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TRAVEL REPORT
Spain

1. RECENT UPDATES

The information contained in this Travel Report has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.

For more information on the CANARY ISLANDS, see Section 12.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Spain

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Travelling in Spain is relatively problem-free for most Canadians.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Terrorism

The Basque terrorist group ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna – “Basque Homeland and Liberty”) has carried out numerous shootings and bombings across Spain for five decades, resulting in many deaths and injuries. In spite of peace talks between the Spanish government and ETA, and despite a ceasefire agreement in 2006-2007, attacks continue to occur. The most recent incidents include small-scale bombings that occurred on the island of Mallorca in July and August 2009, a bombing in Madrid in February 2009, and another one in Arrigorriaga in the Basque region in June 2009. Spanish institutions, tourist destinations, and transportation hubs have been targeted in the past. Although the Spanish authorities have taken measures to prevent attacks and protect citizens and visitors, Canadians are advised to exercise caution at all times and in all places, to monitor local news, and to follow the advice of local authorities. In addition, there is still a risk of Islamist extremist terrorist attacks in Spain.

Crime

More Canadian passports are stolen each year in Spain—especially in Madrid and Barcelona—than anywhere else in the world. As a result, Canadian travellers are cautioned to ensure that their passports are protected at all times.

Petty crime and robbery against tourists occur, especially in larger cities, and particularly during holidays, festivals, and weekends, when tourist areas and attractions are very crowded. Violent crime is rare. Although assaults against foreigners are infrequent, reports of such attacks in connection with petty crime are a concern.
 
Canadians should be extremely cautious with their belongings at all times and in all places. Thefts occur often in Madrid. Known high-risk locations are the Puerta del Sol area and surrounding streets, Gran Vìa, Plaza Mayor, near the Prado Museum, the Atocha train station, Retiro Park, and on the subway. In Barcelona, thefts occur most frequently at the airport and on the airport shuttlebus (Aerobus), on Las Ramblas (often in Internet cafes), in Plaza Real and surrounding streets of the old city, on the subway, Barceloneta beach, Sagrada Familia church, and at the Sants train and bus station.

Pickpockets and purse snatchers use various techniques to distract their victims and steal their belongings, often without their knowledge. They work alone, in pairs, or in groups. They are especially active in crowded areas, including at airports, on public transportation, and in hotel lobbies, restaurants, outdoor cafes or tourist attractions, or on the road. They may pose as police officers and require that victims show them valuable belongings, such as passports, money, or cameras; or they may act like Good Samaritans and pretend to help.

Do not leave your food or drinks unattended. There have been incidents of food and beverages being spiked with drugs or other substances.

General safety information

Always ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Do not leave luggage unattended at any check-in or ticket counter. Always keep valuable belongings out of sight in cars, and keep windows closed when driving.

Keep a copy of your passport identification page, driver's licence, train or airline tickets, and credit cards; safeguard originals or copies.

Avoid frequenting unlit areas and down-market bars, especially at night.

Demonstrations

Avoid  demonstrations, protests, and large gatherings, as they can turn violent without notice. Strikes may occasionally interfere with services such as mail, telephone, and transport.

Scams

Canadians have reported lottery scams whereby they are contacted via the Internet or fax and informed that they have won a substantial prize in the Spanish lottery (El Gordo), when in fact they have never participated in the lottery. They are asked to deposit an amount of money in a bank account to pay taxes and other fees before collecting the prize or coming to Spain to close the transaction. There have also been reports of a recent scam whereby a person is informed that he or she is the recipient of a large inheritance, and that funds must be deposited into a Spanish bank account so the inheritance can be processed. Further information is available on the Scams and Fraud page of the Royal Canadian Mountain Police website.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Spanish authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Spain. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also have proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay and be in possession of an onward or return ticket.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days within a six month period)*
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Required

* The 90-day period starts upon the first entry into any country that is part of the Schengen Area.

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult the European Commission's website page on Cash controls.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Spanish authorities recognize same-sex marriages.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

Canadians in Spain and the Canary Islands can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Embassy of Canada in Madrid at the following address:

Spain - MADRID, Embassy of Canada
Address: Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Tel.: (34) 91 382 8400
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: (34) 91 382 8490
E-Mail: mdrid@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Spain.gc.ca

Consular assistance is also available from the consulates of Canada in Barcelona and Málaga at the following addresses:

Spain - BARCELONA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Plaça de Catalunya, 9, 1º, 2ª - 08002, Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: 34 934 127 236
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 34 933 170 541
E-Mail: bclna@international.gc.ca

Spain - MÁLAGA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Horizonte Building, Plaza de la Malagueta 2, 1st Floor, 29016 Málaga, Spain
Tel.: 34 95 222-3346
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 34 95 222-9533
E-Mail: cancon@microcad.es

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Madrid and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Good medical care is widely available.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Spain are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Spain to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Spanish authorities and can take up to two years to process.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Illegal and/or restricted activities

Persons convicted for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs can expect long jail sentences and fines.

