Practical Info A–Z

Spain has an excellent public healthcare system — regularly ranked among the top 10 in international rankings. The life expectancy (83.5 years) is one of the highest in the world.

For EU Citizens

With the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — on the back of your German health card — you are entitled to medical care in public facilities under the same conditions as Spaniards. This means: emergency room (Urgencias) free of charge, doctor visits at the Centro de Salud (health center) free of charge, medications with co-payment.

Where to go in case of illness?

• Centro de Salud: The public doctor's office — for minor illnesses. Waiting times can be long (2–4 hours). Without an appointment (sin cita), go to the acute consultation
• Urgencias (Emergency Room): In every public hospital (Hospital). For serious cases. Waiting times for non-life-threatening cases often 4–8 hours
• Private Doctors & Private Clinics: Faster treatment, but at a cost (doctor visit €50–100, specialist €80–150). In tourist areas, there are German-speaking doctors — hotel receptions have lists
• Pharmacies (Farmacias): Recognizable by the green cross. Pharmacists in Spain are allowed to advise and sell more than in Germany — many prescription medications (except antibiotics) can be obtained here without a prescription. At night and on weekends: Farmacia de Guardia (emergency pharmacy, notice at every pharmacy)

Spain has used the Euro (€) since 2002 — no currency exchange needed for travelers from the Eurozone.

Cash vs. Card

Spain is increasingly card-friendly. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere — even for small amounts in bars and bakeries. Contactless payment (tarjeta contactless) is standard. However: Small village bars, market vendors, Chiringuitos (beach bars), and parking meters often still require cash.

Withdrawing Money

• ATMs (Cajeros): Available everywhere, even in small villages. Most Spanish banks do not charge an ATM fee — except Euronet (the bright blue machines in tourist areas that charge 3–5 € fees). Avoid them!
• DKB, ING, N26, Revolut: These cards allow free withdrawals in the Eurozone
• When asked "Withdraw in euros or local currency?" always choose "local currency" (i.e., euros) — otherwise, you pay a worse rate (Dynamic Currency Conversion)

Banks & Opening Hours

Spanish banks are generally open Mon–Fri 8:30–14:00, some branches also Thu 17–19:30. In summer often only until 13:00. Branches are rapidly being reduced — in rural areas, there is often only one ATM left.

Shopping in Spain follows its own rules — shaped by the siesta, Sunday as a rest day, and a preference for specialized shops over supermarkets.

Supermarkets

• Mercadona: Spain's largest supermarket chain — affordable, well-stocked, own brand "Hacendado" with surprisingly good quality. In every city
• Lidl & Aldi: Like in Germany, slightly different assortment. Good for basics
• Carrefour: Large hypermarkets on the outskirts plus small Express branches in centers
• El Corte Inglés: The department store of Spain — supermarket in the basement with an excellent gourmet department (Club del Gourmet). More expensive, but best quality. In every major city

Market Halls (Mercados)

Spain's market halls are culinary cathedrals. Fresh fish, Ibérico ham, olives, cheese, fruit — all of the best quality. The most beautiful:

• Mercado de San Miguel (Madrid) — Gourmet market in a beautiful iron structure. Touristy, but fantastic for tasting
• Mercat de la Boqueria (Barcelona, on the Ramblas) — the most famous, most authentic in the morning
• Mercado de la Ribera (Bilbao) — Europe's largest covered market hall
• Mercado Central (Valencia) — Art Nouveau building with 1,200 stalls
• Mercado de Triana (Seville) — less touristy than the Mercado de la Encarnación, more authentic

Typical Souvenirs

• Jamón ibérico (vacuum-packed), Manchego cheese, olive oil from Jaén (best quality worldwide)
• Pimentón de la Vera (smoked paprika powder from Extremadura)
• Azulejos (hand-painted tiles), ceramics from Talavera or Granada
• Leather goods from Ubrique (Cádiz) — many luxury brands produce here
• Espadrilles (originals from the Basque Country or Catalonia)

Spain has 14 official holidays per year — 9 national and 5 regional (each Comunidad Autónoma chooses its own). In addition, there are local holidays in each city. It can happen that it's a holiday in Valencia, but not in Madrid — and vice versa.

