yet it is also important to watch out for aircraft when crossing the runway.

As Spain has a large coast line, the option of arriving by ferry or cruise ship is also a possibility. Regular passenger ferries travel to Spain from the UK, France, Morocco, Italy, Algeria and Sardinia.

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Local Transport

Throughout Spain the country enjoys an excellent and varied public transport system, with services extending to the most remote areas. Public buses run routes on a regular basis as a cost effective transport method, with convenient stops along each route. Waving down the driver will help to ensure the bus will not drive straight past. When boarding the bus, having the correct change available will assist with avoiding bad manners from the driver.

Train lines extend across the country with smaller lines for local systems and high speed train lines also link several major cities. High speed trains are relatively new additions to the country’s transport systems, offering a competitive alternative to flights with regards to comfort, cost and timing. Madrid and Barcelona have excellent metro systems, with stations conveniently located within the airports.

Most Spanish residents have personal cars, making congestion an issue in peak hours. If travelling on highways during the start and finish of holiday or long weekend breaks, the road networks can become extremely busy. Long delays can be expected, especially if there has been even a minor accident along the route.

Motor scooters are a favoured form of transport for the youth. Considered to be a convenient and cost effective form of general transport, the “motos” can be an irritation to drivers with their common inconsideration towards general road rules.

Taxis are readily available throughout Spain, with taxi ranks often conveniently located in airports, shopping centres, markets and touristic areas. Travelling by taxi can be expensive, yet drivers will often be able to provide an approximate price of the journey prior to travelling if requested. Many common routes will have set prices, although the metre may still be used. Do not expect taxi or bus drivers to speak English, even in touristic areas. Most taxi drivers will know the larger hotels in touristic areas. Having the full address written down to assist with directions might enable a shorter and more comfortable journey.

Health and Safety

Spain is a very safe place for visiting and re-locating with many modern facilities and respect to those who travel around the country. Many of the coastal resorts have built their economy on tourism, enabling the ambience to be a relaxed combination of a Mediterranean lifestyle with a cosmopolitan outlook.

Throughout the country the residents and visitors enjoy a predominantly outdoor lifestyle that is very family oriented. Most areas throughout the country are considered safe to travel alone, even for women. The most likely problem that any visitor is likely to encounter, as with most other locations around the world, is pickpockets in crowded areas such as public transport.

Travelling with a general awareness of the surroundings can enable a problem free holiday. It is also recommended to stay out of the poorer areas on the outskirts of the cities. It is advisable to be careful when crossing roads, even at the designated pedestrian crossings, as this can assist with avoiding possible pain and discomfort.

If encountering any problems when travelling, the police are willing to assist with resolving matters. Many can speak some English in the touristic resort areas, and it is very important to never try to bribe the police.

Health services in Spain are considered to be excellent and residents receive free health care services through their social security contributions. The tap water throughout the country is safe to drink, yet many people prefer to drink bottled water which is readily available.

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