In the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, and in the Balearic and Canary islands, the consumption of alcohol in the street, other than in authorized outdoor cafes and bars, has been banned by various municipal or regional authorities. Travellers must respect this law. Fines are imposed for failure to comply.

Photographing military installations is prohibited.

Canadians interested in purchasing property or making other investments should seek legal advice from appropriate professionals in Canada and in Spain before making commitments. Disputes arising from such activities could be prolonged and costly to resolve.

Dual nationality

Spain does not recognize dual nationality. Dual nationality may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What You Need to Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road travel

Driving habits in the country are often more erratic and reckless than in Canada.

In the event of a road-related incident, drivers should be extremely cautious about accepting help from anyone other than a uniformed Spanish police officer or Civil Guard. Thieves have been known to fake or provoke a flat tire, and when a motorist, wishing to act as a Good Samaritan, stops to help, the thieves steal the Samaritan’s car and/or visible belongings. The reverse scenario has also been known to occur, whereby a fake “Good Samaritan” stops to help a motorist in distress, only to steal the motorist’s car and/or belongings.

Theft from rental vehicles is high. Drivers of rented cars should also be vigilant in service areas on the highways along the coast. Avoid leaving any luggage or valuables in the vehicle, and use secure parking facilities.

The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless phones are fitted with a hands-free device.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, or 0.03% for new drivers. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences, and loss of their driving licence.

All vehices travelling to or transiting through Spain are legally required to be equipped with two red warning triangles that motorists must place in front of and behind the vehicle in case of accident or breakdown. Vehicles must also be equipped with a reflective jacket that a driver must wear when leaving a vehicle that is stranded or involved in a highway accident. Drivers who fail to comply with these laws may be subject to on-the-spot fines. In addition, drivers are required to carry a spare tire, a full set of spare light bulbs, and the tools to change them.

Travellers may experience delays crossing between Spain and Gibraltar due to increased border controls.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. Travellers should note that an IDP can only be obtained from the CAA in Canada. However, Canadians can use provincial driver's licences for up to six months following their arrival in Spain, if the licence is accompanied by an official translation., however, Canadians can use provincialdriver's licences for up to six months following their arrival in Spain, if the licence is accompanied by an official translation.

Public transportation

All major cities have metered taxis. Any extra charges must be posted in the vehicle.

Beware of taxi drivers who try to overcharge by not turning on the meter; this warning also applies to illegal taxis operating at the airport.

Rail service is reliable but varies in quality and speed. High-speed trains link Madrid to Seville, Madrid to Málaga and Madrid to Barcelona.

Intercity buses are usually comfortable and inexpensive.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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Spain uses the euro (EUR) as its currency. All major credit cards are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be changed at banks and exchange offices (cambios). ABMs are widely available.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Over the past few years, drought has become a concern in the capital. There is a high risk of fires during the summer months. Check with local authorities on the rules for camping and lighting fires. In case of forest fires, travellers should follow the advice of local emergency services personnel, stay away from affected areas, and monitor local media sources for up-to-date information. Travellers with respiratory ailments should take into account that the air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

Torrential rainfall and storms are common between the months of September and November in the regions of Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

The weather in mountainous areas can be unpredictable. If you are planning a mountaineering or skiing holiday, you are advised to visit the website of the Spanish Tourist Office in Canada for information on weather and safety conditions. Information is also available on the Spanish government's weather site.

Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Madrid or the Consulate of Canada in Barcelona or Málaga in the event of an emergency (see Section 5, above).

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

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12. ANNEX

Canary Islands

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Travellers should confirm their booking arrangements before entering or leaving the Canaries.

On August 1, 2009, thousands of residents were evacuated from the Island of La Palma due to wildfires. The most affected zones include the area located south-east of the San Antonio volcano, and the town of Fuencaliente, located south-west of Santa Cruz de La Palma Airport. Travellers should contact their airline or tour operator before travelling to La Palma. Travellers on the island should follow the advice of local emergency services personnel, stay away from affected areas, and monitor local media sources for up-to-date information. Travellers with respiratory ailments should take into account that the air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. Canadians requiring assistance may contact the Embassy of Canada in Madrid (see Section 5).

The Canary Islands enjoy a tropical climate. The driest months are from May to August. Temperature can get cold when in higher altitudes. Rainfall averages between 500mm, in higher altitudes, and 3000mm, in lower altitudes.

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