National Holidays

Important Regional Holidays

• March 19: San José (Valencia) — Highlight of the Fallas
• April 23: Día de San Jorge / Sant Jordi (Aragón/Catalonia) — Book and Rose Day in Barcelona
• May 2: Comunidad de Madrid — Commemoration of the uprising against Napoleon in 1808
• June 24: San Juan — Midsummer night with beach fires, especially on the Mediterranean coast
• July 25: Santiago Apóstol (Galicia) — St. James' Day in Santiago de Compostela
• September 11: Diada (Catalonia) — National holiday, often with independence demonstrations

Spain is one of the safest countries in Europe for women traveling alone. Gender equality has made enormous progress since democratization — Spain was one of the first countries with a law against gender-based violence (2004) and has a progressive Ministry of Equality.

Safety

• Going out alone, even at night, is normal and safe in most cities. Spanish women regularly go out alone or in groups
• Busy old towns, beach promenades, and nightlife districts are populated until late at night — the late dining culture ensures streets are rarely deserted
• Machismo still exists, especially among older generations and in the rural south, but manifests more in (annoying) comments (Piropos) than in aggressive behavior
• In clubs and bars, the same precautions apply as everywhere: don't leave drinks unattended, inform friends

Practical Tips

• Eating alone in restaurants is completely normal in Spain — no one looks at you strangely
• Book accommodations in central locations — well-lit areas with nightlife
• The "AlertCops" app (official police app) allows direct contact with the police in an emergency with GPS location
• Emergency number 112 (Europe-wide, multilingual)

For EU citizens, the situation has been as simple as possible since 2017: EU roaming means you use your German data volume in Spain without surcharge — calls, SMS, and data just like at home.

For Non-EU Travelers

If you need a Spanish prepaid SIM:

• Lycamobile: Cheapest provider, SIM cards available in kiosks and Locutorios (phone shops). 10 GB for about €10
• Orange Holidays: Specially for tourists — 20 GB + 120 minutes EU-wide for €20, in Orange shops
• Vodafone/Movistar: Larger providers with better network in rural areas
• eSIM (Airalo, Holafly): Buy and activate online in advance — no physical SIM swap needed

Important: When purchasing a SIM card in Spain, ID (passport or ID card) is required.

Wi-Fi

Almost all hotels, hostels, and holiday apartments offer free Wi-Fi. Cafés and restaurants in cities too — just ask for the password (¿Cuál es la contraseña del wifi?). Libraries (Bibliotecas) offer free Wi-Fi and a quiet place to work.

Mobile Coverage

Network coverage is excellent in cities and along the coast (4G/5G). In the mountains (Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada) and sparsely populated inland areas, there are dead zones — especially away from main roads.

Spain does not have one climate, but at least five — from Atlantic humid in the north to continental extreme in the middle to subtropical in the Canaries.

Climate Zones

• Northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country): Atlantic climate — mild, humid, 1,200–2,000 mm of rain/year. Summer 20–25°C, winter 8–12°C. Similar to Ireland or Brittany. Best travel time: June to September
• Central Spain (Madrid, Castile): Continental climate — extreme contrasts. Scorching hot summers (35–42°C in Madrid), cold winters (0–8°C, frost possible). "Nine months of winter and three months of hell," say the Madrileños. Best travel time: April/May and September/October
• Mediterranean Coast (Barcelona to Almería): Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers (28–35°C), mild winters (10–16°C). 300+ sunny days. Best travel time: May/June and September/October (sea still warm, crowds gone)
• Southern Spain (Andalusia): Hottest climate in Europe — Córdoba and Seville regularly reach 45°C in July/August. Sightseeing in midsummer is a torture. Best travel time: March to May and October/November
• Canary Islands: Subtropical climate — year-round 20–28°C, warmer in winter than southern Spain. Northern sides of the islands are wetter (trade wind clouds), southern sides dry and sunny. Ideal: year-round, especially November to March as a winter escape

When to Go Where?

Spain is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world — and that's no exaggeration. In 2005, Spain became the third country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage (before Germany, before France, before the USA). Social acceptance is high: Over 85% of the population supports homosexuality — one of the highest rates worldwide.

The Open Atmosphere

Same-sex couples holding hands in Madrid, Barcelona, or Sitges are a completely normal sight. No one turns around. Spain has one of the most vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes in Europe:

• Madrid: The district of Chueca is Spain's LGBTQ+ center — bars, clubs, restaurants, boutiques, all rainbow-flagged. The Madrid Pride (Orgullo) in early July is one of the largest pride parades in the world with over 2 million participants
• Barcelona: The Eixample district (jokingly "Gayxample") is the center. The Circuit Festival (August) attracts 70,000 visitors
• Sitges: A small seaside town south of Barcelona, an international LGBTQ+ hotspot for decades. Carnival in Sitges is legendary
• Gran Canaria (Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés): Year-round LGBTQ+ destination with its own hotels, beaches, and nightlife
• Ibiza: Tolerant and queer-friendly since the 1970s

Legal Situation

Same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, and anti-discrimination laws — all legally enshrined. Since 2023, there is a progressive Trans Law that allows gender adjustment without a medical diagnosis. Spain regularly ranks in the top 10 of the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index.

Spain's media landscape is diverse, political, and passionate — newspapers are openly partisan, TV debates loud, and football omnipresent.

Newspapers

• El País: Largest daily newspaper, center-left. Excellent English online edition (english.elpais.com)
• El Mundo: Second largest, center-right. Strong in investigative journalism
• La Vanguardia: Catalonia's most important newspaper (Catalan and Castilian)
• ABC: Conservative-monarchist, oldest daily newspaper
• 20 Minutos: Free commuter newspaper, available everywhere in subways

Television

Spanish TV is loud, colorful, and takes some getting used to for German speakers. The main news (Telediario) airs at 3 and 9 p.m. on TVE1. Football dominates the sports channels. Talk shows (Tertulias) are political battlegrounds — guests talk simultaneously and shout at each other.

For German Speakers

On the Costa del Sol and in Mallorca, there are German-language media: Mallorca Zeitung, Costa del Sol Nachrichten, Mallorca Magazin. For news in English: The Local Spain, Sur in English.

Spain has a well-functioning emergency call system. The most important number:

Emergency Numbers

• 112: General emergency number (police, fire, ambulance) — Europe-wide, multilingual (English, French, German). Always the first choice!
• 091: Policía Nacional (criminal police, theft, assault)
• 092: Policía Local (city police, traffic, local matters)
• 062: Guardia Civil (rural areas, highways, coast guard)
• 061: Ambulance service (Ambulancia)

Police — Who is Responsible?

• Policía Nacional: In cities with over 30,000 inhabitants. Responsible for theft, passport/ID issues, filing reports (Denuncia). Sometimes speaks some English
• Guardia Civil: In rural areas, on highways, and coasts. Recognizable by olive green uniforms. Professional, sometimes a bit strict
• Policía Local / Municipal: City police for traffic and local order
• Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalonia) and Ertzaintza (Basque Country): Regional police forces that largely replace the Policía Nacional in these regions

In Case of Theft

File a Denuncia (report) with the Policía Nacional — necessary for insurance. In tourist cities, there are special "SATE" offices (Servicio de Atención al Turista Extranjero) with multilingual staff. Online reporting possible at denuncias.policia.es

Spanish opening hours follow the split day rhythm — the siesta is real, and those who want to shop at midday often face closed doors.

Typical Opening Hours

Special Features

• Sunday: Most shops are closed. Supermarkets (except Mercadona) often too. Bakeries open in the morning. Exceptions apply in tourist areas
• August: Many small shops and restaurants close for 2–4 weeks (especially in Madrid, where the heat is unbearable). Signs "Cerrado por vacaciones" (Closed for vacation) are ubiquitous
• Big Cities vs. Villages: In Barcelona and Madrid, the siesta break is increasingly disappearing. In small towns and in the south, it is sacred — between 14 and 17 o'clock everything is dead

Correos is Spain's national postal service — reliable, but not the fastest. Mailboxes are yellow.

Postcards & Letters

• Postcard/Letter to Germany: €1.65 (standard, up to 20g). Delivery time: 5–10 working days (sometimes longer)
• Stamps (Sellos): Available at post offices and tobacco shops (Estancos, recognizable by the brown "T" sign)
• Online postage: The Correos app allows digital postage

Packages

For packages to Germany, Correos is affordable (from about €15 for 2 kg) but slow (7–14 days). Faster: DHL Express, UPS, or FedEx — but significantly more expensive. GLS and DPD also have branches in Spain.

Spain is a safe travel destination — violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The only relevant risk: pickpocketing. And in certain hotspots, it's a veritable industry.

Pickpocketing — The Hotspots

• Barcelona: Europe's pickpocket capital. Especially dangerous: Las Ramblas, Plaça Catalunya, Metro (Line 3 to the port!), Sagrada Família area, beach (Barceloneta). Professional gangs work with distraction maneuvers
• Madrid: Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, Rastro flea market (Sundays), Metro during rush hour
• Seville: Cathedral, Barrio Santa Cruz, Feria grounds
• Rental Cars: Break-ins in parking lots at attractions (especially Costa del Sol, Barcelona). Don't leave anything visible in the car — not even an empty backpack

Protective Measures

• Leave valuables in the hotel safe. Only take what you need
• Wear a backpack in front of your body, especially in the Metro and crowds
• Handbag with zipper, worn across the body
• Don't let your phone stick out of your back pocket
• At the restaurant table, don't hang your bag over the chair back — keep it on your lap or wrap it around the chair leg
• At the beach: Never leave valuables unattended, take a waterproof phone case for swimming

Other Risks

• Scams: "Flower women" (hand you a flower and demand money), "petition collectors" (distraction for accomplices), fake police officers (the real ones always show ID)
• Traffic: Spaniards drive briskly but not aggressively. On country roads, locals overtake in blind spots — drive defensively. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰ (0.3‰ for novice drivers)
• Sea: Strong currents (Corrientes) and high waves on the Atlantic coast. Swim only at supervised beaches. Observe flags: Red = swimming prohibited, Yellow = caution, Green = safe

Spain uses 230 V alternating current, 50 Hz — identical to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Sockets are Type C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko). Travelers from the DACH region need no adapter.

Travelers from the UK, USA, or Australia need an adapter (Type C/F), available in airport shops, hardware stores (Leroy Merlin, Bricomart), and at El Corte Inglés.

Tips

• In older holiday apartments and campsites, sockets can be loose — a multi-plug with a short cable helps
• Bring a power bank for long sightseeing days in the heat (batteries discharge faster in heat)
• USB charging stations available in newer trains (AVE), airports, and many cafes

Tipping (propina) is common but not mandatory in Spain — and much more relaxed than in the USA. Spaniards tip less than Germans, and no one is offended if it doesn't happen.

Guidelines

Important to Know

• Tipping is given in cash, even if you pay by card. Best to leave coins on the table
• The bill already includes service and VAT (IVA) — the price on the menu is the final price
• In tapas bars at the counter, tipping is minimal — throw small change into the cup on the counter
• Spaniards leave the tip on the table (never hand it directly)

Within the EU (and Spain has been a member since 1986), there are no customs controls for personal use. You can take unlimited Jamón Ibérico and Rioja to Germany — as long as it's for personal consumption.

Within the EU — Guidelines for "Personal Use"

• Tobacco: 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1 kg of tobacco
• Alcohol: 10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of liqueur wine (Sherry!), 90 liters of wine, 110 liters of beer
• If exceeded, you must prove it's for personal use (wedding, party, etc.)

From Outside the EU (Canaries!)

Attention: The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the EU but have a special status (no EU VAT, instead IGIC of 7%). When entering from the Canaries to the Spanish mainland or Germany, the non-EU duty-free limits apply:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
• 1 liter of spirits over 22% or 2 liters under 22%
• 4 liters of wine, 16 liters of beer
• Goods up to €430 in value (air travel) or €300 (land/sea travel)

Prohibitions & Restrictions

• Food: No restrictions within the EU. Cheese, ham, olive oil — all allowed
• Conservation: No corals, shells, snail shells, animal specimens, or plants from nature reserves
• Medications: Personal needs for the duration of the trip, prescription medications require a doctor's certificate (preferably in English)
• Cultural Goods: Antiques and artworks over 50 years old require an export permit from the Spanish Ministry of Culture